Top 13 Scrum Books For Scrum Master To Excel

Scrum is a framework that helps teams work together to achieve their goals through an iterative approach. It has become popular in software development, but its principles can be applied to various industries. Reading books on Scrum can help individuals and organizations understand its concepts and practices better. In this blog, we will discuss the top Scrum books that one should read and why they are essential.

Scope of Scrum

Scrum is a framework that emphasizes collaboration, self-organization, and cross-functional teams. It involves working in short iterations called sprints, where a team works on a specific set of tasks and produces a potentially shippable product increment. Scrum relies on three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. The Product Owner is responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, the Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum events and helps the team to improve, and the Development Team is responsible for delivering the product increment.

Also know,  scrum master vs product owner

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Top 13 Scrum Books

While reading books on Scrum can provide valuable insights, joining a Scrum Master certification course can elevate your understanding and practical application of this framework. By enrolling in a certification course, you can gain hands-on experience, interact with industry experts, and earn a globally recognized credential that can make your career undefeatable. So, if you want to take your Scrum knowledge and skills to the next level, we highly recommend enrolling in a Scrum Master certification course.

1. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland

Jeff Sutherland is one of the creators of Scrum, and in this book, he explains how Scrum can help teams to work more efficiently and effectively. He shares real-life examples and case studies to show how Scrum can help organizations reduce waste, increase productivity, and deliver value to customers faster.

2. Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process by Kenneth S. Rubin

Kenneth Rubin's book is a comprehensive guide to Scrum, covering its principles, practices, and roles. It includes practical tips and advice for implementing Scrum in different organizations, and it also addresses common challenges that teams may face when adopting Scrum.

3. Agile Estimating and Planning by Mike Cohn

Mike Cohn's book is focused on how to estimate and plan agile projects, including Scrum. It covers various techniques for estimating and planning, such as story points and velocity, and provides practical advice on how to create effective sprint plans and release plans.

4. The Scrum Field Guide: Agile Advice for Your First Year and Beyond by Mitch Lacey

Mitch Lacey's book is a practical guide to Scrum, providing advice and insights based on his years of experience implementing this framework. It covers topics such as creating a product vision, conducting Sprint reviews, and scaling Scrum to larger teams. This book is an excellent resource for Scrum Masters and project managers looking to improve their Scrum implementation skills.

5. Agile Project Management with Scrum by Ken Schwaber

Ken Schwaber's book is focused on Agile project management using Scrum, providing practical advice and guidance on how to succeed with this framework. It covers topics such as creating a product backlog, conducting Sprint planning, and estimating and tracking progress. This book is an excellent resource for project managers and Scrum Masters looking to improve their Agile project management skills.

6. Scrum Shortcuts Without Cutting Corners: Agile Tactics, Tools, & Tips by Ilan Goldstein

Ilan Goldstein's book provides practical shortcuts for implementing Scrum, including tips and tricks for working more efficiently. It covers topics such as creating a product backlog, conducting Sprint planning, and facilitating meetings. This book is an excellent resource for Scrum Masters and Agile coaches looking to improve their Scrum implementation skills.

7. User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product by Jeff Patton

User Story Mapping is a technique that helps teams to visualize the product backlog and prioritize features based on user needs. Jeff Patton's book explains how to use user story mapping to create a shared understanding of the product, and it also covers techniques for splitting user stories and creating a release plan.

8. Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition by Lyssa Adkins

Coaching Agile Teams is a practical guide for ScrumMasters and agile coaches, covering topics such as facilitating Scrum events, coaching team members, and dealing with conflict. It also provides guidance on how to create a culture of continuous improvement and how to measure the success of agile transformations.

9. Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum by Mike Cohn

Mike Cohn's book provides practical advice on how to succeed with Scrum, including how to create a product backlog, plan sprints, and conduct Scrum events. It also covers advanced topics such as scaling Scrum, distributed teams, and agile metrics.

10. The Agile Samurai: How Agile Masters Deliver Great Software by Jonathan Rasmusson

The Agile Samurai is a practical guide for software developers, covering various agile techniques and practices, including Scrum. It includes real-life examples and case studies, and it also provides practical tips for creating a culture of continuous improvement.

11. Scrum Mastery: From Good to Great Servant-Leadership by Geoff Watts

Scrum Mastery is a book focused on the role of the Scrum Master, providing guidance on how to become a great servant-leader.  It covers topics such as facilitating Scrum events, coaching teams and removing impediments. It also includes practical advice on how to create a high-performing team and how to measure the success of the Scrum Master's role.

12. Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business by David J. Anderson

David J. Anderson's book is focused on the Kanban method, which is closely related to Agile project management and Scrum. It covers topics such as visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and continuous improvement. This book is an excellent resource for Scrum Masters and project managers looking to improve their project management processes.

13. Scrum Product Ownership: Balancing Value from the Inside Out by Bob Galen

The role of the Product Owner is critical in Scrum, as they are responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog. Bob Galen's book provides guidance on how to become a successful Product Owner, including how to create a product vision, manage stakeholders, and prioritize the backlog.

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Conclusion

Reading books on Scrum can provide valuable insights and guidance on how to implement and succeed with this framework. The top Scrum books discussed in this blog cover a range of topics, from Scrum basics to advanced techniques, and from the perspective of different roles. By reading these books and taking a CSM Course, individuals and organizations can gain a better understanding of Scrum and how to apply its principles to their work.