One of the three main parties in the Scrum methodology is the Scrum Master, a person who oversees the entire development team and ensures that they are adhering to Scrum principles. They are also responsible for facilitating collaboration, removing roadblocks, and managing various other duties. In easy words, a Scrum Master plays a vital role in the Scrum framework and often utilizes project management software to enhance team efficiency and workflow management.
However, there is often much confusion about what a Scrum Master does as they have to wear a lot of hats, depending on what the situation asks of them. Read below to explore the primary role, responsibilities, and skills of a Scrum Master in driving successful Scrum projects.
A Scrum Master refers to the person whose primary purpose is to facilitate the entire Scrum methodology. They do this by creating an environment where Scrum steps, values and principles are properly followed. They also make sure that the team can collaborate effectively and remove any impediments or distractions that prevent the team from finishing the work.
However, an important distinction is to be made here. The Scrum Master generally does not dictate what the work should be. A Scrum Master’s job is to make sure that the proper Scrum guidelines are being followed, often using scrum project management software, so that the team can make all the necessary decisions on their own.
To put it simply, a Scrum Master is not a typical manager and is more akin to a coach or “servant-leader”, as per the Scrum Guide.
When Is A Scrum Master Needed?
A Scrum Master is necessary for any organization or team that is implementing an Agile Scrum methodology. Often, a lot of problems arise when trying to implement Agile practices: sometimes the cultural shift is too much for teams, sometimes it’s executed poorly. Having a Scrum Master on board makes these problems less likely to happen as the Scrum Master guides the team through the process and makes sure that all the pitfalls are removed.
Scrum Master vs. Project Manager
As stated previously, a Scrum Master is not in charge of the work itself. They have no direct authority whatsoever on the actual work being done and cannot direct the team to do specific tasks. In other words, Scrum Masters cannot act as team leader. Instead, their priorities lie in establishing proper Scrum practices and removing roadblocks.
Conversely, a project manager has the authority to make decisions that can alter the course of a project. Their job is to lead the team and ensure that the project is finished on time, unlike Scrum Masters who are only focused on coaching or facilitating the team.
Essentially, a project manager holds a more direct and authoritative role as a leader. In contrast, a Scrum Master is a more supportive role that focuses on ensuring that the team is performing at their best.
The role of a Scrum Master may seem straightforward thus far, but in reality, it is much more multifaceted than it may seem. There are several Scrum Master responsibilities and tasks such as:
- Implementing Scrum Practices: The primary role of a Scrum Master is to conduct all relevant Scrum practices, such as scrum meetings, sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint reviews and retrospectives.
- Coaching The Team: The Scrum Master has to coach all team members in certain disciplines such as self-management and various Scrum principles, so that the team can take the lead on their own, becoming more flexible as a result.
- Bridge Gap Between Teams And Stakeholders: Often, a Scrum Master acts as a middleman of sorts between the team and the rest of the organization. They remove the barriers between these two entities to ensure seamless communication.
- Building A Collaborative Environment: It’s the Scrum Master’s responsibility to create an environment where teamwork and open communication go together.
- Remove Distractions: As part of creating a good working environment, a Scrum Master often removes various impediments and distractions that threaten to delay a project.
A typical Scrum Master job description is to list a blend of technical and soft skills, and for a good reason. Having a combination of these ensures that the Scrum Master can understand exactly what the project requires and also empower their team to solve whatever problems may come their way, as demonstrated in a scrum example. To elaborate, these skills are:
- Scrum Knowledge: For a Scrum Master, a solid grasp of Scrum principles and values is essential. Additional knowledge of other Agile practices such as Kanban can also be a big help, but knowing all the ins-and-outs of Scrum, as well as real-life applications, is mandatory.
- Adaptability: Given the Agile nature of Scrum, a Scrum Master must have a certain level of flexibility as well as tenacity to handle unexpected challenges or new requirements.
- Teaching: The Scrum Master must be able to properly guide and teach all the members of the team. Without proper coaching, the team may not be able to improve their performance.
- Emotional Intelligence: Arguably the most important soft skill for a Scrum Master, emotional intelligence ensures that they can not only regulate and manage themselves, but also understand and empathize with their fellow team members.
- Communication Skills: To support the team, Scrum Masters must be able to clearly communicate to bridge the gap between stakeholders and the team.
- Conflict Resolution: To ensure that the project goes as smoothly as possible, Scrum Masters must be well versed in handling disagreements within the team and finding solutions.
To summarize:
- A Scrum Master is a professional who ensures that the Scrum framework is properly being followed, acting as a support for the entire team
- Other roles of a Scrum Master include coaching the team, building a collaborative environment and protecting the team from any roadblocks
- Scrum Masters also lessen the growing pains of a company when adopting an Agile or Scrum mindset
- Unlike typical project managers, a Scrum Master has no direct authority over the team and only serves to facilitate the Scrum process
- In order to become a Scrum Master, a combination of technical and soft skills is required
As more and more organizations embrace Agile methodologies, the need for a Scrum Master becomes greater as many of these organizations are starting from square one. While some may think that Scrum Masters are unnecessary, the presence of one is a tremendous help as they ensure that the project is more likely to finish on time and not hamstrung by any impediments. Therefore, Scrum Masters are indispensable to anyone attempting a Scrum workflow.
