Learn Scrum by Writing a Crime Story
ScrumTale is a hands-on simulation game where teams collaborate to write a detective story while practicing the Scrum framework. No slides, no lectures – your team learns by doing.
Why ScrumTale Works
Three things that make crime story writing the perfect Scrum simulation.
Real Product Complexity
Unlike building with blocks, writing fiction creates ambiguous requirements, creative disagreements, and the constant question of what “done” means – just like real product development.
Genuine Engagement
People care about their story. When the plot doesn’t make sense after Sprint 2, the team has a real conversation about integration and Definition of Done – not because a slide told them to.
Discovery, Not Instruction
Participants discover Scrum principles themselves through experience. When they waste Sprint 1 because they skipped requirements, they don’t need you to explain why Sprint Planning matters.
How a Workshop Runs
3-6 hours. 5-17 participants. Multiple Sprints. One unforgettable learning experience.
Sprint Planning
The Product Owner presents the crime story vision. The team selects story elements from the Backlog – characters, scenes, clues, plot twists – and estimates using Planning Poker.
Sprint Execution
The team writes their part of the story collaboratively using story cards. Creative decisions mirror real software development: requirements are ambiguous, interpretations differ, the “code” needs to integrate.
Daily Scrum
Quick standup to synchronize. Teams discover why this event matters when they realize two people wrote contradicting plot lines.
Sprint Review
The team presents their story increment to the stakeholder. The biggest insight happens here: the Review is not a presentation – it’s a feedback session. The stakeholder reacts, redirects, and asks for changes.
Retrospective & Next Sprint
What went well? What to improve? The team makes concrete commitments – and tests them immediately in the next Sprint. After 3-4 rounds, they have a complete crime story and a deep, felt understanding of Scrum.
What Your Team Learns
The complete Scrum framework through direct experience – not theory.
Scrum Roles
The Product Owner learns to prioritize when everything feels important. The Scrum Master discovers the difference between managing and serving. Developers learn to self-organize under real constraints.
Scrum Events
Every event happens naturally during the game. Participants don’t just know what a Sprint Review is – they know what it feels like when the stakeholder changes direction mid-story.
Product Development
- Iterative delivery – building chapter by chapter
- Backlog management & prioritization
- Planning Poker estimation
- Integration challenges across teams
- Story Mapping & MVP thinking
Team Dynamics
- Self-organization under pressure
- Creative collaboration & conflict resolution
- Communication when the plot breaks
- Continuous improvement across Sprints
Who Uses ScrumTale
From Fortune 500 companies to business schools.
Professional Scrum Trainers
Replace hours of slides with hands-on learning that participants actually remember. Available in 5 languages for international trainers.
Corporate Training & HR
Onboard new teams to Scrum. The crime story format needs no technical background – marketing, finance, and HR teams engage just as deeply.
Team-Building Events
Build communication, creativity, and teamwork through collaborative story-writing that also delivers lasting process skills.
Universities & Education
Teach project management and Agile methodology through experiential learning instead of lectures.
Choose Your Edition
Three formats, one game. Pick the one that fits your training setup.
| Online Edition | Traveller Edition | ScrumTale Box | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Miro template | Portable kit | Full board game |
| Setting | Remote (Zoom + Miro) | In-person | In-person |
| Participants | Up to 17 | 5-17 | 5-17 |
| Duration | 3-6 hours | 3-6 hours | 3-6 hours |
| Best for | Remote & hybrid teams | Trainers on the go | Full workshop experience |
| Languages | English | 5 languages | 5 languages |
| Price | €99 | €249 | €495 |
| Get Online | Get Traveller | Get the Box |
All editions include free extensions. Language packs in German, Polish, Italian & Czech (€99 each).