When adopting scrum, teams discover through retrospectives ways to adapt it to their particular context, improving results. It is important to understand that these variations are part of the learning and continuous improvement process, as long as they do not compromise the principles of agility

This is the Shu-Ha-Ri process: first you follow the form (Shu), then you break it (Ha), and finally, you transcend it (Ri). This evolution is not a sign of deviation, but of maturation and the pursuit of excellence.

The study “Real World Scrum A Grounded Theory of Variations in Practice” (1) reveals that it is common to adapt roles, artifacts and practices, and that variations should not be seen as negative, but as contextual adaptations that improve results.

It classifies variations into four main types:

• Standard variations: Implementation options shared through the knowledge of the agile community. For example, the different estimation techniques (story points, hours, t-shirt sizes).

• Necessary variations: These are adjustments created to address ambiguity in the scrum guides. One example is adapting the order of project management practices such as work breakdown, estimation and assignment.

• Contextual variations: These are temporary or infrequent modifications, justified by circumstances or practical constraints, such as assigning tasks directly to less experienced members.

• Clear deviations: These are variations that contradict the principles of Scrum without justification and tend to occur on an ongoing basis. These deviations can be seen as misuse or abuse of the method.

To adapt scrum appropriately, it is advisable to:

• Document the variations by recording the modifications made, the reasons behind them and their impact on the project.

• Encourage open communication so that all team members are aware of the variations and their implications.

• Assess the impact to see whether the variations add value to the project or cause problems.

• Know the principles of scrum in depth.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment, with a focus on continuous improvement.

• Strike a balance between fidelity to the principles of scrum and the flexibility needed to adapt it to the context.

(1) Z. Masood, R. Hoda and K. Blincoe, "Real World Scrum A Grounded Theory of Variations in Practice", IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, vol. 48, no. 5, pp. 1579-1591, 1 May 2022, doi: 10.1109/TSE.2020.3025317.