The Scrum Team is initially presented with three questions during The Daily:
1. What tasks have I completed yesterday?
2. What are my plans for today?
3. Are there any obstacles in my way?
Due to various considerations, the team opts to introduce a fourth question as part of their continuous improvement process.
Below are some examples of additional questions that can be included as part of the 4th question in The Daily
:
1. How do you feel?
Asking this question is particularly beneficial, especially for a newly formed team or one that needs to enhance its collaboration. The aim of this question is to foster closer connections among team members and establish a personal bond.
Sharing genuine feelings helps team members become more transparent with each other, enhancing trust within the team and overall emotional intelligence.
Responding to this fourth question can boost energy levels and interaction during the Daily, transforming the team from a Funeral Daily to an Exotic Daily.
If it becomes evident that this fourth question is resulting in monotonous responses merely for the sake of checking in, it should either be removed or replaced with a different question.
When introducing this fourth question, the Scrum Master should first clarify the question's purpose, and the team should collectively agree to give it a try.
2. What about the Sprint Goal - How far/close are we from achieving our Sprint Goal?
When the Team faces challenges in reaching its Sprint Goal, asking this question can be very beneficial. It helps the Team understand the significance of the Sprint Goal and encourages regular discussions about it. Over time, the Team will develop the ability to adapt and ensure the successful completion of the Sprint, or at least make a sincere attempt to do so.
Consider posing this question midway through the Sprint or during the final days if it hasn't been discussed daily.
3. Anything to Test?
This question is relevant in situations where there is no tester in the team and everyone provides support, or when the team has faced bottlenecks in testing and wishes to proactively address this issue. If responding to this question becomes repetitive, it should be eliminated.
4. When are you available today? (from Jonathan Ray)
For team members who collaborate on numerous tasks, this question holds significance. It helps them determine the right time to interact with each other, especially considering that the Product Owner is often tied up in meetings. Some team members even share their preferred communication channels and contact details for special circumstances. This question is particularly crucial for distributed teams where physical interactions are limited, making it essential to know when someone is available at their desk.
If you choose to introduce one of these four questions to your team, ensure it is done within a specific timeframe and pay close attention during the Daily to assess its impact on the team. These questions offer a great opportunity to break the routine of the Daily and experiment with something new.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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