Scrum at Google

July 4, 2008 | By Joel Dehlin | 3 Comments

Jeff Sutherland is one of the co-creators of “scrum.” Scrum is an agile software methodology.

In this talk, Jeff describes how he consulted with Google on their AdWords project and helped them implement Scrum. It’s an enjoyable talk. I listened while cleaning my office this morning. Make sure you peek at the slides once in a while which flow as he talks. The Q&A at the end is good.

Ken said...

What I like best about it is that everyone is involved in the process and is contributing. Developers cant take too long and product owners/customers cant pile on more and more without the visable effect showing immediately.

I love it when we see the ROI (Return on Investment) because everyone has to accept the order in which things have to be done.

A Kaizen Blitz is also good to get some of the dust swept away.

I liked the idea about planning weddings using Scrum :-)

Do anyone know of good simple freeware Scrum software to keep track of backlog items, tasks etc?
I have used TFS myself but need something free and simple for a customers own needs.

Parker said...

So I am curious, do software teams employed by the Church actually use scrum?

[Joel: Not today. We have some teams that are more "agile" than others. We've been experimenting with different methodology flavors, but I'd call our processes more waterfall than agile today. But our big focus this year is being "fast and high quality." I believe a methodology like scrum will help us be better at both of those things so we'll be moving more and more in that direction.]

Scott said...

I have never been able to work in a place where “agile” works. So far as I can tell it just means that I am going to stay late.

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Joel Dehlin is the father of seven delightful children and the husband of one patient, wonderful woman. His primary love is being with his kids, but he doubles as the Chief Information Officer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More about Joel...


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