The Scrum Master supports the team and the Product Owner and Program, driving constant communication and rapid problem solving to deliver a great product and experience. The SM teaches the team all ways of agile software practices, lead and/or facilitate Scrum ceremonies, remove blockers to team progress and shield them from external distractions – often in tandem with an expert in complex or largely waterfall organizations.
The Scrum Master brings the Product Owner and Team together, observing and helping them to understand each other. Scrum Masters are personal coaches for team members and innovators who constantly seek ways to improve both themselves and the team. The Scrum Master does not stick to a rulebook but has a flexible way of thinking in different situations.
1.2 Responsibilities
A. With the Product Owner
● Lead the Product Owner to maintain the quality of product backlog
● Walk the Product Owner through more technical user stories
● Help the Product Owner on release planning
B. Within the team
● Facilitate Scrum events / ceremonies for the team, encouraging transparency, inspection and adaptation
● Observe the team working and give direct feedback to team or individual when appropriate (or bring observations during Sprint retrospectives)
● Foster close cooperation between the PO and the team, and the cooperation across all team members; encourage cross-training and supporting each other
C. Between the team and stakeholders
● Shield the team from external interference and ensure the team is fully functional and productive
● Resolve conflicts within the team or between the team and stakeholders. SM is key to conflict resolution and ensure everyone is align on the end goal and can find common ground to resolve issues
● Train the team and stakeholders on Scrum and Agile; coach / mentor the team more broadly towards high efficiency, and generate agile mindset in the organization
1.3 Key skills
The product owner needs to have the 3 sets of skills: product & technical knowledge, agile experience, and individual & communication skills.
A. Product and technical knowledge
● Minimum knowledge on the technical side to be able to understand the team and their impediments, and propose technical/DevOps practices that can help the team
● Minimum knowledge of (ability to quickly learn) relevant domains / products / journeys to be able to understand the team and the stakeholders in order to help resolve conflicts
B. Agile experience and mindset
● Knowledge and experience in Agile (not only Scrum), with specific Scrum Master (or similar) experience preferred
● Agile and growth mindset, living by the Agile values
C. Leadership & communication skills
● “Servant Leader” – be successful through the success of others, always look for others before self and lead by example
● Ability to coach at both individual and team levels – ask power questions, help people understand the why and how, and drive individual and team growth
● Ability to resolve conflicts within the team or between the team and stakeholders, ensuring everyone is align on the end goal and can find common ground to resolve issues, avoiding people to become frustrated and having resentment
