Project Management

Exploring the Role of a Scrum Master in Project Management

Written byJohn Terra
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Updated onJuly 22, 2024

Project management is essential for ensuring project success. Many organizations use Scrum to help achieve that goal. However, a Scrum team needs a strong leader who ensures the team adheres to the Scrum framework. That leader is called the Scrum master.

This article focuses on the Scrum master’s role in project management. We will discuss what tasks a Scrum master does, their roles and responsibilities, typical Scrum master skills, and how to become one. We will also share a project management program in which professionals can gain the skills to earn a Scrum master certification.

So, before we explore Scrum master responsibilities and roles, let’s establish what a Scrum master is. Let’s take a moment and briefly remind ourselves what Scrum is.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a popular project management Agile framework that enables teams to work together to meet a common goal. It’s often used to manage complex software and product development projects. Scrum teams employ a set of values, principles, and practices, including:

Sprints. Sprints are short development cycles that last one month or less, during which the team finishes a specified amount of work.
Time focus. Sprints are timeboxed iterations that focus on time periods.
Respect. Team members respect each other and celebrate each other’s accomplishments

Also Read: What is a Project Management Office? A Beginner’s Guide

What is a Scrum Master and What Do They Do?

Scrum masters are facilitators who lead Scrum teams using agile project management, ensuring a successful project outcome. They are also known as coaches or servant leaders. They are committed to the Scrum methodology, Agile principles, and best practices.

Scrum Master Roles

Scrum masters fulfill many roles, which are divided between the Scrum team, product owner, and overall organization.

Scrum Team

Coaching Scrum team members in self-management and cross-functionality
Focusing on creating high-value increments that satisfy the Definition of Done
Influencing the removal of impediments to the team’s progress
Ensuring that all Scrum events occur and are positive, productive, and conform to the timebox

Product Owner

Finding methods to manage product backlog effectively
Helping to communicate the owner’s wish list to the Scrum project team
Arranging and optimizing product backlog
Organizing Scrum events as needed

Organization

Leading and coaching Scrum adoption
Planning Scrum implementation
Implementing changes and steps to increase the Scrum team’s productivity
Collaborating with other Scrum masters to amplify the methodologies’ efficiency

Scrum Master Roles and Responsibilities

Scrum masters have a host of responsibilities. Many of these overlap with the abovementioned roles.

Implementing project management/best practices. Scrum masters are responsible for building and onboarding project teams, merging them into the organization, and providing a clear end-product vision. The Scrum master facilitates communicating and exchanging information between the project team and external groups. They also monitor the project’s progress, offer timely feedback, and encourage and oversee a culture of agility and learning.
Keeping all parties informed and on track. The Scrum master hosts daily team meetings to receive progress updates on the project, address potential obstacles and roadblocks, and ensure everything is on track. They also host regular sessions with product stakeholders to share updates on the project’s progress. Ultimately, it’s the Scrum master’s job to ensure the team meets deadlines.
Introducing Agile engineering practices. Scrum masters encourage continuous integration (CI) and automation to improve efficiency. Developers use CI tools to frequently integrate chunks of code into a central repository, which runs automated builds and tests in successive iterations. This repeatable approach reduces the risk, time, and effort typically associated with more traditional development methods.
Coaching team members. They perform the role of a coach for the development team and product owners. One of the primary Scrum master responsibilities is ensuring that the team is adequately trained in Agile processes, knows their specific roles, and is dedicated to the project. Like an actual coach, the Scrum master ensures the teams are self-managed. They also continually look for ways to improve team productivity and performance.
Hosting daily standup meetings. The Scrum master keeps their team organized and on track with daily standup meetings, sprint reviews, sprint planning meetings, etc. These brief meetings have teams discussing their accomplishments, what they plan to do that day, and if they encounter any obstacles while finishing their tasks. The Scrum master must confirm that each team member, even remote members, can attend and participate in these meetings.
Assisting the product owner with the product backlog. In Scrum methodology, product backlogs are tasks the team must do. The product owner is responsible for creating, overseeing, and maintaining this backlog, which changes depending on the work’s current status and any new development needs. The Scrum master’s responsibility is to help product owners refine and maintain this backlog by providing information gathered from the standup meetings. The Scrum master and product owner should schedule review meetings and prioritize the work on user stories.
Removing roadblocks. The Scrum master’s responsibility is to help keep the team focused on tasks that must be done in each iteration. To accomplish this, they must remove any roadblocks or distractions hindering the team’s progress.
Teaching Scrum practices and principles. The Scrum master must be proficient in crucial Scrum practices and processes. They act as mentors that ensure the smooth onboarding of new employees or team members, help new members understand the product’s scope and vision, and ensure work continues. It is the Scrum master’s task to ensure the team follows Scrum practices and rules while working, teaching the team to remain self-organized and focused, improving productivity.

