Validation of Quality Within the Sprint in Scrum

Validation of quality is a critical aspect of software development, and in Scrum, it is integrated into the daily activities of the Scrum Team. The question of whether quality validation should be part of every Sprint’s development activities is essential for ensuring the delivery of high-quality Increments.

Exam Question

A new Scrum Team wonders whether validation of quality should be done within every Sprint.
Are there benefits of including validation of quality within the Sprint’s development activities?
Explain what Scrum says about this.

Explanation

Benefits of Including Validation of Quality in Every Sprint

• Ensuring Incremental Value: Validating quality within each Sprint ensures that the product Increment meets the Definition of Done and is potentially shippable. By incorporating quality validation throughout the Sprint, the Scrum Team can deliver a valuable and usable product Increment that aligns with stakeholder expectations.
• Early Detection of Defects: Integrating quality validation into the Sprint allows for the early detection of defects. This proactive approach helps identify issues before they accumulate, reducing the risk of technical debt and ensuring that problems are addressed promptly.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular quality validation fosters a culture of continuous improvement within the Scrum Team. By validating quality in every Sprint, the team can inspect and adapt their processes, leading to more efficient workflows and higher-quality outcomes.
• Building Trust with Stakeholders: When the Scrum Team consistently delivers high-quality Increments, it builds trust with stakeholders. Including quality validation in each Sprint ensures that the product remains reliable, stable, and ready for release at the end of each Sprint, reinforcing stakeholder confidence.

What Scrum Says About Validation of Quality

Scrum emphasizes the importance of delivering a potentially shippable product Increment at the end of every Sprint. To achieve this, the Scrum Team must ensure that the Increment meets the Definition of Done, which includes all necessary quality criteria. Scrum does not prescribe specific quality validation practices, but it does stress the importance of empiricism—frequent inspection and adaptation—throughout the development process.

• The Definition of Done: The Definition of Done is a key component in Scrum that outlines the quality standards that must be met for an Increment to be considered complete. The Scrum Team defines the Definition of Done, which should include quality validation practices such as testing, code reviews, and performance checks. By adhering to the Definition of Done, the team ensures that every Increment meets the required quality standards.
• Empiricism in Scrum: Scrum is built on the pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Quality validation within each Sprint aligns with these principles by making the product’s quality transparent, allowing the team to inspect the Increment regularly, and adapting their approach to improve quality continuously.
• Integration of Development and Testing: Scrum encourages the integration of development and testing activities within the same Sprint. This approach prevents the accumulation of defects and ensures that quality is validated as part of the development process. It eliminates the need for separate testing phases after development, promoting a more efficient and collaborative workflow.

Relevance to the PSM III Exam

Understanding the integration of quality validation within each Sprint is crucial for the PSM III exam. Demonstrating knowledge of how Scrum incorporates quality into the development process and the benefits of this approach highlights a deep understanding of Scrum practices and their impact on delivering high-quality products.

Key Takeaways

• Validation of quality should be an integral part of every Sprint to ensure that the Increment meets the Definition of Done.
• Early detection of defects and continuous improvement are key benefits of incorporating quality validation within the Sprint.
• Scrum’s emphasis on empiricism supports the integration of quality validation into the development process, ensuring that the product remains reliable and valuable.

Conclusion

Including validation of quality within every Sprint’s development activities is essential for delivering high-quality Increments that meet stakeholder expectations. By integrating quality validation into the Scrum process, the team can ensure that each Increment is potentially shippable and aligns with the product’s goals. For more insights on preparing for the PSM III exam, visit our Scrum Master PSM III™ Exam Prep.