Most Scrum Teams “inspect,” but few truly see.
They talk about what went well, what didn’t, and move on — but they rarely confront the gap between what is and what was intended.
And that’s where the real inspection happens.
From the Scrum Guide: “Scrum combines four formal events for inspection and adaptation.”
Cambridge Dictionary defines inspection as:
- “The act of looking at something carefully to check its quality or condition,”
- “A careful examination to discover information,”
- “A check to ensure something is in good condition or that rules are being obeyed.”
Now apply that to your Scrum practice:
- Are you looking carefully — or casually glancing?
- Are you discovering information — or confirming what you already believe?
- Are you examining the actual condition of your work — or just running through a script?
Inspection in Scrum isn’t about nitpicking tasks or chasing velocity trends.
It’s about comparing reality to purpose.
- Is the product closer to achieving the Product Goal?
- Are we meeting the quality bar defined in our Definition of Done?
- Is our way of working serving us — or slowing us down?
Each Scrum Event offers this mirror moment:
- Sprint Planning – inspect your understanding of the Product Backlog against the Product Goal and the Definition of Done.
- Daily Scrum – inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal.
- Sprint Review – inspect outcomes against the Product Goal and stakeholder expectations.
- Retrospective – inspect current against needed quality and effectiveness.
And yet, many teams treat inspection as routine maintenance — not as an act of courage.
Because real inspection reveals uncomfortable truths:
We built the wrong thing.
We ignored feedback.
We didn’t live up to our agreements.
We’re stuck.
That’s why inspection requires psychological safety — and honesty.
Without those, inspection turns into performance.
With them, inspection turns into growth.
So here’s a challenge for your next Sprint:
Don’t inspect what’s easy to see — inspect what’s hard to face.
Compare your reality to your intent.
And don’t just look — learn.
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!
