A scrum master plays the role of monitoring team members and makes sure if they are following the agile values and principles that the team agreed to abide by. The part of a scrum master was introduced to support the Script framework.
In the beginning, the founders intended to have scrum masters as the torch bearers of Scrum who would guide and coach other members to become efficient. However, this role is no longer authoritative because people in this role must follow the servant-leadership dynamics.
What does a Scrum Master exactly do?
Apart from ensuring that the team follows the proposed plan, a scrum master carefully eliminates all the obstacles that might hinder the growth of a team. They are the linking bridge between the central Scrum team and other teams. They ensure that the Scrum methodology is established according to the mandates of the Scrum Guide.
Scrum Masters must create and promote a productive environment in the workplace while guiding different teams to understand and implement Scrum concepts and best practices.
Managing a team is vital because Scrum methodology functions when a cohesive team can set goals, bring new software features, and deliver well-defined iterative cycles. Therefore, it becomes crucial to have someone who monitors, guides, and resolves conflicts in a team.
Responsibilities of Scrum Masters
Scrum masters wear multiple hats in their day-to-day responsibilities. Here’s a list of all the scrum master roles and responsibilities essential for the team’s functioning.
1. Teaching Scrum Practices and Principles
A Scrum Master is well-versed with all the Scrum practices and processes. Plus, they also know how to follow and execute the core values of Scrum. Whenever a new team member is added, the Scrum Master’s responsibility is to guide them so that the workflow is not hampered. They also evaluate whether or not the tasks completed by a team align with the values, practices, and principles of Scrum. If the team feels lost, a Scrum Master helps them refocus their vision and explore new ideas. It maximizes the business value because Scrum Masters are constantly working on improving the team.
2. Removes Hurdles
A Scrum Master does not let the team’s focus waiver due to circumstances and obstacles because they need to deliver tasks in each iteration. If anything interferes with their performance, it must be weeded out, especially when the team members are helpless.
For example, if too much clerical work is given to the team, which interferes with the task at hand, the Scrum Master can request to cut down the amount of clerical work that is non-essential. In addition to that, a Scrum Master can also redistribute workload to ease team members, resolve internal conflicts and disagreements between team members, to keep the progress intact.
3. Protects the Team
A Scrum Master also protects the team from external obstacles that hinder the growth of organizations by blocking the way of business values delivered in each sprint. There can be many interference scenarios, such as a manager who redirects team members in the middle of the project, too much workload, etc.
4. Helps with Product Backlog
Product Backlog is Scrum Master’s only responsibility that is not related to their team because they help the Product Owner to maintain and create a product backlog. Even though it is the owner’s responsibility, a Scrum Master helps the owner elevate and refine their products based on developmental needs.
Scrum Master’s are considered the best professionals for these roles because they can use the gathered information in stand-up meetings and schedule review meetings.
5. Plays the Role Of A Servant Leader
A Scrum Master is called a servant leader because they are supposed to increase and enhance teamwork rather than exercise power over the team. They offer their services to the group by playing the role of their leader. Therefore, qualities like humility, empathy, listening skills, negotiation skills, and encouraging others are important for these professionals.
They also guide the team through conflicts and debates while teaching, mentoring, and coaching the members to adopt Scrum. Scrum Masters not only prevent obstacles but help their section in learning how to do so and inculcating values of self-management.
6. Host’s Multiple Events
A Scrum Master is responsible for hosting multiple events that contribute to increasing the yield of the company. These include meetings, reviews, etc.
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Sprint Retrospective
A sprint retrospective meeting is conducted to obtain feedback from the team, where a Scrum Master notes down the areas of improvement that the group suggests. The idea is to get different perspectives and views from the entire team.
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Sprint Review
The Scrum Master also partakes in the review meeting where the stakeholders give their opinion and share feedback, used in the retrospective sessions where the team reflects on it and develops new ideas.
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Daily Stand-up
A Scrum Master doesn’t need to be present in Daily Scrum, but they are still responsible for timely conduct. The development team receives the logistics to coordinate Daily Scrum when they are not available or distributed.
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Sprint Planning Meeting
The development team should never select additional product backlog items by getting over-ambitious because that leads to a delay in the delivery cycle. So, the Scrum Master prevents this from happening and also guides the team by providing an estimate.
7. Trains Team Members
The Scrum Master is the trainer/coach of both the product owner and the development team. These professionals bridge the gap between the two and allow the product owner to exercise a certain degree of control over the product.
After working with the team for a considerable amount of time, the Scrum Master knows the strengths and weaknesses of their team and works on bringing out their best performance. They make sure that the team members remain productive and learn new things.
Scrum Masters are excellent at training because they do not resolve the conflict themselves but rather create a gateway for the team members to find a solution. They only get involved when the problem is not manageable, where they take responsibility and accountability for any inconvenience.
Conclusion
The Scrum Master is the guardian of the team. Their job is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that deliverables are on the right track. In addition, they play an essential role in managing the transactions between the product owner and the development team by bridging the gap between the two. A significant part of their role is to establish effective communication and iron out any potential challenges that may hinder a project.
Their efforts and discipline result in the timely delivery of high-end products, which pleases the product owner while motivating the team. As the demand for Agile increases, Scrum Masters will become a lucrative career opportunity for many youngsters. A Scrum certification is an excellent way to start your journey as a Scrum Master, but a degree in management or IT is also valuable in this field. Here’s a Professional Certificate Program in HR Management and Analytics, a good place to start if you have a degree and intend to keep your options open.
A Scrum Master helps Product Owners prioritize and groom the product backlog and provides a better understanding of product planning. They also organize Scrum events as per the Product Owners convenience and establish effective communication between the development team and the owner.
Yes, it indicates that you are dedicated and have sound knowledge about the Scrum world. The certificate will help you get better jobs and stay relevant in the market for a longer time. Certified Scrum Masters get better pay than people who do not have certification and are considered a great asset to the organization.
A Scrum Master’s salary can range anywhere between $83,000 101,00 to $134,000 per annum. The professionals on top make $145,000 annually. What kind of service does a Scrum Master provide to a Product Owner?
Are there any benefits of Scrum certification?
What is the salary of a Scrum Master?
