What to Look for in a Scrum Tool

Choosing the right scrum tool can be pretty challenging, especially with the wide range of products available today. As a project owner, a manager, or a software developer, though, you must choose a Scrum tool that allows for a transparent structuring of your work timetable, and the development of your product.

Clear delineations with the roles

In the scrum methodology, the strength of the project is measured not just in the ability of each member to perform at maximum potential, but also in the segregation of jobs. There must be clear delineations of roles, and if roles must cross between two members, this must be clear in the structure so that the two members can complement one another. A good Scrum tool would allow the project manager to identify and list out these roles. A clear time table, in relation to these roles and tasks, must be easily made. The Scrum tool used should allow for these tasks and roles to be easily made clear to all members involved, and for the members to easily edit their own parts of the project so that real time updates are given to the project manager.

A system which defines timetables

A good Scrum tool must also make it easier for the project manager to manage timetables of each team member. If there is backlog in the system, this should be tracked down and recorded, including notes on how it affected the overall progress of the project. Incidentally, aside from specific timetables of each team member, a general timetable of the project completion must be available. In other words, a good tool is one which allows the project manager enough leverage to assess both the general and specific progression of the project.

An easily maneuverable work space

Some Scrum tools have excellent features but they can be very hard to manipulate. What you are looking for in any Scrum tool is easy maneuverability. You must be able to clearly see where your project is going, and edit it out easily if you think you are causing sprint backlogs because of a task decision or assignment without having to problematize how you're going to do just that. The best tools in the market today allow managers to drag-and-drop tasks. The best tools are not problems but solutions to your problems, so they are easy to learn how to use.

Clear records

You must have clear records of each member's edit history, how they were able to reach each of their goals, and how this affected the process as a whole. This should be easily marked and visible to you as a project manager not to play the blame game but in order to help each member improve on the next task on hand.

Affordability

Believe it or not, the best Scrum tools in the market today do not have to cost too much to be efficient. Some of them are even available for free. Before picking any particular scrum tool, however, assess its features. Make sure the features are the right fit for your management style and your project's needs.