Let’s get rid of Scrum Master.
Management: Development team is very matured; they are self-managing. We don’t need Scrum Master anymore.
Me: Great, let’s get rid of the role? But wait, who will conduct Scrum events.
Management: We have Project Managers and Technical Managers; they can handle it.
Me: Of course, what else do you think Scrum Master is doing.
Management: wasting our money, 80% of the Scrum Master role is to update Jira board and 20% is to run scrum events. Isn’t it?
Me: In that case we should definitely get rid of the Scrum Master.
but wait, who will update the Jira boards going forward?
Management: Don’t we have the Product owner for that, and the team can handle it.
Me: Of course. Sounds like you got it all figured out.
Did you know:
The scrum master is the team’s first coach.
So,
What exactly the Scrum Master does?
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; and,
- Ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the timebox. (Ref. Scrum Guide 2020. Page 6)
Scrum Master is required to create the environment where everyone feel safe. Of-Course first he/she has to feel safe ;)
To better understand what typically happens in the organization who like to adopt Agile or who are recently adopted Agile, read my article 10 ways: How to fail Agile.
Did you know:
It is the duty of the scrum master to teach the Scrum framework to the team members who are new to the practice.
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 organization. (Ref. Scrum Guide 2020. Page 6)
Did you know:
Scrum master help the team to nurture the interactions with internal/external stakeholders to attain high performance.
The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team’s effectiveness. They do this by enabling the Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework. (Ref. Scrum Guide 2020. Page 6)
Did you know:
Delivery and deadlines are not Scrum master’s responsibility.
Scrum masters are true leaders who is helping the Scrum Team and the organization in its Scrum adoption by leading, training, and coaching.
Part 2 of this article: How Scrum Masters are destroying themselves, talks about.
- Why people think Scrum Masters are not necessary?
- Who needs a Scrum Master anyway and for what?
- Scrum Master being a delivery boy.
- Who is a weak Scrum Master?
- My take on Scrum Masters handling multiple teams.
What else the Scrum Master does?
The Scrum Master serves in several ways, including:
- Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams.
- 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; and,
- Facilitating stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed.
- Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organization; (Ref. Scrum Guide 2020. Page 6)
I hope after reading this you will understand why we need Scrum Masters in the team.
This is a part of Decoding Scrum Guide 2020 series.
Article 2 — How does Scrum help to achieve continual improvement?
Article 3 — How to make Scrum Successful?
Article 4 — Why everyone despise scrum theory?
Article 5 — Daily Stand-ups are waste of time.
Article 6 — Let’s get rid of Scrum Master.
Article 7 — Who are Product Owners and what do they do?
Article 8 — Who are Developers? What are their Accountabilities?
Article 9 — The notorious Scrum Team.
Article 10 — Why do we need Sprint Planning?
Article 11 — Is your Scrum Team failing in its commitment.