Scrum has made a major impact on the software development world in recent years by enabling teams to complete projects using an agile methodology. Now other industry sectors outside of software development are benefiting from the Agile Scrum approach.
A Scrum approach to project management often helps teams work together more efficiently and effectively to complete a common goal. This strategy has consistently helped improve organization, collaboration, and communication — often resulting in a higher quality finished product and better overall project team morale.
One of the central elements of the agile scrum process is the daily team meeting referred to as a “scrum.” This time is used to keep all group members focused on the most important priorities. Although the scrum methodology is typically associated with software development companies, other types of organizations are jumping on board to benefit from the scrum approach to project management.
Industry Sectors Currently Benefiting from an Agile Scrum Approach
Most companies are faced with hardships or difficult tasks at some point in time. By distributing the work among different members in a collaborative group setting, the task tends to become much simpler.
1. Education: Many universities are finding that scrum techniques help them better accomplish their goals. With many disparate departments and areas of interest in universities, things can become complicated and unorganized very quickly. And the importance of different university departments working together in cross-functional collaboration has never been greater. Using a scrum methodology has helped universities increase organization and effectiveness.
2. Construction: Major construction projects usually carry high capital and regulation risks and tough schedules. Over the past few years, a number of companies have turned towards Agile methodologies to plan, design and execute their projects. Agile has been particularly useful for the companies to make real-time decisions, ensure effective collaboration and communication and aligning all the milestones towards the final goal to be accomplished.
3. Automotive: Some vehicle manufacturers have begun to adopt a scrum approach to project management as well. Because the traditional auto industry tends to operate in slower development cycles, an agile scrum approach offers an opportunity to speed up the pace of innovation. An increasing number of companies and industries are relying on an agile scrum approach to keep projects moving in an organized and efficient manner.
4. Marketing / Advertising: Agile methods help companies take better decisions and enhance their productivity. An example is of Teradata Applications, which is in the business of selling software for the purpose of supporting marketing. The company made use of Agile methodologies to automate workflow and approval processes. They credit Scrum Agile techniques for the improved communications in within the project which has helped them enhance their processes.
5. Event planning: In the past few years, Agile Scrum methodology has made life much easier for event planning firms. Its ability to make real-time changes based on the feedback given and a robust iterative framework makes Agile a tailor-made solution for event planning companies.
Redgate was not satisfied with its rigid approach which made it difficult to respond to any change in the requirements. This led to uncalled for stress at their work. Adopting Agile gave them the freedom to implement and execute their projects with the much-needed agility. This has helped the company in meeting tight deadlines and ensuring the utmost satisfaction of the end customer.
6. Product development: A number of Agile principles have their roots in manufacturing. This makes it useful for a wide range of industries outside the IT landscape.
Wikispeed came up with a functional prototype of a 100 mpg car in just three months using Agile radical management methods. In comparison, an orthodox manufacturing process is a long process spanning over multiple years. With the help of Agile, the team at Wikispeed has been able to bring innovation at a much faster pace in an industry where development cycles can go on for decades. Using one-week-long ‘sprints’ under the Agile model has worked wonders for Wikispeed and its project.
7. Finance related companies: Facing emerging challenges on technology platforms, risk management systems and payment processions, an increasing number of financial services companies across the world are adopting Scrum to keep up with the expectations of the customers.
Principal Financial Group, an insurance provider and retirement planning firm, started using agile methodologies to ensure that business and IT unit leaders come together on the requirements of the feature in sprints which are two weeks long. In case any feature breaks down, it can be retrieved without the need of taking the entire app back. The entire staff of the company has been very receptive to the adoption of Scrum Agile.
8. Military: The U.S. government, particularly various military groups, is another organization that relies on scrum to successfully operate. A scrum approach is often used when deploying ships or keeping different units on the same track. When good communication that is efficient and effective is a life and death matter, scrum proves to offer a helpful framework.
The next time you use a smartphone app, or go shopping for a new car, you can bet that scrum project management may have been implemented to create your device. Scrum can be beneficial to any organization or company willing to make the move from a more traditional approach to project management (often top-down), to a more collaborative, cross-functional so-called “agile” process.
While there is plenty of online information about the scrum process it may also be helpful to participate in group training where you can ask questions and learn from other people already using this approach.
PSM Scrum Master Reviews: Stories from Our Customers
Over the past 2 years, almost 3,000 learners (2,819 to be exact) have come to DCM to learn more about scrum and get certified. Read (and watch) their reviews to see how our courses have helped them achieve their career goals.
Inhouse Tailored Training for Your Team
We provide training programs that are developed by industry, for industry. Our range of programs can be delivered in a way that suits the needs of your business to offer your employees learning that is accessible and flexible.
We add value to your business by providing specialised, flexible and scalable training that meets your training needs. As your workforce grows and evolves, our globally certified and industry-validated learning solutions can assess, train and qualify your employees. For more information on how we can help please visit the in-house training page.
Membership, Stay Connected. Stay Relevant.
Completing a program is a point-in-time exercise that delivers huge value, but there is a next step to maintaining the currency of your skills in the ever-evolving professional world.
Membership is the next step.
A unique platform, membership is designed to ensure that you are in tune and up-to-date with the latest tools, trends and developments. Being a member provides just-in-time training and continuous professional development, and an exclusive and evolving content library informed by subject matter experts and industry leaders.
