Empiricism

5 minutes 5 Questions

Empiricism is one of the key principles underpinning the Scrum framework and lies at the heart of adapting to change and continuous improvement. It implies that knowledge originates directly from practical experience and observations. The empirical approach equips the team with the ability to adapt to changes by inspecting and adapting based on evidence rather than assumptions or predilections. The three pillars of empiricism include transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Transparency allows all aspects of a process to be visible to those who are responsible for managing the results. Inspection involves regular examination of both the product and the processes used to deliver it to uncover any potential problems or discrepancies. Adaptation means adjusting tactics if the inspection indicates that it's necessary to optimize effectiveness and productivity.

Guide: Understanding Empiricism in Scrum (PSM-I)

Empiricism is one of the foundational principles of Scrum, it emphasizes decision making based on observation and experimentation, rather than theoretical concepts.

Importance of Empiricism: Empiricism is vital in Scrum as it promotes adaptability and continuous improvement. Since empirical process control relies on the three pillars of Scrum - transparency, inspection, and adaptation, it allows the product and the process to evolve according to the actual requirements and circumstances.

What is Empiricism? It is a philosophical belief that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. In Scrum, empiricism is the process control type used, meaning work is done in cycles and progress is based on observations of reality, not fictional plans.

How does Empiricism work? Empiricism follows iterations and feedback cycles. Work is divided into phases called 'sprints'. After each sprint, the Scrum team generates an increment of potentially shippable functionality and reflects on its performance before moving on to the next Sprint.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Empiricism
1. Understand the three pillars of Scrum - transparency, inspection, and adaptation and how they relate to Empiricism.
2. Be able to explain why Empiricism is important in Scrum, especially the role it plays in adaptation and process improvement.
3. Know examples of Empirical processes in Scrum, like Sprints and Retrospectives.
4. Be prepared to explain how Empiricism encourages a culture of learning and adaptability.
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PSM I - Empiricism Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Empiricism

Question 1

A Scrum team identifies that they consistently underestimate the time required to complete user stories. Applying Empiricism, what should be their next action?

Correct Answer: The team should review and adjust their estimation techniques, perhaps by experimenting with different estimation methods or by refining their definition of done to ensure more accurate estimations.

Empiricism involves using empirical evidence to make decisions and solve problems. The correct action for a team consistently underestimating their work is to inspect the way they estimate, understand why their estimations are off, and adapt their estimating techniques to improve accuracy. This iterative process of inspection and adaptation is central to Scrum and agile methodologies. The wrong answers suggest adopting an entirely different methodology, focusing solely on velocity and technical improvement, or conducting an overly detailed analysis that may not directly address estimation techniques—all of which miss directly addressing the empirical process of adjust estimations based on past experiences.

Question 2

An Agile team consistently misses their sprint goals and has low customer satisfaction. As per Empiricism, which action should the team prioritize?

Correct Answer: Inspect the process and adapt by implementing continuous improvements based on feedback.

Empiricism emphasizes continuous improvements and learning from feedback. By inspecting the process and adapting through iterative improvements, the team adheres to empirical principles, which should in turn improve their performance and customer satisfaction.

Question 3

In an Agile project, a team encounters a new challenge which requires a unique solution. What should the team do to address this challenge?

Correct Answer: Implement a solution, inspect the results, and adapt based on these findings.

In an Agile project that follows Empiricism, teams should implement a solution, inspect the results, and adapt based on their findings. This is because empiricism-driven teams believe that learning comes from incremental improvement and continuously gaining feedback.

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