Agile rituals
Daily stand-up
Also called Daily scrum
A short daily check: what moved since yesterday, what's next, and what's in the way, so blockers surface early.
- Time10 to 15 minutes
- People3 to 10 people
- Steps3
What it's for
A stand-up exists to spot problems early, not to report status to a manager. Keep it short and about the work: what moved, what's next, and above all what's blocking someone. Anything that needs a discussion happens straight after, with only the people who need it.
A board helps remote teams keep it brief: everyone adds notes first, then the talk is only about blockers.
How to run it
Add your notes3 min
Each person adds what they finished, what's next, and any blocker.
Talk about blockers7 min
Go through the blockers only. Who can help?
Park discussions2 min
Anything longer goes to a follow-up with only the people needed.
Tips
- Stand-ups that run long are usually solving problems in the meeting. Park them.
- Look at the goal, not just the tasks: are we on track for the sprint goal?
Where it comes from
From Scrum, described by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland in the Scrum Guide, and from Extreme Programming. The three questions were part of earlier editions of the Scrum Guide.
Pairs well with
Kanban board
Columns for each stage of the work, with a limit on how much can be in progress, so the team finishes before it starts more.
Sprint planning
Agree why the next sprint matters, what the team can take on, and how it will get it done.
Who, what, when
Close a session by writing each action with one owner and a date, so decisions turn into work instead of good intentions.