Continuous Improvement
In Scrum, an ongoing practice where the team applies lessons learned and stakeholder feedback to continually refine the Prioritized Product Backlog as needs and requirements evolve.
Key Points
- Focuses on learning from experience and adapting each sprint.
- Relies on regular engagement with business stakeholders for feedback.
- Keeps the Prioritized Product Backlog current as requirements change.
- Enabled by inspection and adaptation events such as reviews and retrospectives.
Example
After a Sprint Review, users report that a new feature flow is confusing. The Scrum Team analyzes the feedback during the Sprint Retrospective, updates acceptance criteria, adds a refinement task, and reorders the Prioritized Product Backlog so fixes and usability tests are addressed in the next sprint.
PMP Example Question
Which action best demonstrates continuous improvement in a Scrum project?
- Freezing scope after release planning to prevent churn.
- Collecting feedback but deferring backlog updates until project closeout.
- Incorporating stakeholder feedback and lessons learned each sprint to refine and reprioritize the Prioritized Product Backlog.
- Extending the sprint to finish all planned work, regardless of new insights.
Correct Answer: C — Incorporating feedback and lessons learned to refine and reprioritize the backlog
Explanation: Continuous improvement in Scrum means using stakeholder input and team learning to continuously update and reorder the Prioritized Product Backlog as needs evolve.
