Are you overwhelmed by traditional Scrum's complexity? Scrum Lite offers the core benefits of agile development without the heavy process overhead.

Scrum Lite maintains the essential elements that make agile development effective while eliminating unnecessary ceremonies. We've designed this approach for small teams, startups, and organizations that need flexibility without sacrificing structure.

What Makes Scrum Lite Different

• Focused Meetings: Planning/review sessions as needed instead of multiple ceremonies
• Flexible Sprints: Adaptable timeboxes based on your project needs
• Minimal Documentation: Focus on working software over comprehensive documentation

Here you will find information, templates, and guides to help you implement Scrum Lite effectively. Whether you're new to agile methodologies or looking to streamline your existing processes, you'll find practical resources to support your journey.

Get started today and experience the benefits of agile development without the complexity.

1. Scrum Lite Guiding Principles
2. Scrum Lite Implementation Guides

Scrum Lite guide to development planning.

Planning to Plan: Preparation

Product Backlog Refinement

• Ensure top priority items are properly refined.
• Stories should include clear acceptance criteria.
• Dependencies should be identified and mapped.

Capacity Planning

• Calculate team capacity for the sprint.
• Account for planned time off, holidays, and meetings.
• Consider other commitments outside sprint work.
• Factor in historical velocity data.
• Reserve capacity for unexpected issues (typically 10-20%).

Sprint Planning Meeting Structure

Part 1: What Will Be Done

• Review and confirm sprint goal with team.
• Assess highest priority product backlog items.
• Discuss acceptance criteria in detail.
• Clarify any technical or business questions.
• Confirm team's understanding of requirements.
• Select items that align with sprint goal.
• Consider team capacity and velocity.

Part 2: How It Will Be Done

• Break down selected items into specific tasks.
• Estimate effort for each task (usually in hours).
• Identify technical dependencies.
• Consider different development approaches.
• Plan for potential risks and mitigation strategies.
• Document technical decisions and assumptions.
• Create initial task assignments.

Estimation Techniques

Story Point Estimation

• Compare stories to previously completed work.
• Consider complexity, uncertainty, and effort.
• Achieve team consensus on estimates
• Document estimation rationale.

Task-Level Estimation

• Break stories into tasks of 4-8 hours
• Include all aspects of development:
  • Design and coding
  • Testing and documentation
  • Code review
  • Integration and deployment
• Account for collaboration time
• Consider dependencies between tasks

Advanced Planning Techniques

Sprint Flow Planning

• Map out task sequence and dependencies
• Create swim lanes for different work types
• Plan for parallel work streams
• Identify critical path items
• Build in buffer for blockers

Risk Management

• Identify technical risks
• Plan spikes for unknown areas
• Include contingency time for complex items
• Document assumptions and constraints
• Create backup plans for high-risk items

Success Metrics and Monitoring

Sprint Health Indicators

• Burndown chart tracking
• Velocity consistency
• Story completion rate
• Technical debt accumulation
• Team satisfaction levels

Daily Adjustments

• Review sprint burndown
• Update remaining task hours
• Identify impediments early
• Adjust assignments as needed
• Maintain sprint goal focus

Best Practices

Team Engagement

• Ensure full team participation
• Encourage questioning and discussion
• Validate understanding through feedback
• Build consensus on commitments
• Maintain focus on sprint goal

Time Management

• Keep planning timeboxed (maximum 8 hours)
• Use timeboxed discussions for complex items
• Take regular breaks
• Park detailed technical discussions
• Schedule follow-up sessions as needed

Documentation

• Record key decisions
• Document technical approaches
• Note assumptions and dependencies
• Capture action items
• Update sprint backlog

Quality Focus

• Include testing tasks
• Plan for code reviews
• Consider non-functional requirements
• Include documentation tasks
• Plan for technical debt reduction

Scrum Lite heavily relies on team communication through less formal channels to deliver results. Below are communications objectives by role.

