Applying Scrum Principles in Home Renovation II: Flexibility and Focus

When we first set out to renovate our home, our roadmap seemed straightforward: live in the house, tackle each room sprint by sprint, and gradually transform it into our dream space. But as in any project, real life has a way of upending even the best-laid plans. A detailed inspection showed we were in for much more foundational work than anticipated, making it impractical to live inside while renovating.

This challenge pushed us to pivot and adapt—something Agile professionals know well. Instead of renting elsewhere, we embraced a unique, lean solution: moving into a cozy, minimalist structure in our garden, an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for living close to our renovation work. And while it wasn’t our original plan, this agile setup has quickly shown its worth, giving us the freedom to manage our project without external pressure. Here’s how our makeshift home base has enhanced both our renovation and my journey as an Agile enthusiast.

In true Agile fashion, our temporary housing solution has allowed us to iterate on our renovation with each sprint. Our initial assumption—that we could stay inside the house during the work—had to be discarded. By adjusting our scope and approach, we’ve freed ourselves from rigid timelines, moving forward at a pace that lets us address challenges as they arise.

With this setup, we’ve been able to address dependencies, unforeseen issues, and even create a backlog of items to tackle in a prioritized, organized way. This flexibility aligns closely with Agile values, reminding us that in both renovations and projects, adaptability often leads to the best outcomes.

Every new stage of the project has been a lesson in backlog refinement. At first, we worked from a high-level backlog of what needed to be done throughout the house, but as we made progress, we learned to break down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Prioritizing tasks became key, especially in deciding which room or area to tackle next. We’ve learned to group tasks based on dependencies, keeping our renovation team—and ourselves—aligned and informed.

Much like in Scrum, we’re constantly refining our approach with each sprint, adding new items to the backlog or adjusting the order as new information arises. This iterative approach has kept us flexible and open to discovery, ensuring each completed milestone builds smoothly into the next phase.

Our little “MVP” garden home has given us exactly what we need to stay both focused and agile. By stepping back from the construction dust and living in a space that’s intentionally simple, we can keep our sights on the bigger picture without feeling overwhelmed. This decision has reduced the pressure to “release” rooms before they’re truly ready and given us the space to focus on each area with care.

Being right next to the worksite has allowed us to keep communication lines open with contractors, much like a daily stand-up meeting with the team. Whether discussing next steps, removing blockers, or aligning on the day’s tasks, this open communication has ensured that we’re constantly improving on how we work together.

In any Agile project, retrospectives are vital for reflecting on what went well and where improvements can be made, and our renovation is no different. After each phase, we conduct an informal retrospective, discussing lessons learned and what could go more smoothly in the next stage. With each new sprint, we’re getting better at identifying dependencies, anticipating contractor schedules, and fine-tuning our communication.

One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is the importance of clear communication and specific instructions. Early on, we realized that “repaint the walls” could mean different things to different people, leading to small but impactful miscommunications. Now, we’re meticulous about defining tasks and outcomes—an Agile lesson that has translated seamlessly back into my work as a coach.

This renovation journey has reaffirmed that Agile values aren’t just for the office—they’re a mindset that can transform any project. Moving out has given us flexibility to take on each phase thoughtfully, adjusting as we learn, and finding new solutions along the way. Our temporary home in the garden may not have been the original plan, but it’s proven to be a valuable MVP, creating space for us to focus and prioritize what really matters.

For anyone considering a renovation, personal project, or leading a team, I hope our story inspires you to embrace the unexpected, iterate as you go, and celebrate the progress you make, however small. Agile principles bring a unique clarity and resilience to the journey—whether you’re building software, a new skill, or the home of your dreams. If you’re ready to embrace this mindset and guide teams through challenges with focus and adaptability, our Certified Scrum Master (CSM) course is the perfect next step.