SCRUM Methodology in the ICT Sector

What Are ICTs?

ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) refer to the set of technological tools and resources that allow the creation, storage, transmission, and processing of information. Within this sector, we find various professional fields such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development.

According to INE data (2022), there are approximately 75.054 companies in the ICT sector in Spain, employing 621.333 workers. Moreover, this sector is expected to grow between 5,3% and 6,3% globally by 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing industries.

This rapid evolution makes it essential to manage projects that prioritise flexibility and the continuous delivery of value. This is where agile methodologies like SCRUM come into play. But how can SCRUM help small businesses and freelancers in the ICT sector improve performance and manage projects more efficiently? Let’s explore this further.

What is the SCRUM Methodology?

SCRUM is an agile project management methodology primarily used in software development but has also found its place in many other sectors. It’s based on the idea of breaking projects into short cycles called sprints, allowing teams to deliver functional results incrementally. This makes SCRUM ideal for projects where conditions and requirements change rapidly.

The "SCRUM Framework" defines the values, principles, and practices teams must follow. It consists of the team members, the artefacts, and the events necessary for managing this methodology.

1. SCRUM Team: All the individuals involved in the project.
   • Product Owners: Responsible for understanding the customer’s needs and defining project priorities, passing this information on to the development team.
   • SCRUM Masters: Experts in the SCRUM methodology, their main function is to remove any obstacles hindering the team’s progress, helping maintain productivity and encouraging creativity.
   • SCRUM Development Team: Responsible for executing the project, usually consisting of 5 to 7 members.
2. SCRUM Artefacts: Documents and reports created and used during the process.
   • Backlog: A dynamic list of tasks the team needs to complete, maintained by the product owner.
   • Sprint Backlog: Items selected for implementation during a sprint.
   • The Increment: The goal of the current sprint, plus the sum of results from previous sprints, representing the final product or service.
3. SCRUM Events: Regular meetings held by the team. These include:
   • Organising the backlog.
   • Sprint planning.
   • Conducting sprints.
   • Daily SCRUM meetings.
   • Sprint reviews.
   • Sprint retrospectives.

If you’re a freelancer or run a small business in the ICT sector, SCRUM can help you manage projects more efficiently. Let’s take a look at how it can assist you in your daily operations.

SCRUM in the ICT Sector

In such a dynamic environment, having structured and flexible methodologies provides your small business with an extra layer of security when dealing with changes. SCRUM offers numerous advantages, including:

• Increased flexibility: By using short sprints, teams can quickly adapt to changes in the environment or customer priorities.
• Improved team collaboration: Constant communication within the team fosters a collaborative atmosphere, reducing misunderstandings.
• Continuous value delivery: Each sprint aims to deliver a functional version of the product, ensuring steady progress.
• Better risk control: Regular evaluations and meetings ensure that issues and errors are quickly identified and corrected.

Implementing SCRUM is also straightforward, with many tools like Jira, Slack, or Asana available to help.

Here's a step-by-step guide to implementing it, including the necessary events:

SCRUM events are the regular meetings held by teams throughout the process.

1. Define the SCRUM team: Assign the three roles: product owner, SCRUM master, and development team.
2. Sprint planning: Before each work cycle, the team meets to establish objectives and tasks.
3. Sprint execution: Decide on the sprint duration, usually between one and four weeks.
4. Review and retrospective: After the sprint, the team evaluates what went well and what needs improvement.

As you can see, if one of your goals is to improve internal organisation and deliver results more quickly and efficiently, SCRUM is for you. Don’t hesitate to give it a try!

And if you want to discover more about agile methodologies, you can find additional information here.