Scrum of Scrums
Scaling Scrum: Scrum of Scrums
Scrum of Scrums (SoS) is a lightweight Agile scaling technique used to coordinate multiple Scrum teams working on the same product or project. It is not a full framework, but a communication approach to manage dependencies and collaboration between teams.
It extends the daily Scrum concept to a higher level where representatives from each team meet to align progress, risks, and dependencies.
Scrum of Scrums helps multiple teams stay aligned by enabling regular cross-team communication and dependency management.
What is Scrum of Scrums?
Scrum of Scrums is a meeting where selected representatives (usually Scrum Masters or team delegates) from multiple Scrum teams come together to discuss progress, challenges, and dependencies.
It ensures that multiple teams working on the same product stay synchronized and deliver an integrated outcome.
Why Scrum of Scrums is Needed?
| Challenge | How Scrum of Scrums Helps |
|---|---|
| Multiple teams working independently | Creates a structured communication channel between teams. |
| Dependency conflicts | Identifies and resolves cross-team dependencies early. |
| Delayed integration | Encourages frequent synchronization between teams. |
| Lack of visibility | Improves transparency across teams. |
How Scrum of Scrums Works
- Each Scrum team selects a representative (often Scrum Master or senior developer).
- Representatives attend a regular SoS meeting (daily or few times per week).
- Each representative shares updates about their team’s progress.
- Dependencies, risks, and blockers are discussed.
- Action items are identified and followed up in next meeting.
Scrum of Scrums Structure
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Team Representatives | Members who represent each Scrum team. |
| Scrum of Scrums Meeting | Cross-team coordination meeting. |
| Shared Goals | Alignment on product or release goals. |
| Dependency Tracking | Managing inter-team dependencies. |
Scrum of Scrums vs Daily Scrum
| Daily Scrum | Scrum of Scrums |
|---|---|
| Within a single Scrum team | Between multiple Scrum teams |
| Team members update progress | Team representatives share updates |
| Focus on Sprint tasks | Focus on cross-team dependencies |
| 15-minute timebox | Short coordination meeting (15–30 minutes) |
Benefits of Scrum of Scrums
- Improves communication between multiple teams.
- Helps identify dependencies early.
- Reduces integration issues.
- Improves transparency at scale.
- Keeps teams aligned toward a common goal.
Limitations of Scrum of Scrums
- Not a formal framework, only a coordination technique.
- Effectiveness depends on meeting discipline.
- May become ineffective if not timeboxed properly.
- Does not replace full scaling frameworks like SAFe or LeSS.
Example Scenario
A project has 5 Scrum teams working on different modules of the same product. Scrum of Scrums helps these teams coordinate daily, resolve dependencies, and ensure that the final product integrates smoothly without surprises.
Interview Question
Question: What is Scrum of Scrums and when is it used?
Answer: Scrum of Scrums is a coordination technique used to manage communication between multiple Scrum teams working on a single product. It is used when multiple teams need to align their work, manage dependencies, and ensure integrated delivery. Representatives from each team meet regularly to discuss progress, risks, and blockers.
Conclusion
Scrum of Scrums is a simple yet powerful scaling technique that helps multiple Scrum teams stay aligned and coordinated. It improves communication, reduces dependencies issues, and supports smooth integration across teams.