Microsoft and Scrum Integration Revisited

 

In a previous blog, I wrote about the new plug-in for Visual Studio 2010 for Scrum that fully integrates the Scrum method with VS develoment using Team Foundation Server (TFS).  This blog from Brian Harry, a Product Unit Manager for Team Foundation Server in Microsoft, provides a glimpse into the next Scrum addition for the upcoming Visual Studio system called V.Next and TFS.  Unlike the previous version that you downloaded separately and plugged into VS 2010, this next version seems like it will be integrated right out of the box.  

The Microsoft team did an internal company survey and found that 84% of teams they interviewed were using the Scrum method:

Though this survey was informal and done with Microsoft customers, I think it does underscore the general adoption of Agile and Scrum in particular, for the software development industry.  It has “crossed the chasm” to use a term by Geoffrey Moore, and is now pretty much entrenched in the mainstream.

One particular tool I’m excited about is the web based story/Kanban board where you can drag and drop story tasks within the board for a full visualization of Scrum sprints:

This would be a great way to do daily stand ups where your team can visually see sprint tasks updated in real time.  For distributed Scrum teams, these can be done through a virtual conference meeting.

Interestingly, the co-founder of Scrum Ken Schwaber, criticises the proposed implementation of Scrum in V.Next and TFS  since “the right process produces the right result (from Lean). Similarly, the right implementation of the right process produces the right result.  Only build tools for things in which you have expertise, not just the experience”.

While I can understand his concern, I think this is typical of a technology, process or methodology that crosses the chasm of early adopters and becomes mainstream.  The bottom line as usual, is the team and ScrumMaster’s ability to use the method and the tool effectively to deliver projects to customer satisfaction.