Scrum Master

Basic

difficulty

Stage 1

Agile IQ® Level

Governance

Practices

Scrum

Framework

Introduction

The Scrum Master is a role in Scrum – an Agile Framework for optimising the delivery of products. In most organisations, when someone is given this responsibility, they are concurrently given the authority necessary for success. Scrum Masters are in a different situation.

The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organisation.

Myths about the role

The Scrum Master isn’t:

An agile project manager. Project Management roles and responsibilities focus on managing and controlling projects – a very different set of skills and accountabilities to a Scrum Master. As of 2020, Scrum is defined as an Agile Product Management framework, not a project management delivery methodology.
The team manager. A Scrum Master influences through expert power and referent power. A Scrum Master is the manager of the effectiveness of Scrum, but their authority begins and ends with Scrum.
A delivery manager. The Scrum Master isn’t accountable for the tasks or the delviery of work.
A team lead. Scrum Teams are self-managing. No one person is responsible for delivery, technical or otherwise.
Team secretary. The person who updates the Scrum board. Given Scrum Teams are self-managing, who ever does the work should ensure they keep what they are doing transparent by updating the board themselves.

Why is understanding Scrum Theory important?

Understanding and mastering Scrum Theory helps a Scrum Master talk with their team and stakeholders and communicate “why” Scrum is important and effective. Understanding empiricism is key. Empiricism, inspecting Scrum artefacts and adapting the plan, is an important risk mitigation strategy. The transparency that results from empiricism helps teams and their stakeholders be confident that delivery will be successful.

EXPECTATIONS

Coach the team

Scrum Masters are expected to be true leaders who serve the Scrum Team and the larger organisation. The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including:

Coaching the team members in self-management and cross-functionality.
Helping the Scrum Team focus on creating high-value Increments that meet the Definition of Done.
Causing the removal of impediments to the Scrum Team’s progress. This doesn’t mean the Scrum Master removes impediments themselves – if they do this, they rob others in the Scrum Team of the opportunity to learn how to self-organise and self-manage.
Ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the timebox.

Coach the Product Owner

Helping find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management.
Helping the Scrum Team understand the need for clear and concise Product Backlog items.
Helping establish empirical product planning for a complex environment.
Facilitating stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed.

Coach stakeholdeers and the wider organisation

Leading, training, and coaching the organisation in its Scrum adoption.
Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organisation.
Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach for complex work.
Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams.

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