Product Person

1. Align stakeholders on vision and strategy
   • Clearly articulate the product vision and how it serves business goals
   • Ensure executives, developers, and other teams understand product priorities
2. Translate between technical and business perspectives
   • Communicate technical concepts to business stakeholders without jargon
   • Explain business requirements to development teams in relevant technical context
3. Manage expectations and build trust
   • Set realistic timelines and deliverables
   • Communicate trade-offs transparently when resources are constrained
4. Share customer insights effectively
   • Communicate user needs, pain points, and feedback to influence product decisions
   • Use data, user research, and stories to build empathy for customers
5. Facilitate decision-making
   • Provide clear rationales for product decisions based on data and strategy
   • Document and communicate decisions to prevent revisiting settled issues
6. Drive team collaboration
   • Foster open communication between design, engineering, marketing, and sales
   • Create a culture where concerns can be raised early

The most successful product managers tailor their communication style to different audiences while maintaining consistency in the core message across all stakeholders.

Project Manager

1. Establish clear project expectations
   • Define scope, timeline, budget, and deliverables unambiguously
   • Ensure all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities
2. Provide regular status updates
   • Keep stakeholders informed about progress, milestones, and achievements
   • Communicate changes to scope, timeline, or budget promptly
3. Identify and communicate risks
   • Alert stakeholders to potential issues before they become problems
   • Present mitigation strategies alongside risk identification
4. Facilitate cross-functional coordination
   • Bridge communication gaps between different departments and teams
   • Ensure information flows efficiently between all project contributors
5. Escalate issues appropriately
   • Know when and how to escalate problems that threaten project success
   • Present issues with potential solutions rather than just highlighting problems
6. Document decisions and changes
   • Maintain clear records of project decisions and their rationale
   • Ensure change requests follow proper protocols and are communicated to all affected parties
7. Foster team cohesion
   • Create an environment where team members communicate openly
   • Facilitate resolution of conflicts that might impact project delivery

The most effective project managers adapt their communication approach based on the audience while maintaining transparency and consistency in messaging throughout the project lifecycle.

Engineering/Development/Designer

1. Clearly explain technical concepts
   • Translate complex technical details into understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders
   • Articulate the reasoning behind technical decisions and approaches
2. Set realistic expectations about technical work
   • Provide accurate time estimates for development tasks
   • Communicate technical constraints and limitations honestly
3. Document code and technical decisions
   • Write clear documentation for future team members
   • Record architectural decisions and their rationale
4. Raise technical concerns early
   • Flag potential technical issues before they become critical problems
   • Propose alternative approaches when identifying technical roadblocks
5. Collaborate effectively with team members
   • Share knowledge with fellow engineers
   • Communicate clearly during code reviews and technical discussions
6. Update stakeholders on progress
   • Report development status in terms that matter to the project
   • Communicate technical milestones achieved and challenges encountered
7. Request clarification when requirements are ambiguous
   • Ask targeted questions to resolve uncertainty
   • Confirm understanding of requirements before beginning implementation

Effective engineer communicators balance technical precision with accessibility, knowing when deep technical details are necessary and when higher-level explanations are more appropriate based on their audience.

The Scrum Lite guide to the daily stand-up.

The concept of ceremonies introduced in Scrum attempts to solve some communication problems. Ceremony, when taken to the extreme, causes more problems that it solves. Increasing communication at the expense of the project is an agile defeat. Ceremonies, when performed without understanding of their significance, are a waste of time.

If project Communication Guidelines are being utilized, then ceremonies add no value.

In lieu of the daily stand-up ceremony, Scrum Lite sets forth the following objectives and communication strategies.

No Surprises

Inform team leaders immediately of any issues that arise. A team leader or manager should never hear of an issue from a third-party only to find out later another team member was already aware.

Meet Expectations

The team members are expected to be working on tasks assigned or tasks relevant to high priority items for their respective role.

Daily Check-In Alternative

If everyone is focused on their tasks and contributing to the project, then the Project Manager may send a message to each team member. e.g.

Simple, but effective:

• Team members can respond as they are able.
• Demonstrates the Project Manager's role in assisting the team.
  • Note that Scrum Master is not a role or term used in Scrum Lite.
• Reassures that we are all working towards the same goals.

