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CHAPTER 1 SHIPPING SOFTWARE
Using Scrum doesn ’ t change the reality of the constraints that defi ne a project. However, Scrum is
designed to react to changes gracefully. With respect to scope, Scrum assumes that the feature set is
not fully defi ned up front. Rather, as the product emerges with successive sprints, features are added
to and cut from scope. Scrum also assumes that building a product will take a variable amount of time
and that you cannot predict the amount of time too early in the project. Once you have achieved a
predictable burndown velocity, you can begin to predict scope completion dates. Scrum can work quite
well on fi xed - budget projects because it enables you to move features in and out of sprints and move
sprints in and out of releases.
Burndown velocity refers to the rate at which you complete product features
during each sprint. This is covered in Chapters 8 and 9.
APPROACHES TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This section looks at the three most common approaches to project management:
Scrum — Scrum is the newest approach. Scrum came on the scene around 2000 and is
rooted in Agile programming.
MSF — Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) was created in the early 1990s. Like Scrum,
it is an iterative development method.
Waterfall — The Waterfall method is the most mature process and is fi rmly established in
software and other engineering disciplines.
Scrum
This book is all about using Visual Studio TFS to run a Scrum project. It assumes that you ’ re
somewhat familiar with Scrum and are looking for advice and guidance on using the tool to
facilitate the process. If you ’ re not familiar with Scrum but know how to use Visual Studio TFS,
don ’ t worry. By the time you fi nish this book, you will know more than enough to begin.
This section presents a very brief summary of Scrum in order to help you compare it with the other
software project management methodologies. The subsequent chapters cover specifi c techniques
for using Visual Studio TFS to implement the concepts introduced here. If you ’ re new to Scrum,
you might want to check out the many great books, websites, and other resources that we list in
Appendix B.
The Theory of Scrum: The Agile Manifesto
The Agile Manifesto is a great starting point for understanding the principles on which Scrum is
based. You can fi nd it online at
http://agilemanifesto.org .
Four high - level values frame the methodology:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
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