Scrum, Agile, Lean… these are terms you hear everywhere these days, from start-ups to established corporations. But what does it really mean to apply Scrum in your work? That is exactly what we as Venturn Young Professionals discovered during a three-part, interactive Scrum training course led by Rogier Ammerlaan and Jos Punter on behalf of Ammerlaan IT Training & Advies. Together with Robert Roosen (VYP), we look back on the first two days of training.
Why Scrum? Why now?
On Wednesday evening, July 2, we delved into the world behind the Scrum Manifesto. Jos Punter took us through the origins of this working method, and we explored why Scrum is increasingly being used outside of IT, for example in consulting, HR, and even construction. For young professionals like us, this is no luxury: Scrum offers structure, guidance, and a way of working that focuses on agility and collaboration. In a world where everything is changing faster than ever, it is essential to be able to adapt quickly. This is where Agile working comes in.
Our participation in this training fits in with our broader development as VYPers: it not only gives us more in-depth knowledge, but also concrete tools to work more effectively with clients and colleagues.
From theory to LEGO city: a day of building understanding
Following the theoretical kick-off, we dove into practice during the second session, under the guidance of Rogier Ammerlaan. While the morning was devoted to deepening our understanding of the theory, the afternoon transformed into creative chaos: the LEGO Scrum simulation.
“Armed with blocks, time pressure, and a product backlog, we worked together in three teams to build a single city.”
Surprisingly, this was more complex than it sounds. Each team had its own tasks, but everything ultimately had to come together on a single map with spatial limitations. The coordination, the prioritization of user stories, the daily stand-ups… suddenly all the pieces of the Scrum puzzle came together. The roles became clear: the Product Owner who makes decisions, the Scrum Master who monitors the flow, the development team that works iteratively on value and adapts to new insights.
Scrum in practice: what do we take with us?
The insights gained from this training are not only valuable, they are directly applicable. Whether it concerns a customer project, an internal meeting, or a personal workflow, we now have the tools to look at work differently.
Robert’s main takeaway: “Although the working method has been worked out in detail in a manifesto and user guides, Scrum has different elements, disciplines, and working methods. There is no such thing as ‘Agile police’ that enforces compliance with the manifesto. Instead, find which elements work well for your organization. If that isn’t ‘adaptive’, then I don’t know what is!”
On to the certificate and beyond
The training will soon be followed up with a sequel, in which we will work towards the official Scrum certificate. Apart from the fact that this certification is a welcome addition to your resume, the theory discussed and the practical insights are directly applicable to our assignments and daily work.
Rogier Ammerlaan and Jos Punter, thank you for the insights, knowledge, and above all, the enthusiasm during the training sessions. While for some it was a general introduction to the world of Agile, for others it was a deepening or theoretical addition to the experience they already had with Scrum. All in all, it was a versatile training course that made everyone wiser.
Curious about the Venturn Young Professional program?
Are you curious about Scrum, Agile, Lean, or what else the VYP traineeship has to offer? Read more about the traineeship on our website. Would you rather talk to one of our young professionals? That’s possible too! Fill in the contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the possibilities.