The initial project setup for a Scrum Lite implementation is the very similar to a traditional Scrum project.

Scrum Lite simplifies several pieces. See call-outs below for details.

1. Form the Core Team

• Appoint a Product Person who will be responsible for maximizing product value and managing the product backlog.
• Designate a Project Manager to facilitate the process, remove impediments, and ensure development practices are followed.
• Assemble the Development Team (typically 3-7 members) with cross-functional skills needed to deliver the product, at minimum:
  • Full-stack software engineer
  • DevOps engineer
  • UX designer

2. Create the Product Vision

• Conduct a vision workshop with stakeholders.
• Define the product's purpose, target users, and key benefits.
• Document high-level goals and success criteria.
• Establish alignment with organizational objectives.

3. Develop the Initial Product Backlog

• Work with stakeholders to gather requirements.
• Create user stories that capture customer needs.
• Prioritize items based on business value.
• Break down large items into smaller, manageable pieces.
• Add initial estimates to help with planning.

4. Plan the Release

• Define the release schedule and milestones.
• Determine sprint length (typically 2-4 weeks).
• Set initial velocity assumptions.
• Create a high-level release roadmap.
• Identify dependencies and risks.

5. Set Up the Environment

• Establish the physical and/or virtual team workspace.
• Select and configure necessary tools:
  • Project management software
  • Version control system
  • Continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) pipeline
  • Communication platforms, including:
    • audio, visual, text
    • charts, graphs, etc.

6. Define Working Agreements

• Establish Definition of Done (DoD).
• Create team working hours and availability expectations.
• Set communication protocols/expectations.
• Define quality standards and coding guidelines.
• Agree on testing and documentation requirements.

7. Plan the First Sprint

• Conduct the initial Sprint Planning meeting.
• Select items from the Product Backlog.
• Break down items into tasks.
• Create the Sprint Backlog.
• Set the Sprint Goal.

8. Establish Good Communication Habits

• Development Team communications
  • Daily Check-ins
• Project Management communications
  • Sprint Planning (1-2 hours)
  • Sprint Review with Stakeholders (1 hour)
• Set up backlog refinement sessions as necessary.
• Every meeting should have a published agenda.

9. Launch and Monitor

• Begin the first sprint.
• Track progress daily.
• Collect metrics and feedback.
• Adjust processes based on team needs.
• Document lessons learned.

10. Continuous Improvement

• Regular process evaluation.
• Team feedback incorporation.
• Adjustment of practices as needed.
• Ongoing training and skill development.
• Regular stakeholder engagement.

Each role has distinct responsibilities in day-to-day project operations:

Product Person

• Creates and maintains the product backlog
• Writes user stories and acceptance criteria
• Prioritizes backlog items based on business value
• Reviews and approves completed tickets
• Creates epics that align with product roadmap
• Participates in backlog refinement to clarify requirements
• Uses system generated reports to track product progress and make decisions
• Links tickets to strategic goals and initiatives

Project Manager

• Sets up and configures the project structure
• Creates sprints and manages the sprint planning process
• Keeps daily activities updated using the ticket tracking board
• Identifies blockers and dependencies between tickets
• Tracks velocity and burndown charts
• Manages scope changes and adjusts timelines
• Generates status reports for stakeholders
• Facilitates retrospectives and documents action items
• Ensures workflow processes are followed

Development Team

• Estimates effort for tickets during refinement
• Updates ticket status as work progresses
• Breaks down complex stories into subtasks
• Logs work time against tickets
• Links code commits/pull requests to tickets
• Documents technical decisions and implementation notes
• Adds comments to communicate blockers or questions
• Creates and links bug tickets to related features
• Updates acceptance criteria with test results
• Participates in ticket reviews before marking work complete

These roles often overlap and collaborate, with the ticketing system serving as the central hub for communication, tracking, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

In software development, accountability related to developer/creator independence involves:

Ethical Responsibility

• Personal accountability for code quality and impact
• Transparent decision-making processes
• Clear ownership of technological contributions

Performance Standards

• Measurable individual and team performance metrics
• Objective evaluation of technical contributions
• Mechanisms for professional skill validation

Transparency Mechanisms

• Open communication about project challenges
• Clear documentation of technical decisions
• Traceable development processes

Professional Integrity

• Maintaining high standards of technical practice
• Willingness to acknowledge and rectify errors
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement

Governance Frameworks

• Balanced power structures in development environments
• Protections against unethical organizational pressures
• Mechanisms for independent professional judgment

Core principle: Enabling developers to maintain professional standards, make responsible technological choices, and preserve individual agency within collaborative environments.

