No, we are not rugby players (we’re not quite that daring) but we have found that using Scrum techniques with our clients’ projects helps us to achieve goals and design requirements in a shorter amount of time and more effectively. What is Scrum? Before we can answer that, we first have to discuss the old way of doing things.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and iPhones were just pipe dreams, computer projects were designed using the Waterfall method. In a waterfall approach, all system goals, features, and functions are decided on at the very outset. A very rigid development structure is then followed, and there is very little leeway in terms of project changes. While this approach may be good for massive multinational software projects, it does not provide enough flexibility to make the changes that a typical web site project needs.

Enter Scrum! If you imagine the fast-paced, always changing game of rugby, then you are imagining the Scrum development methodolgy; we’re just passing around keyboards and code instead of footballs. Scrum is based on the notion of very short mini-deadlines (called sprints) with flexible specifications that allow a team to deliver a working product (if not the full product) at the end of every sprint. A general outline of how a Scrum project might go is as follows:

1. Brainstorm all of the features you want your project or web site to have, and write them all down
2. Decide on the priority of these features and split them into different iterations
3. For each iteration, divide the features and requirements again into sprints. Sprints should take between 3-10 days, and no more than 30. (At Spark Genius we like our sprints to be about five days.)
4. During each sprint, try and knock out all of the features for that sprint and make sure that the system is deliverable at the end of the sprint.
5. Rinse and repeat!

By following a Scrum development methodology, at the end of each iteration we can say, “Look, here’s the site, it’s going great!” If the client then comes back and says, “Yes, it does! But we’ve decided we really need to do X not Y,” then the change is caught early and is much easier and more cost-effective to change. Both the developers and the client are happier, and projects get done on time and are on budget more often than with the old Waterfall method. Scrum is fantastic for web development because web sites are dynamic, and can be very easily changed. After much experimentation, we at Spark Genius use the Scrum methodology to make sure that your project is a success.

Interested in more? Check out these other resources.

• Scrum Development on Wikipedia
• Great community resources from the Scrum Alliance
• Video: Scrum in 10 Minutes
• Cartoon: The Classic Story of the Pig and the Chicken (Explains roles in Scrum)

Utah Renaissance Main Page

URLC Sample Program

Client: Utah Renaissance & Leadership Center

Project: Custom Web Site

Summary: The Utah Renaissance and Leadership Center is a prestigious invitation-only organization offering weekend retreats to Utah families and individuals who “share a mutual appreciation for the value of [the] nation and the culture of [the] state.” Armed with only the concept and a logo, the organizers at URLC came to Spark Genius looking for a web site that reflected who they were.

The end product of our consultations and work is a very appealing, light web site, protected to allow only invitees to access critical information. Everything that an invitee might need to prepare and enjoy their retreat experience has been carefully included on the site.

Paperless Technologies Main Page

AJAX Walkthrough

Client: Paperless Technologies

Project: Web Site Design and Development, Back-end Application Development

Summary: With the industry’s most popular software already leading the way in dental and medical offices, Paperless Technologies needed the industry’s best web site to showcase their offerings as well. Spark Genius created an entirely custom design for the web site and developed the entire project from the ground up.

Paperless Technologies also had a nation-wide network of sales reps, and needed a closed-door system to track, rate, and encourage the sales force. In another completely custom endeavor, Spark Genius worked with management at Paperless Technologies to design a system that met all of their sales needs, and provided a robust system that sales reps found very helpful and easy to use.

Global One Main Page

AJAX Range Calendar

Client: Global One USA

Project: Complete Web Site Overhaul, Extensive Content Additions

Summary: When the owners of Global One USA decided it was time for a major change in their business direction, they also decided it was time for a major revision of their web site as well. After consulting with Spark Genius, the main points of revision included a brand new look and feel, a new range request and scheduling system, as well as a complete listing and online enrollment of their course offerings.

From start to finish, we really appreciated how the staff at Global One USA took the project seriously and were always quick and helpful in our communications. The new web site has already more than quadrupled previous incoming traffic, and Global One USA’s clientel have also expressed how much they love the new site!

We plan to offer several free items to the community as well, just as a way of saying thank you. Check back later on for some of these little treasures.

In the meantime, thank you for stopping by and let us know how we can help you.