From the Scrum Guide:
“Scrum makes visible the relative efficacy of current management, environment, and work techniques…”
Sounds fancy, but let’s unpack it—because this part of the sentence is gold.
People often say:
“We’re so busy... but what’s it all actually leading to?”
Scrum gives you the answer. Not by telling you what to measure, but by creating a system where results (or lack thereof) can no longer hide in the shadows.
Let’s break down the key words:
Visible: “Able to be seen” – Cambridge Dictionary
Scrum’s transparency isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a wake-up call.
It surfaces—or should surface if it’s not happening yet—your results, progress, and quality.
Some people won’t want to see it. Some will pretend they don’t. But it’s there, out in the open.
Relative: “Judged or measured in comparison with something else”
Scrum doesn’t define what to compare against—it’s up to you.
Your previous Sprint. Your roadmap. Your customer expectations. An industry benchmark. A wild guess from last quarter.
Pick your yardstick—but make sure there is one. Otherwise you’re not measuring; you’re guessing.
Efficacy: “The ability, especially of a method of achieving something, to produce the intended result”
Ah, yes. Not output. Not effort. Not activity.
Intended result.
Scrum is asking: are your current ways of working actually helping deliver the results you aim for?
Do you even know what those outcomes are? (Hint: Product Goal, Sprint Goal, Definition of Done… without these, you’re playing darts in the dark.)
So, let’s put it all together:
Scrum makes visible how effective your current management, environment, and work techniques really are—compared to what you intend to achieve.
It doesn’t protect old processes. It doesn’t hide team dysfunction. It doesn’t care how hard you worked.
It asks: Are we achieving what we set out to do?
Time to reflect:
- Are your goals clearly defined?
- Can everyone see progress—or the lack of it?
- What are you comparing results against?
- When was the last time you really inspected the efficacy of your own practices?
If you're busy but unsure what it’s leading to… Scrum might not give you the answer. But it sure as hell will make the right questions visible.
Not sure what your current practices are really delivering?
Use your next Sprint Retrospective to dig into it.
- What’s visible?
- What’s being measured?
- What’s working—and what’s just keeping people busy?
Scrum won’t fix it. But it will help you face it.
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.
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Wishing you an inspiring read and a wonderful journey.
Scrum on!
