What’s holding up your Scrum implementation—steel beams or quicksand?
The Scrum Guide says:
“Scrum is founded on empiricism and lean thinking.”
Scrum isn’t “applied” like paint. It’s grown from this foundation.
Let’s break it down.
From Cambridge Dictionary:
“To found on”: to base a belief, claim, or idea on something.
“To base on”: you use those facts or ideas to develop it;
“To develop it”: to grow or change into a more advanced, larger, or stronger form”.
So what’s Scrum built on?
Not tools.
Not ceremonies.
Not Jira boards.
But empiricism and lean thinking. Those are the base materials.
Take them away, and you’re building on sand.
Your dailies become status meetings. Your retros become empty rituals. Your Product Backlog? A wishlist without direction.
No empiricism → no learning, no adaptation
No lean thinking → no focus, no flow, just more clutter
So, quick pulse-check:
Are you inspecting real outcomes—or just velocity?
Are you reducing waste—or adding process debt?
Scrum gives you a simple, powerful structure—
but if it’s not founded on something solid,
it will eventually collapse.
Your turn:
How are you growing Scrum from its foundation—not just going through the motions?
Where are the cracks in your foundation?
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!
