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What is the 15 10 5 rule in Scrum?

Published in Scrum Daily Stand-up Rule 3 mins read

The 15 10 5 rule in Scrum is a time-management technique used primarily during daily stand-up meetings (also known as the Daily Scrum).

Based on the provided reference:

The 15 10 5 rule in Scrum is a time-management technique used primarily during daily stand-up meetings. It suggests the following breakdown: 15 minutes total for the meeting. 10 minutes for team members to update on their progress (what was done -yesterday, what will be done today)

This rule aims to keep the daily synchronization meeting focused and brief, ensuring it doesn't consume excessive time from the development team's day.

Key Components Explained by the Reference

The reference explicitly defines the breakdown for the total meeting time and the portion dedicated to team updates:

  • 15 Minutes Total: The entire duration for the Daily Scrum meeting should ideally be limited to 15 minutes. This short timebox encourages team members to be concise and focus on essential information.
  • 10 Minutes for Team Updates: Out of the 15 minutes, the reference states that 10 minutes are allocated for team members to share their progress, typically covering:
    • What they worked on yesterday.
    • What they plan to work on today.
    • Any impediments blocking their progress.

Note: While the rule is named the "15 10 5 rule," the provided reference explains the "15" (total time) and the "10" (time for updates) but does not define what the "5" represents within this context.

Understanding the Daily Scrum Timebox

The concept behind this rule aligns with the Scrum Guide's recommendation that the Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers of the Scrum Team. Its purpose is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog accordingly.

While the reference gives a specific breakdown (10 mins for updates out of 15 total), the core principle remains keeping the meeting short and focused to facilitate quick planning and coordination for the next 24 hours.

Here's a simple representation based on the reference:

Component Suggested Time (Based on Reference)
Total Meeting Time 15 minutes
Time for Team Updates 10 minutes
(Remaining time - '5'?) Not defined in reference

Adhering to a time-management rule like 15 10 5 helps ensure the Daily Scrum serves its purpose without becoming a lengthy status meeting or problem-solving session. Issues and detailed discussions identified during the Daily Scrum should typically be taken offline immediately afterward by the relevant people.

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