For scrum masters just starting out, scrum books are essential as a reference, but their use doesn’t end there. As new servant-leaders gain experience, the best scrum books can continue to be sources of inspiration for coaching and leadership.
What I looked for in the scrum books for this roundup was help with the human side of scrum, rather than just another version of the scrum guide. wanted insight on how to deal with the real-world issues scrum masters face when trying to help teams collaborate.
You are reading: Best books on scrum
These are the books that did not disappoint.
scrum: the ultimate beginner’s guide to learning and mastering the agile scrum framework by hein smith
If you’re looking for a scrum book that has complete beginners in mind, this would be my top choice.
smith places scrum within the context of agile, so readers get a healthy introduction to the “why” of scrum before learning the “what”. is a concise book written in accessible language that gives readers a quick understanding of scrum.
At about 40 pages, it’s not deep. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to fill in their knowledge gaps with this book so much as I would use it as a quick introduction. there is enough detail to understand scrum concepts, plus peripheral information on things like non-core scrum roles, agile estimation techniques, and scrum scaling.
then, it’s nice to have it on loan on your shelf. If someone in your company isn’t sure about scrum, here’s a book you can read in an hour or two that outlines the basics you need to know and shows you why your team has so much fun every morning.
the great scrummaster: #scrummasterway by zuzana Šochová
This is another scrum book that works well as a starting point for scrum masters and agile coaches. it’s personal, uplifting, and packed with well-organized information geared toward newcomers. you can read this book in a weekend and get some useful insights into what it means to be a scrum master.
For example, you know that scrum teams are supposed to self-organize, but what does that mean? What does healthy self-organization look like and where do teams draw boundaries?
The most valuable thing about this book is that it helps you develop professionally. soft skills are crucial to becoming a scrum grandmaster, and Šochová includes exercises that help readers figure out where they stand. Are they really a servant leader? what skills do they have? Šochová is a great coach. she helps scrum masters track their progress in a way I haven’t seen in other scrum books.
also includes chapters on team building and tips for difficult team behaviors. his notes and examples on perennial topics like defensiveness and stonewalling could be useful even to advanced scrum masters trying to fine-tune team dynamics.
Building a team is different from building software, Šochová says. She started her career as a developer before becoming a scrum master and trainer, so she has great insight into the different challenges developers (who build great software) face. and scrum masters (who build great teams) and how they can work better together.
scrum: the art of doing twice the work in half the time by jeff sutherland
here is a book on scrum that got traction both inside and outside of technology. part of its broad appeal is the lack of jargon and technical language. Instead, the book’s lessons are structured by the stories Sutherland tells about implementing Scrum.
the narrative is exciting compared to the typical scrum book. No outside knowledge of software history is required for you to enjoy the intricate development debacles, near misses, and unexpected victories that Sutherland chronicles.
See Also: A to Z Mysteries – Book Series In Order
Just to give you an idea of what awaits you, here is the opening of chapter six, titled reality of the plan, not fantasy:
“hey jeff, we have a problem.”
This is how many of my phone conversations begin. people have backed into a corner, they pick up the phone and call me.
For some readers, the book may be too narrative, that is, too much about Sutherland. but for me, the structure of the story made the information more memorable.
A lot of the things he focuses on are the ones where really smart people did really bad things, not because they didn’t try hard enough or weren’t talented enough, but because they were setting themselves up for failure without realizing it. . scrum masters can use these stories as a working perspective on the sticky situations they face.
my favorite chapter has to do with the role happiness plays in individual and team success. sutherland gives scrum masters easy ways to start measuring happiness and positively impacting the emotional well-being of the team.
Sutherland was a United States Air Force fighter pilot; his view of his happiness is not feel good or new age in the least. he’s extremely hands-on, and his point of view on the subject can be really helpful in getting people on board on this critical yet often overlooked issue.
essential scrum: a practical guide to the most popular agile process by kenneth s. ruby
This is as close to a one stop shop as any scrum book. there is a real depth of analysis for each topic. The result is that scrum masters new and old will find value in scrum essentials.
