Chapter 2: Scrum Theory and Principles

In this chapter, we will learn about the principles and values behind Scrum. At this point, you may be thinking Hold on, Scrum is a practical, agile approach to software development, so why should I care about theory? The simple answer here is that Scrum isn't a step-by-step process. It doesn't prescribe that you should follow step 1 and then step 2 and then maybe step 3 or 4. Scrum is a process framework. It tells us what we should value, what is important, sets out some rules, and gives us directions on how to apply these rules to achieve the things we value. Without knowing the underlying philosophy and principles, it is impossible to follow the directions Scrum sets out for us. So, with this in mind, this chapter is about the philosophy of Scrum, the empirical approach it is based on, its values, and its principles. We will cover the following topics in particular:

• The foundation of Scrum
• The pillars of empiricism
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