Can we conduct audits in agile framework especially scrum?

Agile Information Technology Scrum

Salman Morris, PMP Project Manager| CareCloud Islamabad, Pakistan

Recently, in an agile conference in Pakistan, conducted a master class of agile audits, I didn't participated but I somehow stumble upon their master class agenda which says:

"How to transform your organization's approach to agile practices through cutting-edge agile audits?"

My question is, Is there any kind of room in agile approaches that can used as base for performing audits on agile team (scrum), it seems directly conflicting with agile principles, what your thoughts on this?

Posted: Oct 30, 2024 4:00 AM (Updated by author: Oct 30, 2024 4:06 AM)

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Danny PMP, PgMP

Community Champion

Senior Consultant Tokyo, Japan

You might be right to question the alignment of audits with agile principles. Traditional audits often emphasize compliance and control, which can contradict the agile focus on adaptability and team autonomy. However, if approached correctly, audits can serve as a tool for improvement rather than oversight. By focusing on facilitating discussions, promoting self-reflection, and identifying opportunities for growth, agile audits can enhance team performance while respecting the core values of agility. It’s all about the mindset and intent behind the audit process. Just my two cents.

Posted: Oct 30, 2024 5:46 AM

Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada

Salman -

The issue with traditional approaches to audits has been to emphasize adherence to the "how" (e.g. specific artifacts) as opposed to the "what" (i.e. achieving specific control objectives).

If the audit team takes a method agnostic approach by providing the delivery team with a list of control objectives which need to be met and examples of how those can be met across different delivery approaches, the team is empowered to define ways of working which will meet those objectives.

A simple example is requirements traceability. Whereas in a predictive delivery approach a traceability matrix document might be utilized, with a team using a work management tool such as JIRA, they could demonstrate traceability from higher-level work items (e.g. Epics) down to individual user stories, defects and so on.

Kiron

Posted: Oct 30, 2024 7:49 AM

Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sure. I was in charge to define all related to approach/process/method/tools in one of the largest companies in the world. The point here is to understand that this type of things are defined using level of abstractions. Then, governance is a level of abstraction. In the governance field, you can define what you need to audit independently of approach/process/method/tools. Just to comment we were audited for the greatest and well known firms in the world and our controls was related to SOX because the results impacted on stock value.

Posted: Oct 30, 2024 11:09 AM

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Can we conduct audits in agile framework especially scrum?

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