A BAU team is already struggling to complete their daily BAU work. So, they should defer Value Maximization Scrum. True or False? Select the correct option(s) and click submit.
True – Instead of doing Value Maximization Scrum, they should rather use that time to complete a few more BAU tasks
False – Value Maximization Scrum must be done to achieve Audit compliance
True – BAU team should only do BAU work. They should not focus on anything else, including Value Maximization Scrum
False – They should start Value Maximization Scrum to identify the pain points and improve their way of doing the BAU work
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer(s):
✅ False – They should start Value Maximization Scrum to identify the pain points and improve their way of doing the BAU work
When a Business-As-Usual (BAU) team is struggling to complete their routine work, the instinctive response may be to avoid additional activities like Value Maximization Scrum. However, this approach is short-sighted and counterproductive. The purpose of Value Maximization Scrum is not to add more work but to help the team work smarter, not harder.
A Value Maximization Scrum helps teams assess the value delivered by their activities and identify inefficiencies or low-value tasks. If a BAU team is consistently overwhelmed, it suggests there are underlying issues in how work is prioritized, executed, or structured. This is exactly the kind of challenge that Value Maximization Scrum aims to address.
By adopting this practice, the team can:
- Surface the real causes of inefficiency (e.g., poor prioritization, duplicated efforts, outdated processes)
- Make informed decisions on what work to stop, start, or change
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement
- Improve focus on high-impact tasks rather than just being busy
Avoiding the Scrum under the belief that “we’re too busy” perpetuates a reactive culture. It leads to burnout, reduced morale, and stagnation. On the other hand, investing time in Scrum activities like retrospectives and prioritization discussions can yield significant returns in productivity and clarity over time.
Also, the claim that BAU teams should only do BAU work is flawed. No team operates in a vacuum. All teams must continuously adapt, innovate, and improve their processes—especially if they’re falling behind. That is the essence of agility and value-driven thinking.
Therefore, implementing Value Maximization Scrum is essential, especially when a team is struggling. It’s a proactive step toward breaking the cycle of overwhelm and building a more efficient, effective BAU operation.
