What is Scrum? | Scrum.org

article Scrum.org Apr 7, 2026

Introductory overview of the Scrum framework from Scrum.org. Scrum is defined as a way to deliver work in small increments with continuous experimentation and feedback. Grounded in empirical process control with three pillars: transparency, inspection, and adaptation. The framework consists of a Scrum Team (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Developers), five events, and three artifacts, all bound by trust and five values (Courage, Focus, Commitment, Respect, Openness). Work is delivered in short cycles called Sprints (one month or less).

Backlinks

Scrum embeds three inspect-and-adapt loops: daily standup (1-day cycle), sprint review (1-4 week cycle for the product), and retrospective (1-4 week cycle for the process). — Scrum.org →

Empirical Process Control Empirical process control (EPC) is the practice of executing a small part of a plan, getting feedback on the result, and adapting the remaining plan. It rests on three pillars: transparency, inspection, and adaptation (bib). →

Feedback Loops

OKR — quarterly goal-setting framework: objective + measurable key results (bib)
2039590834027508118 — management has been shortening the feedback cycle for decades
2039585611682918581 — OKR: 90-day feedback loop
2039585794495803405 — OKR from control theory: a thermostat that checks once a season
Scrum — three nested feedback loops: daily, sprint review, retrospective (bib)
2039587182000959844 — Scrum: three nested inspect-and-adapt loops
2039588170195710144 — Scrum implements empirical process control
Kanban Method — continuous flow, WIP limits, pull system, no fixed iterations (bib)
2039590758597251341 — Kanban: continuous flow, no fixed iterations
2039596911204966407 — Kanban is the most radical step: cycle time = single work item
2039597131431047679 — AI-native companies: management feedback in seconds
2039597531123032444 — companies running 90-day loops cannot compete with 90-second ones

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Scrum Scrum is an agile framework for delivering work in short cycles (Sprints of one month or less) through empirical process control: transparency, inspection, and adaptation (bib). Introduced in 1995 by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland. →