How to Become an Indispensable Scrum

Master

This is NOT an Introduction to Agile,

Scrum or Scrum Master

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

First Step to Learn If You Want to become an

Indispensable Scrum Master

Trying to Answer Doubts in The Scrum

Master Role

Agile is a Value and Culture driven Project Management Methodology

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

Power, Authority, Bureaucracy, Central Controlling, Typical Management are NOT part of the Game. It is the Game of a Team.

Agile is a Team Sport NOT One Man Game.

Therefore Being very Successful as Scrum Master is the Hardest Goal to Achieve. It is a road to “Lead without Authority & Power”

Scrum Master role is NOT properly Defined but Most professionals say, Scrum Master is a Servant Leader

“A servant leader looks to the needs of the people and asks himself how he can help them to solve problems and promote personal development.” - Wikipedia

Lets See DO’s & DON’TS of a Scrum Master to Understand this Role

“Most of the time, The Scrum Master only works as a Facilitator and He/She is at the same Hierarchical level as anyone else in the Scrum Team”

The Scrum Master Is NOT a Manager, Owner or Director

Scrum Master is NOT a Position or Designation but It is Role Played on Specific Project(s)

Scrum Master is responsible of the Integrity of Scrum Process & its all the Rituals & Ceremonies

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

Scrum Team is a Self Managed Team. Therefore, Scrum Master Does NOT Assign tasks to the Team.

Scrum Master is NOT responsible for Task Completion therefore He does NOT pull & push the Team for completion of tasks.

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

He does NOT own Requirements but He facilitates the Effective Communication between Product Owner and the Team to get the Requirements clearly.

Scrum Master does NOT get Involved with the Technical Decisions but He facilitates those discussions to solve technical issues

Scrum Master does NOT get involved with the Business Decision or be a part of the Decisions but he facilitates the co-ordination

Scrum Master does not a have Authority to Tell “You are Fired” but He can tell the team that “Lets do a two weeks release instead of one month release cycle.” as He is act as a Coach

As a Scrum Process Coach he can challenge the team skills and help the team aware of his skills.Inspire The Team

As a Real Coach always try to enhance the skills and ability of a team

He Takes the Ownership of Removing Blocks & Impediments

Scrum Master has to foster Optimal Working Conditions for the Scrum Team.This is NOT an easy task.Some times ,Scrum Master has to work with the Entire Organisation full fill these tasks

A good Scrum Master is not in it for Ego. A good ScrumMaster will take pride in achievements but the feeling will be “Look what I helped accomplish” rather than the more self centered “Look what I accomplished.”

There are many task that can be added to Scrum Role based on the Nature of the Project,Culture of the Company & Team Values

In My opinion, It is Spiritual/Charismatic Leadership Model.You have to Earn the Leadership from the Team and Lead them

A Scrum Master may be a Brilliant Person but Still the Project can Fail. WHY?

The Perfect Recipe for a Greater Disaster “Expecting that Scrum Master also perform as a Project Manager”.I have seen and experienced, the mind-sets of these two roles are totally different and so will result in Project Failure.

Agile is NOT a Silver Bullet. First You must evaluate what you want and Why do You need Agile as a Project Management Methodology

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]

8th Annual State of Agile Survey 2014 [Published by VersionOne]