Scrum

Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time challenges the outdated assumption that productivity comes from working harder, planning more, or increasing control. Instead, Sutherland demonstrates that the key to exceptional performance lies in improving how we work rather than how much work we do. Scrum provides a lightweight framework built on transparency, rapid learning cycles, prioritization, and relentless focus on delivering value. It replaces command-and-control management with self-organizing teams that collaborate intensely and adapt quickly. It removes waste, reduces multitasking, and creates environments where creativity and improvement flourish.

Scrum proves that by breaking work into small increments, inspecting progress frequently, adjusting based on real feedback, and focusing on outcomes rather than activity, teams can achieve extraordinary results. Real-world examples—from saving premature infants, to modernizing the FBI’s systems, to improving student learning—show that Scrum is not just a process change but a transformation in mindset. Ultimately, Scrum teaches that uncertainty is inevitable, but failure is not; success comes from how quickly we learn and adapt. It offers a roadmap to deliver better results faster, more sustainably, and with greater human satisfaction — truly doing twice the work in half the time.

Jeff Sutherland is the co-creator of the Scrum framework and a founding signer of the Agile Manifesto. He began his career as a US Air Force fighter pilot, where he mastered rapid decision-making techniques that influenced Scrum’s development. He later worked in medical research and technology before leading multiple organizations through dramatic productivity transformation. As CEO, CTO, and consultant to companies around the world, he has helped firms like Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon, and Boeing implement Scrum. Sutherland founded Scrum Inc., which continues to train teams globally. His work has reshaped how modern organizations build products and solve problems, making Scrum one of the most widely adopted management frameworks in the world.