Defined vs Empirical

Defined Processes

• Every piece of work is completely understood
• Defined process can be started and allowed to run with same results every time
• They provide repeatability and predictability

Empirical Processes

• Expects the unexpected
• Because the processes are imperfectly defined, generate unpredictable and unrepeatable output
• Control is exercised thru inspection and adaptation

Scrum and Empirical Process Control

• Scrum is founded on Empirical Process control theory (Empiricism)
• Empirical processes are the ones which are imperfectly defined and generate unpredictable and unrepeatable outputs
• Empirical model is made successful by frequently inspecting and adapting the processes

Three Pillars of Empirical Process Control

Transparency

• Significant aspects of process must be visible to those responsible for outcome
• Transparency requires those aspects be defined by a common standard so observers share a common understanding of what is being seen

Inspection

• Scrum users must frequently inspect Scrum artifacts and progress towards a Sprint goal
• Detect undesirable variances
• Inspections should NOT be too frequent

Adaptation

• The process or the material being processed must be adjusted
• Adjustment should be made as soon as possible and prevent further deviation