1. Using SCRUM the NHC-IT Way!
Moving “Projects” forward with Teamwork
Cindy Hewett, Deputy CIO
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

2. Topics for Today Agile and Scrum – the basics
Scrum terminology and foundations
Scrum in New Hanover County
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

3. What is Agile? Started in software development
Focused on iterative small development
Quick response to changing requirements
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

4. What is Scrum? A subset of agile practices
Framework for organizing work
Self-directed teams are responsible for the work
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

5. Scrum Roles/People
Product Owners – keep the backlog, communicates requirements, determines priorities
Scrum Masters – remove impediments, scrum coach, facilitate meetings
Team Members – do the work
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

6. Scrum Terms Backlog – list of work to be done
Sprint – a short period of time around which work is planned
Stand-ups – meetings to review progress and plans
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

7. The Scrum Cycle
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

8. Scrum in New Hanover County IT
Adapted to fit our (NHC-IT) needs!
Allows us to better Plan and Manage our work
Keeps our work Visible to our department and the county
Opens Communication and reinforces Cross-team Collaboration
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

9. Project Categories Tier 1- Escalated Projects Tier 2- ITGC Projects
Tier 3- SLA
Tier 4 – Small Projects
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

10. Documentation and Tracking
Project Repository (Sharepoint)- accessible through our county intranet site.
Active Project work is updated weekly.
As requests are submitted, placeholders are established in our repository (backlog items)
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

11. Duration SPRINTS are 4 weeks in duration.
Not all projects are completed in 4 weeks- but expected deliverables are identified at the beginning of each SPRINT.
New work does not begin mid-sprint
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

12. Planning and Preparation
Monthly Sprint Planning Sessions are held to
determine next month’s work.
Supervisors confirm what Projects will complete in the current Sprint
Supervisors confirm what Projects will continue into the next Sprint
Supervisors discuss what Projects will begin new in the next Sprint (pull from Backlog)
Supervisors must agree on available staff resources
Note: Prior to this meeting Supervisors have met with their staff for updates and input!
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

13. NHC- IT SCRUM Board
Very low tech- Simple but Visual process! No learning curve!
Current Monthly Sprint Items
Work is categorized by Tiers & color coded post-it notes
To Do (Work Breakdown)
Tasks are identified-what needs to be done!
Doing (Current)
Done (Completed)
Impediments (Resolution needed to move project forward)
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

14. Weekly Process
Each Monday (9am) all IT staff gather at our SCRUM Board
Basically a 30 minute Stand-Up Meeting
Teams report on active project work.
Each team member reports on their tasks
Moves corresponding post-it note along the SCRUM Board.
Answer 3 questions:
What they completed last week? (Move post-it from “Doing” to “Done”)
What they will be doing this week? (Move post-it from “To Do” to “Doing”)
Are there any impediments?
Post-it is placed in this area with identified impediment.
Supervisor works with Staff to resolve/remove impediment to keep project moving forward.
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

15. SCRUM…..not just for software!
IT has allowed us to see results!
IT is a better way to plan and manage our project work
IT improved visibility, communication, and cross-team collaboration!
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

16. What’s Next for NHC- IT!
Existing Analyst Positions Reclassified to Project Coordinators
Digital SCRUM
Information Technology
October 10, 2019

17. Questions
Information Technology
October 10, 2019