“Which techniques can you use with Scrum?”
Answer: Loads—if they serve your purpose.
From the Scrum Guide:
“Various processes, techniques and methods can be employed within the framework.”
From Cambridge Dictionary:
Employ = “to use something for a particular purpose.”
That last part matters: for a particular purpose.
Before reaching for a shiny new process or method, ask:
- What specific challenge are we trying to solve?
- What outcome are we aiming for?
- What’s the simplest technique that can help us move forward—today, in our context?
Scrum doesn’t dictate how to do things. It gives you the minimum structure to inspect, adapt, and improve. The rest? That’s yours to build out—intelligently and deliberately.
Let’s break it down:
- Process: a series of actions you take to achieve a result
- Technique: a way of doing something that needs skill or thought
- Method: a particular way of doing something
These all depend on your context:
- The people on your team - what skills do they bring?
- Your users and market - what results and value are you chasing?
- Your current constraints and opportunities
That’s why Scrum leaves the “how” open. It trusts in the collective intelligence of your team to find and evolve the right approaches.
Scrum gives you the frame. You bring the content.
Refinement? Pairing? Mob programming? Story mapping? Impact mapping? Estimation?
Whatever you choose—choose it to serve the work, the team, and the goal. Then inspect if it helped. And change again if needed.
So—what process, technique, or method do you use today?
And more importantly: what purpose does it serve?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope you find value in these short articles and if you are looking for more clarifications, feel free to make contact.
Don't want to miss any of these blog posts? Have the “The Scrum Guide Explored” series weekly in your mailbox.
Wishing you an inspiring read and a wonderful journey.
Scrum on!
