Scrum Team

The fundamental organisational unit of Scrum is the Scrum Team. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint. The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. Within a Scrum Team, there are no sub-teams or hierarchies.

Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint. They are also self-managing, meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and how.

The Scrum Team is small enough to remain Agile and large enough to complete significant work within a Sprint, typically ten or fewer people. In general, smaller teams communicate better and are more productive.

Whilst small Scrum Teams are desirable, they must be large enough to ensure enough shared skills to develop the product without depending on other teams.

Scrum Teams with stable membership will further optimise efficiency. Forming or reforming Scrum Teams consumes resources and reduces effectiveness in most cases.

Ideally, Scrum Team members will be dedicated to one team. This will reduce multi-tasking and allow people to increase focus and commitment, leading to reduced waste and better outcomes. It is also desirable for Scrum Team members to have input into the design and structure of the team. This encourages self-management from the start and may increase ownership and motivation.