Overview
Daily standup (or daily scrum) is a short team meeting, typically 15 minutes, where team members share progress, plans, and obstacles to maintain alignment and identify blockers.
Format
Each team member answers:
- What did I accomplish yesterday?
- What will I do today?
- What blockers am I facing?
Time Management Benefits
- Quick synchronization (15 min max)
- Reduces need for longer meetings
- Identifies blockers early
- Maintains team alignment
- Minimal schedule disruption
Best Practices
Timing
- Same time daily
- 15-minute timebox
- Standing (keeps it brief)
- Early in workday
Focus
- Update team, not manager
- Surface blockers
- Defer detailed discussions
- Action-oriented
Efficiency
- Start on time
- One person speaks
- Parking lot for deep dives
- End on time
Async Alternative
For distributed teams across time zones:
- Written updates in Slack/tool
- Video recordings
- Threaded discussions
- 24-hour response window
Common Problems
- Running too long (> 15 min)
- Becoming status reports
- Solving problems in standup
- Missing team members
- Lack of preparation
Solutions
- Strict timeboxing
- Parking lot for issues
- Pre-written updates
- Consistent attendance
- Focus on commitments
