Reading The Scrum Guide Is an Empirical Process Itself

A quick question for all you Scrum enthusiasts out there:

"On a scale of 1 to 6, how familiar are you with Scrum Guide?"

1. "Scrum...what now?"
2. "I know that it exists but I've never actually read it. Experience is more important anyway."
3. "I've heard about it, I'm planning to read it someday."
4. "Yes, of course, I've read it before I did my exam."
5. "... (everything in between)"
6. "Yes, I often read it to refresh my Scrum knowledge."

You'll be surprised how many Scrum practitioners find themselves between 1 and 5. If you're one of them, it's fine, relax...I'm not the Scrum Police. I would, however, like to invite you to read it again. While you read it, see if you can uncover new things. Challenge your knowledge, learn new things and perhaps even unlearn old habits. Here, I'll make it easy for you by adding the URL here.

If you finish reading the Scrum Guide, promise me that you won't make the mistake of never reading the Scrum Guide again.

Why Should You Always Reiterate Reading the Scrum Guide?

There is something quite special about the Scrum Guide and how it is written.

The Scrum Guide is written in a way that the more knowledge and understanding you gain about Scrum, the more you will discover while reading it. Again and again and again...

This has nothing to do with you not understanding the Scrum Guide. It is important to know that when you read the Scrum Guide, it is a continuous inspect and adapt cycle on its own. I've been practicing Professional Scrum for 12+ years now, teaching Scrum all around the world, and I find it very valuable to read the Scrum Guide on a regular basis. Apart from the version changes, every time I read the Scrum Guide, I seem to discover new words or interpreting things differently. The more knowledge and understanding I gain, the more I discover while reading the Scrum Guide.

So, to all Scrum practitioners out there, experienced or not, I encourage you to apply empiricism on the Scrum Guide.

I almost want to say:

"If you're unable to re-discover new things in the Scrum Guide, you're probably not evolving."