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Subject:Re: Scrum as a Job Requirement From:"Kay A. Pentecost" <kayp -at- ix -dot- netcom -dot- com> To:William Sherman <bsherman77 -at- embarqmail -dot- com>, Charlotte Branth Claussen <charlotteclaussen -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Tue, 5 Mar 2013 14:45:15 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
Hi, William,
I wouldn't simplify Scrum as "having regular meetings." I've done Scrum, as a developer though, not as a tech writer, but I can imaging being part of a Scrum Team doing technical writing as well as development.
And the meetings are more than making sure no one is "lost," and that everyone is accomplishing "something."
Scrum, and the other Agile methodologies, are a whole different mindset from the standard SDLC... which, incidentally, I wouldn't use in connection with Agile, since SDLC implies that there are certain defined "stages" in software development, like "planning," "analysis," "design," "coding," and "testing."
Astrology and Astronomy both deal with stars, but they aren't the same thing.
If you want to telecommute or close yourself in an office and write by yourself you'll hate Scrum. If you want to develop great software with a focused, energetic, committed team, you'll love Scrum.
Just my two cents.
Kay Pentecost
-----Original Message-----
>From: William Sherman <bsherman77 -at- embarqmail -dot- com>
>Sent: Mar 5, 2013 1:39 PM
>To: Charlotte Branth Claussen <charlotteclaussen -at- gmail -dot- com>
>Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Scrum as a Job Requirement
>
>Here is one that came today.
>
>> Prior experience authoring IT documentation within the Agile SDLC
>
>From what I have read on scrum, it is basically a policy of daily meetings of the team, to be sure no one is lost and that everyone is accomplishing something. I know that is a great simplification of the process, but really, does anyone think they couldn't work in a group that has regular meetings so we can keep progress flowing?
>
>On many projects I have been on, I have been handling multiple projects, so there would be some days I may not work on Project ABC as I was working on XYZ that day due to meetings or access to the system, so I wouldn't have progress on a daily level. But saying I couldn't do a daily meeting is preposterous.
>
>
>Now other sites list scrum not so much as daily meetings but as sprints, which can be defined as almost any length, such as week sprints, two-week sprints, and so on. The idea is the product is more or less a deliverable at the end of each sprint and is re-evaluated as to being on track in case the direction of the company or product has changed.
>
>That is almost like saying the job requirements are:
>
>1. Must attend meetings with team
>2. Must attend meetings with boss
>3. Must be able to use a computer
>4. Must be able to travel between buildings for meetings
>
>
>I think we have been naming too many things to promote self-importance when the reality is getting the job done and done right is the only real value. Just because someone hasn't done scrum doesn't mean they couldn't do it. It isn't like you need to go for a 4 year degree in it.
>
>It would be better to say.
>
>1. We have weekly meetings to access where we are.
>2. At these meetings, you need a functioning draft.
>3. The direction of the product could change at any meeting, and you must be flexible to change.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Charlotte Branth Claussen
> To: William Sherman
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 4:28 AM
> Subject: Re: Getting that info
>
>
> William, I know, and I did not take it like that. I agree completely that an interest in exploring the software yourself is part of making a good techwriter. Also, like Anne says, it gives a lot more respect among the developers that you actually put an effort into learning.
>
> Regarding scrum, I believe there is many ways of doing it, none exactly like it is described in whatever you read. Hopefully, any workplace will implement scrum in the form and degree that suits the workplace and the tasks at hand.
>
> To me it sounds strange that scrum is a job requirement, unless they are looking for a scrummaster or lead developer. But it can be important in the sense that you would only fit in, if you work well in an environment with daily standup meetings, collaboration with a team, and planning in so called sprints. What I particulaly like about scrum is that everything is visible, both to your team and to your manager.
>
> /Charlotte
>
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