How and why to run a scrum of scrums

A scrum of scrums is a collaborative approach aimed at improving communication and coordination among multiple teams working on the same project, especially when scaling beyond three teams. Unlike traditional scrum frameworks, it serves as an add-on that enhances existing project management methods, whether they be scrum, Kanban, or others, by facilitating regular meetings among team representatives to address dependencies and blockers. The essence of a scrum of scrums is to streamline communication, ensuring that the right issues are tackled efficiently and that the process is not overwhelmed by excessive meetings. The meetings are typically structured either weekly or daily, focusing on high-level updates and specific needs from other teams. It is critical to limit participation to a manageable number, usually around seven representatives, to maintain effective communication. The flexibility of the scrum of scrums allows it to be adapted to various organizational structures and frameworks, making it a valuable tool for promoting effective collaboration without altering the core project management framework.