Implementing Scrum in the Real World
A Pragmatic Guide
By Michael Vizdos
Scrum Cartoons, deep dives, and the most practical Scrum wisdom you’ll find. Period.
Implementing Scrum in the real world is a journey (and it’s not linear). Are you starting, practicing, coaching, or leading Scrum Teams within your organization? Context Matters.
Welcome. My name is Michael Vizdos (creator of the Original Scrum Chicken and Pig Cartoons).
I am here to help guide you through your journey of Implementing Scrum. Together.
Questions?
Contact me today. Really. I am available for a conversation together (or ping me on LinkedIn).
What is Scrum?
And Why Does “Implementing” It Matter?
Scrum isn’t process theater or a “safe” set of best practices.
It’s a lightweight, purposefully incomplete framework for teams and organizations that need to deliver real value in a world where problems keep changing.
Scrum’s Underlying Power:
Empiricism & Lean
Scrum is built on empiricism (learn by DOING, not guessing) and lean thinking (focus on eliminating waste, keep only what adds value).
The Three Pillars Of Scrum:
Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation
Scrum only works if everything’s visible, always inspected, and constantly adapted based on real outcomes. If you skip one, you’re just playing Scrum.
Scrum Values Turn Theory Into Action:
Trust is the Glue
Success rides on commitment, focus, openness, respect, courage—and above all, trust. The best Scrum Teams are built on psychological safety and honest conversation.
Scrum Team Accountabilities:
No Fakes, No “Roles” Games
You need three real, explicit accountabilities for a Scrum Team to work:
Product Owner:
Owns the backlog, clarifies and prioritizes work, connects every action to the Product Goal, and has the courage (and authority) to say “no.”
Developers:
Do the work (design, code, test, document), collaborate daily to adapt and plan, and ensure everything meets “done” quality.
Scrum Master:
Coaches and unblocks, upholds Scrum theory and values, and drives team improvement—never just a “process cop.”
Why so explicit? If anyone wears two hats, accountability suffers.
Scrum Events & Activities:
Making Real Progress in Rhythm
Every event in Scrum exists to maximize learning and delivery; no filler meetings.
The Sprint
The heartbeat. One month or less. Everything happens here—inspect and adapt all the way to usable, valuable increments.
Sprint Planning
PO clarifies “why,” Developers pick what and how, Scrum Master keeps the focus tight and time-boxed.
Daily Scrum
15 minutes, owned by Developers: real, adaptive planning (not a status report).
Sprint Review
Working session with stakeholders; demo the increment, adapt the backlog, and most importantly—learn.
Sprint Retrospective
Scrum Master crafts space for honest reflection. Team together agrees on one concrete improvement.
Product Backlog Refinement
Not an official “event”—but essential. Whole team (not just PO!) clarifies, slices, and prepares work for the next Sprint.
Scrum Artifacts & Commitments:
Visibility and Alignment, Not Red Tape
Product Backlog → Product Goal
The evolving, transparent list of everything needed. Product Owner steers. Developers clarify, split, and estimate. Scrum Master ensures refinement is collaborative.
Sprint Backlog → Sprint Goal
What Developers plan for the Sprint: what to do, how to do it, why it matters.
Commitment: Sprint Goal: The anchor for team focus and adaptation.
Increment → Definition of Done
The real, valuable work that meets your “done” bar—potentially shippable, fully integrated with all previous increments.
Commitment: Definition of Done: The “no-excuses” standard for quality and completeness.
Why These Scrum Artifacts Matter
Focus: Clear direction and a single team priority every Sprint.
Transparency: No hidden WIP, no mystery progress—just real, inspectable work.
Adaptation: Easily spot what to improve next.
Real Scrum?
Use the Whole System.
You can’t cherry-pick. “ScrumBut” leads to pain.
Leadership in Scrum:
It’s About Safety and Focus, Not Control
Modern Scrum leaders build environments of trust, clarity, and learning.
Focus. #deliver
(Doing Less to Achieve More)
Forget the “hustle.” Scrum is about doing less—but finishing and delivering more.
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