From an agile framework perspective, Scrum continues to be the preferred option for businesses. As remote teams continue to be the norm, the framework’s flexibility allows IT companies and nearshore development teams to adapt and use this approach to manage complex projects.
At Asinpa, we combine the strengths of Scrum with the many advantages of nearshoring.
What is Scrum?
Despite being a lightweight Agile framework, Scrum is made up of a powerful set of principles, values and practices. The Scrum methodology enables teams to deliver goods and services in short cycles, which facilitates faster feedback, continued improvement and quicker adaptation to change. As a result, projects are completed at an accelerated pace, taking an idea from birth to delivery more efficiently. Ultimately, it results in higher efficiency and optimal outcomes for IT businesses.
When this methodology and framework is applied to nearshoring, it can help businesses save money and lower risks, which ultimately, results in software products of a higher quality—and happier customers.
Scrum and IT nearshore development
Promoting an incremental approach that underscores the Five Scrum Values for continual success is based upon feedback and collaboration. With IT nearshore development, despite Scrum teams being in different locations, the concept remains the same, with fundamentals including the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team. Work must be conducted in Sprints, and regular meetings to plan milestones along the way. Additionally, sprint reviews, retrospectives and daily stand-ups must be carried out.
With the help of tools and technology, Scrum teams can communicate and collaborate seamlessly, despite their location, via real-time communication.
Below are some essential elements of Scrum methodology in nearshoring:
Sprint management
Sprint planning is vital if teams in IT nearshore projects are to succeed, and during the process, collaboration must be carried out with the Product Owner to help define upcoming goals for sprints, and to put tasks in order of priority depending upon how important they are and their dependencies.
In nearshoring, differing time zones must also be considered if maximum efficiency is to be achieved, and clear sprint goals can help with this. Scrum’s approach focuses on delivering incremental value to the customer at the end of each sprint. This approach is particularly beneficial in nearshoring, as it allows stakeholders to see tangible progress regularly.
To manage an agile project more effectively, it’s essential to carry out demos and sprint reviews, with all completed work being merged and tested. Once tested, the work is shown to the Product Owner during sprint review meetings. Such meetings ensure continual refinement and improvement of processes, which ultimately leads to smoother execution of the project as a whole.
Virtual daily stand-ups
For proper syncing of all members of IT nearshore teams, virtual daily stand-ups must be carried out to share plans for the working day, set agendas, and talk about any challenges that may be faced. They need only be fifteen minutes or so, but timing must be carefully considered to account for differing time zones.
Backlog management
Backlog management involves the continued refining of a product backlog. The goal being to turn a list of to-do’s, features or enhancements into easy-to-understand tasks for development teams. With efficient techniques for managing backlog, nearshoring teams can be better aligned internally and with the client.
By holding backlog refinement sessions on a regular basis, nearshoring IT teams can discuss items in the product backlog, raise and answer questions, and identify any risks that may arise. With every sprint that takes place, such sessions can help teams better understand the why’s and how’s behind the work, and deliver valuable increments of a higher quality. In terms of customer satisfaction, backlog refinement sessions can help ensure that solutions are delivered in a manner that is customer-centric.
Retrospective meetings
Essential for helping drive improvement and maintain a high level of collaboration between teams, retrospective meetings in both Scrum and Agile methodologies should be held in environments that are safe for all team members to openly share their ideas and opinions, and which are conducive to effective collaboration.
Giving the Scrum team the opportunity to scrutinize their past performance, along with processes and interactions, retrospective meetings help to promote transparency and boost effectiveness, and give teams the chance to put any necessary improvements in place.
Retrospective meetings are vital in Asinpa’s nearshore Scrum projects, enabling continuous improvement, enhanced collaboration, and a deepened understanding of our team’s dynamics. By embracing and prioritizing this powerful tool, we maximize our team’s potential, ultimately delivering excellent value to our customers.
Scrum can be an incredibly powerful methodology in nearshore software development, and by expertly blending the two, it can prove extremely beneficial for fast-paced projects that are continually evolving; enabling them to achieve optimal outcomes. For more information on Scrum and how it can help your business, contact Asinpa today.