What happens if Scrum events are not conducted as prescribed?

When Scrum events are not conducted as prescribed, the most significant consequence is the lost opportunities to inspect and adapt. Each Scrum event serves a specific purpose that contributes to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Scrum framework.

For instance, during the Sprint Review, the team reflects on the work completed and gathers feedback from stakeholders, allowing them to adapt their approach and priorities based on real-time feedback and insights. If this event is skipped or poorly executed, there will be no formal mechanism for assessing progress or making necessary adjustments, which can hinder the team's ability to respond to changes in requirements or market conditions.

Similarly, the Sprint Retrospective provides an opportunity for the team to reflect on their processes and dynamics, fostering continuous improvement. Not conducting this event means the team misses out on recognizing what aspects of their work are effective and what can be enhanced, further stunting their development.

In summary, failing to conduct Scrum events properly disrupts the inspect-and-adapt cycle that is fundamental to Agile practices. This impacts the team's ability to improve their processes and product, leading to potential inefficiencies and stagnant practices over time.