by Jason Gardner (ed.)
Let’s face it—many daily stand-ups are anything but Agile.
They drag. They wander. They turn into status updates or technical rabbit holes. And worst of all, they lose sight of the whole reason they exist: to keep the team aligned and moving toward the Sprint Goal.
If your team’s stand-up feels like a forced habit instead of a tactical tool, it’s time for a tune-up.
Why Do We Even Have This Meeting?
The daily Scrum isn’t just calendar filler. It’s a 15-minute planning session where the development team syncs up and adjusts the plan for the day based on progress toward the Sprint Goal.
Let’s be clear on what this is not
- A status report for the Scrum Master
- A problem-solving session disguised as a team check-in
- A glorified Jira-reading exercise
It is:
- A timeboxed alignment moment
- A chance to raise and swarm blockers
- A quick pulse-check on team momentum
Treat it that way.
Want Better Stand-ups? Try These Techniques
1. Lead With the Sprint Goal
If no one can say what the Sprint Goal is, you’ve already lost. Ground the discussion in value, not in task completion.
2. Timebox Like You Mean It
15 minutes. Not 16. Not 25 “just this once.” The second you let it slide, you’re signaling that time doesn’t matter—and it really does.
3. Let the Team Drive
The Scrum Master ensures the event happens, but this is the development team’s meeting. Don’t hijack it—support it.
4. Throw Out the Script
“What did you do yesterday?” Yawn. Encourage natural flow instead of forcing everyone through the same three-question routine like Agile robots.
5. Yes, Actually Stand Up
Posture affects focus. If everyone’s slouched in a chair scrolling Slack, don’t be surprised when engagement tanks.
6. Use the Board (and Walk It Backward)
Whether physical or digital, walk the board from Done to To Do. It helps prioritize what’s closest to value and keeps things goal-oriented.
Avoid These Common Anti-Pattern
Reporting to the Scrum Master
If people are giving updates to the Scrum Master instead of interacting with each other, you’re managing, not collaborating.
Solving Problems on the Spot
If someone says, “This will only take a minute,” hit pause. It won’t. Log it. Solve it later.
Ghost Team Members
Regular absences or checked-out contributors? That’s not just a stand-up problem—it’s a team health problem. Don’t ignore it.
Treating It Like a To-Do List Review
Tasks ≠ value. Don’t fall into the trap of checking off boxes without connecting to the bigger picture.
Quick Wins for Tomorrow’s Stand-up
- Start with the Sprint Goal
- Walk the board right to left (Done → Doing → To Do)
- Rotate who leads the meeting
- Park off-topic chatter for follow-up
- Actually end at 15 minutes (or before)—no exceptions
The daily Scrum isn’t just Agile theater—it’s where your team decides whether today moves the needle or just checks a box.
Used right, it’s a tactical weapon. Used wrong, it’s just another meeting people mentally skip.
Ready to Raise the Bar?
At Platinum Edge, we help teams get their Agile practices off autopilot. From coaching Scrum Masters to tuning ceremonies that actually work, we make agility real—and results visible.
Let’s talk about leveling up your stand-ups (and everything else)
