What are stand-ups?
These 15-minute meetings are held on a daily basis as a means to assess progress on a project. In the scrum approach, meeting attendees focus on recent achievements made, current work being completed, and any obstacles being faced. These three topics are brought up in the form of key discussion questions. Then in the Kanban approach, the focus shifts more toward the issues at hand and how those issues can be solved.
How do they help agile teams?
Stand-ups help to keep everyone on track and aware of what other team members are working on. This transparency is critical in ensuring that the team works together in the most effective and efficient way. The stand-up also allows for quick problem-solving -- if someone is stuck on a task, the team can brainstorm a solution in the moment. All problems must be voiced and resolved as swiftly as possible.
Furthermore, stand-ups help to create a sense of accountability within the team. There are always questions to be asked, blockers to be identified, and suggestions to be offered. Since each team member has to report their progress and address their challenges at the daily stand-up, there is extra motivation for them to stay focused and get their work done.
How do they benefit clients?
On the other hand, stand-ups provide clients with regular updates on the status of a project. This allows them to see the progress being made in real time. This type of visibility keeps clients happy and engaged with the project.
Through stand-ups, clients also have the opportunity to provide feedback and raise any concerns they may have. This steady flow of information back and forth between the two parties allows for clients to feel more satisfied with their involvement.
Start implementing stand-ups now!
So there you have it -- stand-ups are important for agile teams and clients alike! If you're not already making use of them, we highly recommend giving them a try. You just might find that they make a world of difference to your agile process.
