Teamwork makes the dream work, and when it comes to app development, we’re a cross between 1950s Real Madrid and 1990s Chicago Bulls (spoiler alert – they won lots). But what’s the key ingredient in our secret sauce? Apart from yeast, starch and Worcestershire sauce, we have to mention scrum methodology.
What the heck is scrum methodology?
If you see the word ‘scrum’ and immediately think ‘rugby’, you’re not a million miles off. In the context of app development, a ‘scrum’ refers to an agile framework that’s designed to bring a team together and get stuff done. That includes the planning, rollout and future performance of products like apps.
And before you ask, an agile framework has nothing to do with a gymnasts’ pole. It’s an iterative approach to planning, managing, testing and delivering projects like software and app development.
Generally speaking, agile philosophies are about working in small increments rather than focusing on one giant rocket launch. And just like peanut butter on toast – we swear by it.
How does a scrum work in app development?
If ‘agile’ is about the way we think, ‘scrums’ are about our working practices. Managing a project can get unwieldy – whether it’s app development or AWS – but scrum methodology is about how you knock heads together (metaphorically) and focus minds to get results.
Every circus needs a ringmaster, and the ‘scrum master’ is the person who facilitates all the scrum ‘n’ games – from stand-ups and planning meetings to one-to-ones with team members.
Let’s take a closer look at this scrumptious approach to app development.
The morning stand-up
Perhaps the most well-known scrum technique is the daily stand-up, where that colleague gets to tell everyone how brilliant they are. Whoops, scratch that – a stand-up is simply a quick daily meeting to outline the day’s goal and get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. O scrum, all ye faithful.
Once you’ve fired up the coffee machine and buttered the croissant, the morning stand-up is a chance to reflect on the previous day’s achievements, figure out the plan for the day ahead, and flag if there are any scary snags that might spoil the app development party.
It only takes around 15 minutes max, so each contribution needs to be speedier than Speed 2: Cruise Control.
The ‘sprint’
When you’re catching a train, there’s a time for a leisurely trot, and a time for running full pelt with tickets clenched and a Tesco meal deal falling out of your bag. One sensible scrum principle is to break your project down into many bite-sized ‘sprints’ – a time-limited period (often a week or two) where a team works towards an agreed goal.
You can later get together and review the outcome – whether it’s a new software rollout or fully polished app development – and discuss what went well, and what was hell.
Other types of agile framework
Just like artichokes, agile frameworks come in many different forms. If you’re a scrum sceptic, ‘kanban’ is a popular alternative where visual components are used to manage workflows. The word comes from Japanese, roughly meaning ‘visual sign’, and you can even use a nifty kanban board to make work visible to relevant folks.
Scrum principles aren’t unique to app development, as you can find the same philosophies in everything from finance teams to education and HR. But for our purposes, the beautiful apps we create are where the scrum magic truly ‘appens.
Just like when the tortoise took on the hare, speed is no match for going slow and steady until we know we’re winning.
How scrums influence our app development
We believe in scrum methodology like we believe in Santa – wholeheartedly. Yes, we’re more than just cloud consultancy gurus, and our app development A-team will design and build your app in the most logical sequence of steps – from the layout of the pages to the overall user experience. Unlike the Star Wars franchise, we like doing things in an order that makes sense.
If you’ve got an awesome app idea and need a guiding hand to make it a reality, get in touch and we’d love to chat.
