Scrum is like sex: you won’t learn it from a book. You only understand Scrum by doing it. At the same time you can learn a lot from reading books. We always get to work first, run into things and then look for information. This often results in a study on a subject. We still prefer to read from paper; in the evening in an easy chair with quiet music on.
Anyway, on this page we collect books about scrum and agile working that we find worthwhile:
Scrum a pocket guide – Gunther Verheijen (*****)
This small book is a kind of bible for scrum masters and agile coaches. Read it every now and then and keep getting new insights. Clearly and powerfully worded. Recommended! Buy >>
Scrum – Jeff Sutherland (****)
In this book by scrum founder Jeff Sutherland you get a good idea of the history of scrum. You have to read through Jeff’s ego a bit, but otherwise it is very useful if you want to know why there is a Product owner or a scrum master. Where the daily comes from. How to determine the length of a sprint. And more… Buy >>
The Scrum Models Book – Rik van der Wardt (****)
Nice reading book and handy reference book with all kinds of models and techniques around agile working, with a focus on the scrum framework. Read my review on Linkedin here.
The suprising power of liberating structures – Henri Lipmanovich and Keith McCandles (****)
This is the basic book for anyone who wants to get started with liberating structures. It is a bit boringly written, but both gentlemen think that the emphasis should not be on ‘liberating’ but on ‘structures’. Buy >>
The power of scrum – Rini van Solingen (**)
Well-intentioned, but for us a somewhat too scientific argument about scrum. We miss the ‘power’ that the title promises. Complete. Buy >>
Success with scrum – Wouter Tengeler (***)
Extensive book that goes much further than the scum framework, such as agile scaling. With this book, too, I get the feeling that practice is once again more unruly than the (beautiful) theory. Buy >>