Has Scrum Peaked Too Soon?

I rarely write about Scrum anymore. Not because I suddenly dislike it, but because my work has gradually moved in a different direction.

Still, I sometimes wonder whether Scrum peaked too soon. During the 10 years I worked as a Professional Scrum Trainer at Scrum.org, I delivered dozens of training sessions. One thing always stood out to me…

The case studies used to explain the urgency of Scrum were often quite old. Think of the Kodak story. A company that missed the shift to digital photography.

We also talked a lot about the VUCA world and why organizations needed to become more agile to survive. But looking back, the past decade did not really feel that VUCA for many organizations. Business was generally good. Training budgets were high. Agile and Scrum spread rapidly. 🥳

Yet, in many places, it felt more like a nice-to-have than a necessity.

Ironically, today’s world actually feels far more VUCA. Markets shift quickly. Technology evolves fast. Many organizations struggle to stay relevant. The need for innovation, adaptation, and agility has probably never been higher.

The golden age for Agile Coaches, Scrum Masters, and Scrum Trainers! Right? Well, apparently not. Many people in those roles are currently struggling to find work. Just when agility is arguably needed most, many organizations seem to be moving away from Scrum and its associated roles.

So what happened? 🤷‍♀️

👉 Do organizations see Agile and Scrum as something optional after all?
👉 Do they believe agility matters, but they need different roles in times of crisis?
👉 Or did the Agile industry spend years optimizing for certifications, roles, and training… while organizations actually needed something else?

Curious to hear how others see this.