Scrum includes a variety of unique processes and artifacts, which refer to essential elements of the scrum process, such as the backlog of work to be completed. In order for a scrum to work, a team must use these processes and artifacts in a particular way. It is the scrum master’s job to help that work.
The scrum master oversees the scrum process for a project team and ensures the team follows agile principles. According to the title, a scrum master is considered an expert and can guide others through the scrum process. As the link between the scrum process and the scrum participants, the scrum master plays a vital role.
Scrum masters are like personal trainers at a gym. Having a trainer will guide your workouts
and help you achieve your fitness goals, but it is your responsibility to do your part as well. Managing Scrum teams is the same. Scrum masters can help you guide the team toward their goals while the team executes the work.
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Roles And Responsibilities Of A Scrum Master
The scrum master does not have authority over the project team. In fact, the scrum master serves as a facilitator who helps the team attain its goals. Accordingly, the scrum master is responsible for several roles that are unique to scrum.
1. The Process Owner
The Scrum Master’s primary responsibility is to serve as the owner of the scrum process. The scrum master does not determine what the scrum team works on. As a result, a scrum master helps the team successfully implement scrum methodologies.
Among these scrum events or scrum ceremonies, the scrum master ensures the team uses them to accomplish goals.
The scrum master asks the team during the sprint retrospective, the final task of every sprint, how they can improve the next one. Specifics of what needs to be addressed will not be determined by the scrum master; this is left to the team.
Team members, however, are expected to reflect continuously on ways to improve after each iteration.
2. Organizer
Scrum Masters act as organizers, but what does that mean? They aren’t just responsible for overseeing the scrum process.
It is the Scrum Master’s responsibility to ensure that the scrum team excels by removing obstacles impeding their productivity, such as ad hoc task requests from other groups during a sprint, and enabling the team to prosper.
Depending on the circumstances, the scrum master can coordinate preparations for the upcoming sprint with the product owner, who is responsible for delivering prioritized work to the team. Product owners are prepared with tasks to discuss with the team at the start of the sprint, eliminating delays.
3. Coaching
Team members are guided by the Scrum Master on how to apply scrum, improving and optimizing their processes as they go. Also, scrum masters work on an individual basis to improve team members’ application of scrum methodologies.
Scrum Masters coach and educate the entire company on agile principles and scrum with a goal of expanding scrum across the organization as well as helping the team become more effective with each sprint as the organization’s expert in the scrum.
It is especially important to educate project stakeholders since they may not understand scrum.
Being A Scrum Master Has Many Benefits
The Scrum master career path may seem unnecessary at first glance. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to take advantage of the benefits offered by scrum masters. Scrum Masters benefit agile teams in many ways.
1. Efficiency Of Scrum
In a new Scrum organization, mastering the framework can be challenging. A newcomer to Scrum may be confused by component components like artifacts and scrum events, or worse, may not know how to use them.
When a group is unfamiliar with scrum concepts, such as team velocity, using Jira, a popular software for project management, won’t help them meet their goals.
In addition to providing insight into how scrum works, a scrum master can provide practical advice.
Scrum Masters also educate the organization on how to work with the project team to make sure the objectives are met versus detracting from their success.
The Scrum Master on the team can resolve issues that are not being addressed by product owners when a company unfamiliar with scrum imposes demands on the team.
2. Improvement Of Performance
In scrum, iteration is a principle that implies continuous improvement, not just in the products and services delivered to customers, but also in the teams and processes that lead to them.
Scrum Masters focus on improving the performance of their teams, reviewing processes for efficiency gains, and working to eliminate distractions for the team so they can focus on reaching the sprint objectives.
3. Exceptional Morale
Having a role of support rather than a leadership role, the Scrum Master helps team members and the entire group achieve greater success. Team morale is automatically boosted by this success.
Scrum Masters also raise team morale by resolving conflict and fostering a collaborative environment that fosters teamwork.
The Scrum Master frees up the team members by eliminating obstacles, improving processes and applying Scrums, and empowering the entire organization to embrace the Scrum approach.
What Does It Take To Become A Scrum Master?
Scrum masters are now required to be certified by many companies. Scrum Masters generally have a lot of experience but there are some steps that can put you on the right path.
Step 1: Learn scrum
Scrum Masters must be deeply knowledgeable about scrum. A Scrum process is based on these and they serve as a guide. As the manifesto is written for software development projects, substitute the term “software” with the name of your product or service if your project is not in the software realm.
Once you understand scrum in its simplest form, it is possible to deepen your understanding by participating in conferences, workshops, or lectures about scrum and agile.
As you learn how to implement scrum, you will need to become familiar with project management tools like the whiteboard and sticky notes used to plan sprints.
Step 2: Invest In Your Professional Development
The responsibilities of a scrum master include coaching, communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. It is imperative for Scrum Masters to have expertise in these skills.
Consider taking training courses or obtaining mentorships within the organization to strengthen these skills. Such opportunities are available within many organizations. In addition, you can find classes or seminars outside your company that addresses these topics.
Step 3: Earn A certification
To become a Scrum Master, you must obtain CSM certification and it has to be renewed every two years.
The Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org are two such professional organizations that provide certification for scrum masters. This certification requires that you pass an exam. Prepare for the Scrum Master certification exam by attending a course or workshop offered by the organization that will award you the certification.
Final Thoughts About Scrum Masters
Companies often have a hard time understanding the Scrum Master’s role, based on my experience. The absence of a scrum master in an organization managing scrum gives an indication that Scrum is not being used to its full potential.
A Scrum Master has the opportunity to make a huge impact in these scenarios. Implementing Scrum is not just a matter of following a specific process.
It’s about building team collaboration so tasks are completed with routine regularity and team members are pleased with the work they produce. In their role as Scrum Masters, scrum masters truly showcase their value.
Also Read: Seven Mistakes You Should NOT Make When Choosing An ERP
