Scrum is built on simplicity, collaboration, and agility. However, these core principles can break down when a Scrum team grows too large. Communication becomes more challenging, alignment falters, and productivity can take a hit. So, if a Scrum team becomes too large, what should it do to maintain its effectiveness?
The answer lies in understanding the dynamics of team size, the challenges of oversized teams, and the solutions that align with Scrum principles. Let’s see how large Scrum teams can adapt while staying true to the agile principles and behaviours.
Why Team Size Matters in Scrum The
Scrum Guide recommends that a Scrum team, including the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers, should typically consist of
10 or fewer people. This size allows for:
- Efficient Communication: Smaller teams can collaborate more effectively without the complexity of managing too many voices.
- Faster Decision-Making: Fewer people mean quicker alignment on priorities and actions.
- Stronger Relationships: Smaller teams foster trust and understanding among members, creating a cohesive dynamic.
When a team grows beyond this size, the elements that make Scrum successful—transparency, inspection, and adaptation—become harder to maintain.
Challenges of Large Scrum Teams Oversized Scrum teams often face these common challenges:
- Communication Overload: As the number of team members increases, so does communication complexity. Misunderstandings and delays become more frequent.
- Reduced Accountability: In larger teams, it’s easier for individuals to feel less responsible for outcomes, leading to reduced ownership.
- Difficulty in Collaboration: With more voices at the table, reaching an agreement can be time-consuming and frustrating.
- Slower Progress: Large teams may struggle to maintain focus and agility, leading to slower value delivery.
If a Scrum Team Becomes Too Large, They Should… Here are actionable steps to address the challenges of an oversized Scrum team while staying aligned with agile principles:
- Split the Team into Smaller Scrum Teams
- When a Scrum team grows too large, the most effective solution is to split it into two or more smaller teams. Each new team should:
- Have its own Scrum Master and Product Owner.
- Work on separate but related areas of the product backlog.
- This approach allows each team to maintain focus, agility, and collaboration while contributing to a shared goal.
- Establish a Nexus Framework for Coordination
- Consider adopting the Nexus framework if multiple Scrum teams work on the same product. This framework guides coordinating across teams, ensuring alignment and reducing dependencies.
- Refine Team Roles and Responsibilities
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities within the team to avoid overlap and confusion. This can help streamline communication and accountability.
- Enhance Communication Channels
- Use tools and practices that improve communication, such as:
- Daily stand-ups with focused updates.
- Visual management tools like Kanban boards.
- Regular retrospectives to address communication challenges.
- Focus on Behavioural Insights
- Larger teams can benefit from understanding individual behaviours and communication styles. Tools like Everything DiSC™ can help team members:
- Adapt their communication to suit different styles.
- Navigate conflicts constructively.
- Build trust and collaboration, even in larger groups.
- Prioritize Cross-Team Collaboration
- If splitting the team isn’t feasible, focus on fostering cross-functional collaboration within the larger group. Encourage smaller working groups to tackle specific tasks or goals.
Case Example: Splitting a Large Scrum Team A software development team of 18 members struggled with communication breakdowns and slower delivery times. The team split into two smaller Scrum teams, each focusing on a specific product feature. By adopting the Nexus framework for coordination, they:
- Reduced communication complexity.
- Improved accountability within each team.
- Delivered features faster, with fewer bottlenecks.
They also introduced
Everything DiSC™ to understand each team member’s communication preferences, further enhancing collaboration and trust.
Why Behavioural Insights Matter in Large Scrum Teams When a Scrum team grows too large, it’s not just about splitting the team but ensuring each new team functions effectively. This is where behavioural insights come into play. Tools like
Everything DiSC™ provide:
- Improved Communication: Tailor communication styles to suit the preferences of team members.
- Conflict Resolution: Address disagreements constructively, keeping the focus on shared goals.
- Stronger Relationships: Build trust and cohesion within and across teams.
By focusing on behaviours, organizations can ensure that even after splitting a team or scaling Scrum, the principles of collaboration and agility remain intact.
Empower Your Teams to Evolve, No Matter the Size At Berriault & Associates, we specialize in helping organizations navigate the complexities of Scrum and Agile environments. Whether you’re looking to split a large Scrum team, adopt behavioural insights, or improve team dynamics, our tailored programs can help.
Ready to unlock your team’s full potential? Contact us today at
647-490-7515 or email
jberriault@berriaultandassociates.com to learn more about our workshops and tools like
Everything DiSC™. Let’s work together to create teams that deliver value, innovate, and thrive—no matter their size.