Visibility in software development relates to developer/creator independence through:

Transparent Work Recognition

• Clear attribution for code contributions
• Public acknowledgment of individual innovations
• Mechanisms tracking individual developer impact

Professional Reputation Management

• Open platforms showcasing developer skills
• Verifiable contribution histories
• Portable professional credentials

Community Engagement

• Accessible contribution pathways
• Open-source participation opportunities
• Platforms enabling global professional networking

Knowledge Sharing

• Mechanisms for documenting and distributing expertise
• Unrestricted access to technical insights
• Collaborative learning environments

Performance Validation

• Objective metrics for evaluating developer contributions
• Transparent skill assessment frameworks
• Merit-based professional advancement opportunities

Core principle: Empowering developers to demonstrate, validate, and leverage their professional capabilities through open, accessible, and verifiable mechanisms.

In software development, safety in the context of developer/creator independence involves:

Ethical Protection

• Shield developers from exploitative work environments
• Prevent forced participation in harmful projects
• Maintain professional integrity and personal values

Legal Safeguards

• Protect intellectual property rights
• Ensure fair compensation and attribution
• Defend against unauthorized use of code/innovations

Security Independence

• Control over personal data and development artifacts
• Robust mechanisms preventing unauthorized access
• Transparent security practices

Intellectual Freedom

• Protection from retaliatory actions
• Freedom to critique or challenge technological practices
• Ability to whistleblow without professional repercussions

Risk Mitigation

• Mechanisms to identify and manage professional risks
• Clear boundaries in project engagements
• Ability to disengage from potentially dangerous projects

Core objective: Creating a professional ecosystem where developers can innovate, collaborate, and contribute without compromising personal safety, ethical standards, or professional autonomy.

Software development flexibility encompasses:

Technology Adaptability

• Rapid integration of new technologies
• Easy pivot between development approaches
• Minimal friction when exploring innovative solutions

Scalability Options

• Dynamic system design supporting growth
• Modular architectures allowing incremental expansion
• Ability to restructure systems without complete rebuilds

Workflow Customization

• Personalized development methodologies
• Flexible project management approaches
• Adaptable collaboration and communication strategies

Resource Management

• Dynamic allocation of computational resources
• Cost-efficient scaling models
• Platform-agnostic deployment capabilities

Continuous Evolution

• Rapid iteration and prototype development
• Quick response to changing project requirements
• Minimal technical debt accumulation

Principle: Maintaining maximum maneuverability in technological and procedural decision-making, enabling developers to respond swiftly to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Technical autonomy in software development encompasses:

Tool Selection Independence

• Choose programming languages without restrictions
• Select development environments, IDEs, and frameworks based on individual preference
• Use cross-platform tools that prevent vendor lock-in

Architectural Freedom

• Design software architectures without technological constraints
• Implement microservices, monolithic, or hybrid structures
• Select optimal design patterns for specific project requirements

Infrastructure Flexibility

• Deploy on diverse infrastructure (cloud, on-premises, hybrid)
• Use containerization and virtualization technologies
• Select hosting and scaling strategies independently

Technology Stack Customization

• Mix and match technologies across different layers
• Integrate open-source and proprietary components
• Create custom solutions without ecosystem limitations

Performance and Optimization Control

• Optimize code without external performance mandates
• Choose performance measurement and improvement strategies
• Implement custom optimization techniques

Core benefit: Developers maintain full technological agency, making decisions based on project needs and personal expertise rather than external dictates.