Definition Of Scrum: From The 2020 Scrum Guide

Please note: This is still the most current version of the Scrum Guide in 2025.

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Scrum Definition

Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems.

In a nutshell, Scrum requires a Scrum Master to foster an environment where:

1. A Product Owner orders the work for a complex problem into a Product Backlog.

2. The Scrum Team turns a selection of the work into an increment of value during a Sprint.

3. The Scrum Team and its stakeholders inspect the results and adjust for the next Sprint.

4. Repeat.

Scrum is simple. Try it as is and determine if its philosophy, theory, and structure help to achieve goals and create value. The Scrum framework is purposefully incomplete, only defining the parts required to implement Scrum theory. Scrum is built upon by the collective intelligence of the people using it. Rather than provide people with detailed instructions, the rules of Scrum guide their relationships and interactions.

Various processes, techniques and methods can be employed within the framework. Scrum wraps around existing practices or renders them unnecessary. Scrum makes visible the relative efficacy of current management, environment, and work techniques, so that improvements can be made.

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Scrum Definition: As Defined In The Official 2020 Scrum Guide

Please note: The text above is directly from the “Scrum Definition” section in the official 2020 Scrum Guide by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland. This page is maintained by Michael Vizdos as part of the official 2020 Interactive Scrum Guide. Please contact Michael Vizdos with any questions, suggestions, or to propose additional references and learning resources.

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References and Additional Learning Resources

• View the “Scrum Definition” section in the Interactive Scrum Guide.

• Watch the “Scrum Definition” Video.

• Read the official entire curated online digital version of the 2020 Scrum at InteractiveScrumGuide.com.

• Watch each video section of the official 2020 Scrum Guide YouTube Playlist at sg20_playlist.mvizdos.com.

• Listen to the “Scrum Definition Audio Clip” from the Scrum Guide Audio Book.

• Listen to the official 2020 version of the Scrum Guide Audio Book.

• Learn more about Implementing Scrum by Michael Vizdos at ImplementingScrum.com.

• Subscribe to your free weekly Saturday morning emails, with the original Scrum Chicken and Pig Cartoons about Implementing Scrum.

• Learn more about Michael Vizdos, creator of ImplementingScrum.com, the Scrum Guide Audiobook, the Scrum Guide YouTube Playlist, and the Interactive Scrum Guide at michaelvizdos.com.

• Get even more FREE resources to learn about Implementing Scrum at learn.mvizdos.com.

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