The origins of Agile Scrum can be traced back to the early 1990s when a group of software development practitioners began searching for more effective ways to address the challenges of traditional, plan-driven project management methodologies. This group, including Jeff Sutherland, Ken Schwaber, and others, sought to improve the speed, flexibility, and adaptability of software development processes.
In 1995, Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber co-presented a paper titled “SCRUM Software Development Process” at the OOPSLA conference, introducing the Scrum framework to the software development community. The term “Scrum” was borrowed from the game of rugby, where it refers to a method of restarting play after an interruption. The analogy of a rugby scrum, with the team working collaboratively to move the ball forward, resonated with the principles of the new software development framework.
Initially, Scrum was focused on small, co-located teams working on software development projects. The framework gained traction and popularity due to its emphasis on empirical process control, iterative development, and self-organizing teams. In 2001, Scrum, along with other Agile methodologies, was formalized and codified with the publication of the Agile Manifesto by a group of software industry leaders.
Since its inception, Scrum has evolved and expanded beyond its initial software development roots. It has been adopted in various industries and domains, including project management, product development, marketing, and more. The flexibility and adaptability of the Scrum framework have made it a popular choice for organizations seeking to embrace Agile principles and improve their ability to respond to change.
Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, the co-creators of Scrum, also founded the Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org, organizations that provide certification programs, training, and support for individuals and teams looking to implement Scrum effectively.
Today, Agile Scrum continues to evolve and be refined by practitioners and experts worldwide. It has become a dominant framework for Agile project management and software development, helping teams and organizations achieve higher productivity, better quality, and increased customer satisfaction.
