Can Scrum work with mediocre developers? [closed]

Question

Anyone ever tried to assimilate Scrum to a team where most developers are just mediocre? I mean developers who aren't the most tech savvy, has bad time-management skills, but most of all - lack the sense of personal responsibility and commitment.

Do you think it can work? Or would you try a different methodology?

Answer 1

I've implemented Scrum with such a team.

It took a few iterations for them to get on board, but they discovered that Scrum made them better developers. They appreciated being able to influence the process. At each iteration's retrospective we examined success factors and challenges, and as a team we worked to eliminate the barriers the challenges created.

At that year's annual employee recognition dinner, my team nominated me for an achievement award: not for my achievements, but for the achievements the team was able to attain as a result of moving to Scrum.

Too many teams are beaten down and demotivated because they don't have a say in the process. The lack of personal responsibility and commitment may be an artifact of the current development process, and Scrum may help your team overcome that.

Answer 2

The Agile Manifesto disclaimer is telling on your question. In the first point:

'Individuals and interactions over processes and tools '

I think if the individuals have problems then methodology is futile.