Every project, regardless of its method or framework is exposed to change. It is imperative that project team members understand that the Scrum development processes are designed to embrace change. Organizations should try to maximize the benefits that arise from change and minimize any negative impacts through diligent change management processes in accordance with the principles of Scrum.
In today’s hypercompetitive world where technology, market conditions, and business patterns are continuously shifting, change is the only constant. A primary principle of Scrum is its acknowledgement that a) stakeholders (e.g., customers, users, and sponsors) do change their minds about what they want and need throughout a project (sometimes referred to as “requirements churn”) and b) that it is very difficult, if not impossible, for stakeholders to define all requirements during project initiation.
Scrum development projects welcome change by using small development cycles that incorporate customer feedback on the project’s deliverables after each Sprint. This enables the customer to regularly interact with the Scrum Team members, view product increments as they are ready, and change requirements earlier on in the development cycle. Also, the portfolio or program management teams can respond to Change Requests pertaining to Scrum projects applicable at their level.