Scrum master is one of the terms commonly used in product and development surroundings.
For many, Scrum Master sounds like another designation in the project management industry. However, the comparison between Scrum Master vs. Project Manager lets you discover the difference they have.
For a long time, businesses have had various definitions for the scrum master job. This confusion and assumption lead to disputes. Especially when businesses want to adopt the Scrum project management framework.
If you are not aware of who is Scrum master and what he does, here we will explore the basic tasks and responsibilities. So let’s get going.
Scrum and Scrum Master – A Brief Introduction
Scrum
Scrum is one of the Project Management Frameworks. It is used by companies around the world who follow the Agile Development Methodology.
With Scrum, teams do not need to follow a rigid sequence of steps while moving forward in the product development lifecycle.
Scrum helps a team to proceed smoothly. It helps to adapt rapidly when required, without being slowed by the process.
Here is when Scrum Master comes into the picture.
Scrum Master
A Scrum Master plays the role of technical resource for a product team who is building software with the Scrum Agile Framework.
In other words, a Scrum Master is a leader who is liable to keep the development team on track.
The key objective of Scrum master is to ensure that the team is performing well adhering to agile values. They leverage the resources, time, and hurdle-free environment to flourish.
Let’s explore the main aspects of the Scrum Master’s role.
Scrum Master – Key Responsibilities
Each day, Scrum masters keep switching among multiple tasks, so that the Scrum team can be more productive.
Here are some of the Scrum Master responsibilities. Have a look.
1. Team Management
A Scrum Master’s key responsibility is to keep the development team,
- Well-organized
- On track
- Focused on what matters the most
He is liable to lead day to day standup/brief morning meetings by making them short and on-point. Team discuss,
- What they have achieved by now
- What they are planning to perform on a particular day
- Any hurdles they address concluding their task
Scrum Master focuses on any fruitful information acquired from the meeting.
He also enables other scrum events containing Sprint planning sessions. The product team and development team review the priority things to focus on in the next sprint.
The Scrum Master’s role in these meetings is,
- To listen
- Ensure the team has the popper information
- Enable team members to decide about projects and priorities
- Capture the decisions to aid the team moving forward with the agreed plan
2. A Bridge between Product Management and Development
It might happen that the product management team does not interact explicitly about its strategic vision with the developers who are going to develop the product. So developers might focus on the wrong priorities or become lost in translation.
Here Scrum Master can reduce these risks by becoming a communication bridge between product management and development. If an organization has a product owner, the scrum master will interact with that person.
To become an effective Scrum Master is to maintain a strong professional connection with the product owner and the management team. So help to make sure that product management and development share details on a regular basis with mutual trust and respect.
3. Remove hurdles and save the team from interruption
When developers are dependent or find challenges that stop them from finishing a sprint task, a Scrum Master is liable to resolve the hurdles for the smooth functioning of the team.
When a Project manager directly makes an urgent task request, a Scrum Master needs to remind them that the team can perform tasks agreed to in the current sprint.
This sort of obstacle will usually arise throughout the development process. A good Scrum Master always saves their team’s time. He forms a clear path for their developers to focus on productivity.
4. Guide team to perform more effectively
Generally, a cross-functional team applies the Scrum framework without determining how to leverage the best out of it.
The years of experience and hands-on guidance can let your team be more content with this new methodology. It can help strengthen Scrum Master’s credibility with the team.
5. Be available to solve the team’s questions
For a Scrum Master, one of the easiest ways to gain their team’s trust is to be available whenever they need you.
It means quick response to their requests that ask for your help, being a good listener, and acting promptly to resolve their issues are all you need to become a good Master.
6. Be a defender for your team’s success
It is possible by safeguarding your team against disturbances coming to their path. You need to discuss their needs and issues with product management and stakeholders.
You can be a helping hand to clear the roadblocks that ultimately lead them towards success.
7. Lead through influence and authority
Scrum Master has a lot of responsibilities and commitment but lacks real authority in the company hierarchy. Thus, many organizations define their Scrum Master as a team/agile coach.
They lead their team by earning the position of a reliable expert and guide, not as a boss or manager who only gives orders.
It is essential to build credibility with the team to succeed as a Scrum Master. It will not generate on the go but will have to be earned eventually.
8. Take the Blame
Scrum Master is the catalyst of teamwork. It means if a team is running behind the schedule during a sprint before concluding one of the items, a Scrum Master is liable for the blame.
Taking responsibilities within your company for different obstacles, and defending your team, will aid you to establish the trust and respect necessary to be a respectable Scrum Master.
Summing Up
The Agile development process is defined by constant and iterative work cycles. Scrum master plays a significant role in aiding team members to be true to this agile development process.
By dealing with day to day meetings, eliminating hurdles, and prioritizing organization, Scrum master encourages teams to build products efficiently in a market where speed and flexibility are a must.