When I say there are a lot of details, I really mean it. Rubin devotes a 17-page chapter to a full definition of “the sprint.” information is broken down intuitively, there are plenty of infographics, and by the end, you’ll know more about the essentials of sprint than you knew existed.
Each chapter is that comprehensive, which makes the book a great investment of time. but it’s worth the reward.
Another example is your product backlog overview, which includes backlog preparation and flow management. From there, Rubin spends the next two chapters delving into estimation, speed, and technical debt.
this whole book is well written. you will come away with a wealth of scrum knowledge. For scrum masters, this book will complement your day-to-day problems better than any of the shorter guides on this list.
Studying for your scrum master certification? scrum essentials is a must read.
scrum mastery: good to great servant leadership by geoff watts
the title of this book scrum is perfect. Watts dedicates every page to helping good scrum masters become great. When it comes to watts, there is always more to gain, whether in a meeting or during a sprint, and the scrum grandmaster helps his team discover and capitalize on this hidden potential.
The book comes to life as you read about the different teams Watts has worked with over the years. it is not difficult at all to learn from his experiences. His lessons help put meat on the bones of scrum theory.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey as a scrum master or agile coach or feel like your practice has started to plateau, you’ll find plenty of tips for getting unstuck.
The book is extremely helpful in dealing with the human dilemmas faced by scrum masters. for example, what does a cross-functional teammate look like? how do you train people to be more multifunctional? how do you deal with accountability in a self-organized team? The answers to these questions change by team, and watts helps you tackle them the right way.
See Also: Margaret Peterson Haddix – New York Times Bestselling Author
breaks the book down into the characteristics that make a great scrum master: respected, disruptive, facilitator, etc. each aspect is its own chapter.
This makes it different from most scrum books, which are organized around the basic framework of ceremonies, roles, and artifacts. however, as long as readers understand that, they should have no problem following it.
agile learning: understanding scrum, xp, lean, and kanban by andrew stellman & jennifer greene
Are you looking for a broader overview of agile that includes more than just scrum? I definitely recommend learning agile.
First of all, the section on scrum is fantastic in its own right. Stellman and Greene explain the “why” in each sentence. you get a strong sense of the differences that separate scrum teams from effective scrum teams.
and is well supported by examples, exercises, and discussions to help you prepare for real life scenarios.
on top of that, you get an equally strong treatment of agile, xp, kanban, and lean. this is invaluable to scrum masters, especially those with a team or company just beginning to adopt scrum. A broader understanding of other agile methodologies will help a scrum master make sense of the diverse experience of her team.
for example, if one of your testers worked with xp for years before joining this scrum team, they will have a different but no less valid perspective on how to approach issues.
Those outside the team may also be a bit confused about the difference between scrum and other agile methodologies. a scrum master with a good general understanding, the agile neighborhood would be a go-to resource when there is confusion about where to apply different methods.
My favorite section delves into each value of scrum and builds on examples from other parts of the book. this shows how relevant the scrum values are to every aspect of building healthy teams and ongoing product development.
additional scrum books
The above are my all-time favorites. but here are three more worth checking out if they didn’t quench your thirst for scrum knowledge.
agile team coaching: a companion for scrummasters, agile coaches, and transitioning project managers by lyssa adkins
The only reason this isn’t on the official list is because both Šochová’s and Rubin’s scrum books are from the same series. however, adkins book is tremendous. I recommend pretty much all of addison-wesley’s books on scrum.
a book on scrum: the spirit of the game by jeff sutherland
could this be the 2019 stocking stuffer for scrum masters? It is Jeff Sutherland’s latest scrum book and the credits include a long list of scrum stars.
agile retrospectives: making good teams great by esther derby & diana larsen
old but good. is packed with theory and practical advice to get the most out of this crucial scrum ceremony.
Do you have a favorite scrum book that I didn’t include here? leave it in the comments!
See Also: Stephen Frey – Book Series In Order