Zombie Scrum

By Miranda Dulin

Published in Glossary

October 12, 2023

1 min read

Definition of Zombie Scrum

Zombie Scrum is a state where Scrum ceremonies are conducted mechanically without enthusiasm or genuine collaboration.

Back of a vocabulary card for the term Zombie Scrum

Example Sentence

The team’s lack of engagement turned their process into a Zombie Scrum.

Agile practitioners should be familiar with “Zombie Scrum” because it highlights the dangers of a superficial adoption of Scrum. It describes a state where teams practice Scrum rituals without reaping the benefits or embodying the agile mindset. Understanding Zombie Scrum helps practitioners recognize the signs of dysfunctional Scrum implementation, such as lack of self-organization, absence of value delivery, or a focus on ceremonies over actual collaboration and improvement. Addressing Zombie Scrum can rejuvenate teams by emphasizing the need for deeper agile principles and values rather than just following rituals mechanically.