Agile Development with Scrum
Scrum helps development teams work more efficiently. That’s why our client decided to use this agile method to develop its new, complex product involving mechanical engineering as well as electronics and software for realizing all product functions.
The company
Our client develops, produces and supports air-conditioning technology and hydraulic actuating systems for all types of rail vehicles.
The challenge
Our client had launched the development of a complex product that would involve a high degree of mechanical engineering but also electronics and software to realize all product functions. The project objective was to fully apply the agile method "Scrum". In addition to improving R&D efficiency and improving the client's enthusiasm for the product, Scrum was also selected to encourage the employees to work together on cross-functional project teams.
The approach
While training the management and the SCRUM team, it was particularly important for them to understand the new roles of product owner and Scrum master.
For the development project, we built the product backlog in collaboration with the product owner. The team began developing right after planning the first sprint. Under the guiding principle "working product over comprehensive documentation", the first product increment was already a functional model with a visible sub-function.
To adequately take into account product complexity and also be able to plan long procurement processes, the product owner creates a wish list for the next five to six sprints, in addition to the product backlog. In addition to the sprint backlog, the team creates a rougher plan for the upcoming sprints during sprint planning .
Bottom line – the benefits
- Improved efficiency of cross-functional product development
- Improvement of the client’s enthusiasm for the product
- Increase in the employees’ motivation to collaborate on the cross-functional team