Developer – Best Practices for Daily Stand-Up or Daily Scrum – Rules and Regulations

Scrum is an Agile Software Development framework that helps teams complete projects efficiently while maintaining high quality. I wrote about this many years ago, but having recently participated in stand-up meetings again, I find them both engaging and insightful. While no one is perfect, and new team members regularly join organizations, the fundamentals of Scrum stand-ups are consistent. However, small details often vary between organizations. Here are some key rules and practices for stand-up meetings that you can adapt to your organization’s needs.

The Goal of Stand-Ups

The primary purpose of stand-ups is to facilitate communication among team members. They are not status update meetings for managers or a place to resolve issues immediately. Instead, stand-up meetings aim to foster collaboration, anticipate challenges, and ensure team alignment.

The Three Questions

Most stand-ups revolve around answering the following three key questions. While some teams may add additional questions, these three are universally essential:

1. What did I accomplish yesterday?
2. What will I do today?
3. What obstacles are impeding my progress?

Stand-Up Attendees – Scrum 

All team members should attend stand-up meetings. Attendance is crucial, as these meetings are designed to encourage transparent communication. If a team member cannot attend for any reason, the meeting should proceed as planned. After the stand-up, team members often collaborate to address the issues raised during the meeting.

Time, Duration, and Location of Stand-Ups

Stand-ups promote discipline and organization within the team. Here are three critical logistical aspects to consider:

1. Duration

Stand-ups are typically time-boxed to 5–15 minutes. I personally prefer 10-minute stand-ups, but this can vary between teams. The term “stand-up” itself serves as a reminder to keep the meeting short and to the point. Meetings should never exceed the allocated time; if more discussion is needed, schedule a separate meeting.

2. Time

The stand-up should occur at the same time every day to establish a predictable routine. Ideally, it should be scheduled just after the team begins their workday—for example, at 8:15 AM if the workday starts at 8:00 AM. A consistent schedule reinforces discipline and makes it easier for everyone to participate. In globally distributed teams, the timing may need to accommodate different time zones, but consistency remains essential.

3. Location

The location of stand-ups has evolved over time. When all team members worked in the same office, meetings were held in a designated space. Today, with remote work and distributed teams, online collaboration tools are often used. Tools like Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom can facilitate participation from any location. Regular use of such tools helps build discipline and ensures accessibility for all team members.

Speaking Order

There is no strict rule for the speaking order in stand-ups, and it’s best to avoid enforcing one. A simple and flexible approach works well—for instance, the last person to arrive could start, or the person sitting on the left could go first. Once the first person speaks, the rest can follow sequentially. Since the order of speaking is not significant, it’s best to minimize time spent deciding it.

Primary Responsibility of the Meeting Leader

The stand-up meeting’s primary goal is to identify potential roadblocks early and work collectively to resolve them. The Scrum Master or meeting leader should prioritize addressing any issues raised during the meeting. If a topic requires further discussion, it should be scheduled separately to avoid delaying the stand-up.

Basic Courtesy Rules

1. Do not interrupt while someone is speaking. If clarification is needed, ask politely but avoid back-and-forth discussions.
2. Latecomers or absentees should face some form of accountability to encourage punctuality.
3. While standing is not mandatory, it’s recommended if some team members are standing to maintain consistency.
4. Turn off mobile phones and notifications during the meeting.
5. Avoid distractions, such as looking at your computer, phone, or watch, while others are speaking.

Stand-up meetings are an essential part of Agile practices and, when conducted effectively, can significantly enhance team communication and productivity. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your stand-ups are efficient and focused.

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Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)