Here are some of the greatest hits we’ve heard (or said!) during the Daily Scrum.
1. “Yesterday, I was in meetings most of the day.”
Translation: “I didn’t get to do much real work.”
Tip: If meetings are eating into the team's time consistently, consider if all of them are necessary. Daily Scrum can be used for raising these issues.
2. “I’ll pick this up after daily scrum.”
Translation: “I haven’t decided what I’ll work on today yet.”
Tip: Encourage teams to come prepared, knowing what’s next based on sprint goal. This keeps the momentum going.
3. “I’m still working on the same item as yesterday.”
Translation: “I might be stuck… but I’m not saying it out loud.”
Tip: A repeating status is a signal, not necessarily a problem, but it’s worth checking if support or pairing would help.
4. “No blockers.”
Translation: “I’m okay… I think?”
Tip: If you’re hearing “no blockers” from everyone every day, it could mean blockers aren’t being surfaced. Retrospectives are a great place to dig deeper.
5. “Let’s take that offline.”
Translation: “We’re going down a rabbit hole. Time to hit pause.”
Tip: Great use of discipline! The daily scrum is not the place for lengthy problem-solving discussions. Parking lot, follow-ups work wonders.
6. “I’m almost done.”
Translation: “I hope to be done soon, but I don’t want to commit to a specific time.”
Tip: Clearly defining “done” (yes, that good old Definition of Done!) helps reduce ambiguity in updates.
7. “I was pairing with X yesterday.”
Translation: “We’re collaborating. Things are moving well.”
Tip: Celebrate it! Pairing (and mobbing) often leads to faster feedback and higher quality work.
8. “I’ll work on bugs today.”
Translation: “I don’t have anything left… or I’m not clear on priorities.”
Tip: Ensure your backlog is well-ordered and visible. Bug work is essential, but should be intentional.
9. “It’s in progress.”
Translation: “Please don’t ask for details…”
Tip: Encourage specifics, what’s the plan to move it forward? What’s the next step? Vague updates lead to vague progress.
10. “I updated the ticket.”
Translation: “I’m sharing the minimum updates.”
Tip: Updating Jira is great. But the real goal is communication. Ensure what’s said in daily scrum adds value for the team, not just the board.
Daily scrums are not about status reporting. They’re about team alignment, accountability, and collaboration.
Scrum Bingo is a fun way to reflect, and sometimes laugh at our routines. But it also reminds us to be intentional with our words, honest with our blockers, and respectful of the team's time.
Tips for Better Daily Scrums (and Less Buzzword Bingo)
- Rotate facilitators – Keeps the format fresh and encourages shared responsibility.
- Use a visual board – Helps everyone stay on the same page and quickly understand progress.
- Timebox it – Keep it short and relevant. Avoid deep dives.
- Encourage psychological safety – Make it okay to say “I’m stuck” or “I need help.”
Let’s Hear from You
What are your favourite “Scrum Bingo” phrases?
Have you seen any surprising ones that deserve to be added to the board?
What do you do to keep your daily scrum from going stale?
Let’s share some laughs, and learn from each other.