Also Read: AI for Project Management: Creating More Efficiency, Accuracy, and Better Results

How Do You Become a Scrum Master?

To be successful as a Scrum master, meet the following prerequisites:

Get the required experience and education. An aspiring Scrum master must have at least a bachelor’s degree. You should also have an excellent working knowledge of the Agile methodology and frameworks.
Practice and develop excellent verbal and written communication skills. Scrum masters need excellent communication skills and people and project management skills. They are the primary communicators between project owners and stakeholders, so having a set of solid written and verbal communication skills is necessary to succeed in the role.
Consider Agile Scrum master certification. Scrum master certifications, although not mandatory, can provide you with a competitive edge when applying for the position. There are many professional Scrum master certification courses available to advance your skills and understanding of all Scrum project management principles.

And while we’re on the subject of skills, let’s take a closer look at some specific skills needed to succeed at the Scrum master role.

Typical Scrum Master Skills

Scrum masters require specific soft skills to fulfill their roles effectively. Here is a sampling of the essential skills and qualities an applicant needs to fulfill Scrum master responsibilities:

Adaptability. Scrum masters must be quickly adaptable and open to change, adjusting to the evolving needs of the team and the project.
Coaching and mentoring. They are usually called on to coach and mentor their team members in the principles of Agile and Scrum to help them improve continually.
Effective communication. Clear and transparent communication is a critical element in the Scrum process. Scrum masters must ensure all team members and stakeholders comprehend the project’s status, objectives, and obstacles.
Empathy. A Scrum master needs to understand and empathize with the team’s challenges. They must support and motivate their team members during difficult stretches.
Facilitation. They must effectively facilitate meetings and ceremonies, ensuring these events run smoothly while focusing on the intended outcomes.
Leadership. Scrum masters must demonstrate leadership qualities without being heavy-handed authoritarians. They lead by serving the Scrum team and facilitating its self-organization.
Problem-solving. Scrum masters often deal with conflicts, roadblocks, and impediments. They must be skilled at problem-solving and devising solutions that keep the team on track.
Technical knowledge. While not mandatory, possessing some technical background can be helpful, especially when working with development teams. Technical knowledge lets Scrum masters better understand the technical challenges the team may face.
Time management. Finally, they must effectively manage time to keep the team on schedule while meeting their sprint goals.

Also Read: Exploring Top AI Project Management Tools

Explaining Scrum Teams

The Scrum team is a vital aspect of the Scrum framework and typically consists of the following roles:

Development team. These professionals have the necessary skills to deliver a potentially shippable product increment. Development teams are responsible for creating the service or product.
Product owner. The product owner represents stakeholder interests, manages the product’s backlog, and prioritizes all work.
Scrum master. As we’ve seen in the previous sections, the Scrum master is essential for facilitating the Scrum process and ensuring the team’s adherence to Scrum principles.

Learning About Project Management

If you’re interested in learning more about project management and possibly becoming a project manager, check out this professional certificate program in project management. This 12-week online bootcamp is aligned with PMI-PMP® and IASSC-Lean Six Sigma and helps you acquire skills needed to excel in complex projects and ensure digital-age success, including Scrum.

Indeed.com reports that project managers earn an average annual salary of $88,949. Check out this certification course and sharpen those project manager skills.