Use the pillars of scrum to assess and improve how your team works

5 min
Beginner

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to:

  • Describe the three pillars of empirical process control that scrum is built on
  • Explain how these pillars support scrum’s framework and principles

The three pillars of scrum

Scrum’s foundation is based on empirical process control, which rests on three fundamental pillars: transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Empirical process control enables scrum teams to deliver high-quality products while remaining agile and responsive to change.

Empirical process control is a way of managing work that is based on observation and experimentation. It is a core principle of scrum and enables teams to be more flexible.

👇 The three pillars of scrum are transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
A visual representation of the three pillars of scrum. The roof says scrum, and it is supported by three pillars that say Transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
👇Click the tabs below to learn more about the three pillars.
Are we being open? Transparency ensures that all aspects of the work are clear to every member of the team. This sets the foundation for open communication and a shared understanding of goals.
Transparency results in:
  • Aligned priorities
  • Consistent quality
  • Improved collaboration

The importance of the three pillars

The three pillars work together to create a cycle of continuous improvement

The cycle of continuous improvement helps scrum teams maintain flexibility, foster collaboration, and optimize their efficiency and effectiveness.
👇Click the numbered icons below to learn more about how this works.
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The three pillars of scrum. Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation are connected to each other.

Apply the three pillars to daily scrum practices

It’s important that teams understand and apply the pillars for scrum to be successful. Adopting scrum can be a big change in the way a team works or a product is produced, and understanding how the pillars are applied to your daily process will make it much easier to successfully navigate transformation.
👇Click the tabs below to learn more about how the three pillars manifest within scrum.
The scrum board is a good example of transparency. All work items are visible to the entire team, showing what's planned, in progress, and completed. This clear visualization ensures everyone understands the current state of the sprint.
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Build a culture of continuous improvement with the scrum values

  • What are the scrum values?
  • Embody the scrum values
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