Scrum Master vs. Product Owner

Scrum Master vs. Product Owner 

Agile Organizations are exponentially increasing in the market, and with that, the job opportunities in Agile have also increased in the past decade. Since Agile has solved most of the issues faced by many organizations compared to traditional software methodologies, many companies from various industries prefer Agile over different methodologies. Initiatives such as aerospace, construction, architecture, software manufacturing, and production have been interested in Agile, and many domains have implemented it in their company. With the growth in Agile Methodology frameworks such as Scrum, the career options such as Scrum Master and Product Owner have become very popular in recent years. Companies only hire certified professionals and who have an enhanced knowledge of the framework and understand the principles and values of Agile Methodology.

The roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner have been interchanged and been confused for many years. Many professionals do not understand how the professions vary and what their roles and responsibilities are. However, both of these roles are distinct and have various tasks that they need to fulfill such that the project and the organization reach success. The company can derive most of the benefits of Agile Methodology. A Scrum Master can be considered as a servant leader that helps the Scrum Development Team achieve their Sprint Goals and solves any impediments that come in the Development Team's way. A Product Owner is a professional who has a vision for the product and is the primary person who communicates between the Development Team and the customers. This article discusses the differences between the Scrum Master and the Product Owner in a more concise yet detailed manner. Any individual can differentiate between career options.

Breaking Down The Agile Ecosystem: Scrum Master and Product Owner as Pillars Of Agile Teams

The Scrum Master and Product Owner roles are the twin engines that propel the Scrum team forward. While their responsibilities are distinct, their collaboration ensures the success of Agile projects. Think of the Scrum Master as the team’s compass, always steering the team in the right direction and enabling smooth operations. On the other hand, the Product Owner is the visionary, charting the destination and ensuring the team builds a product that delivers business value. Their synergy lies in balancing process excellence and business value delivery.

The Scrum Master fosters a culture of self-organization, empowering the Development Team to take ownership of their tasks while swiftly addressing impediments. Meanwhile, the Product Owner translates customer feedback into actionable backlog items, ensuring the Development Team focuses on what matters most. These roles complement each other perfectly, ensuring that Scrum events run efficiently and the product backlog remains aligned with customer needs. Together, they bridge the gap between execution and strategy.

Differences Between Scrum Master and Product Owner

Scrum Master

Scrum Master acts as a servant leader to serve the Development Team and help them whenever they require any assistance. A Scrum Master does not ask the Development Team, What are you going to do for me today? Instead, they ask what they can do for them today such that they are closer to achieving the task for the day. Hence, they have a diverse role in being a team leader and simultaneously helping the team achieve the goals to complete the product development mostly through sprints. 

A Scrum Master is a person who is approached by the members of the Development Team whenever they face any impediments. They should have excellent communication and problem-solving ability to resolve any issues and make sure that the product's development and delivery are quick. A Scrum Master is also responsible for arranging various Scrum Events such as Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviewing, daily stand-ups, etc. They coordinate with the team to ensure all the Scrum Events are completed smoothly, and the goal of the meeting is achieved.

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Scrum Master

• Getting a solid base and practical knowledge about Scrum Framework.
• Staying relevant to the market and having skills that are mostly demanded by many organizations.
• Increasing chances of getting recruited by top Agile organizations in the industry.
• Better salary and increments after becoming a Scrum Master.
• Joining a Community of Scrum Master and enhancing the knowledge, among others.
• Getting a globally accredited certificate and becoming recognized worldwide
• Being reputed and recognized in their organization as a Scrum expert.
• Working better with peers who are well-versed with Scrum knowledge.

Skills Required for Becoming a Scrum Master

• Excellent Communication and Listening Skills

A Scrum Master must be able to convey ideas clearly and effectively to the team and stakeholders. Active listening ensures they fully understand team challenges and address them proactively.

• Being a Professional Coach

Scrum Masters guide the Development Team by providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. They help the team achieve goals without micromanaging, empowering members to take ownership.

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Ability

They must analyze challenges systematically and offer practical solutions to remove impediments. This skill is crucial for ensuring smooth workflows and maintaining productivity during Sprints.

• Inducing Creativity in the Development Team

A great Scrum Master inspires out-of-the-box thinking, encouraging the team to experiment and innovate. They help unlock new ideas that lead to efficient and creative solutions for product development.

• Focus and Flow Management

It is key to stay focused and ensure the team operates at an optimal pace. A Scrum Master maintains clarity on priorities and helps the team avoid distractions.

• Adaptability to Change

They should embrace change positively, aligning the team to new processes or organizational shifts. This adaptability ensures the team stays resilient in dynamic environments.

• Empathy and Light-heartedness

Understanding team dynamics and empathizing with individual struggles build trust within the group. A light-hearted demeanor helps ease tensions and creates a collaborative atmosphere.

Salary

The average annual salary of a certified Scrum Master is around $90k. However, the compensation may vary based on the location, past experiences, and various other factors. The wages of the Scrum Master increases as the person gains more knowledge and also completes the various advanced level courses such as the Advanced Scrum Master certification course and Certified Scrum Professional- Scrum Master.

Different certifications of a Scrum Master

There are various certifications in a Scrum Master role. These are:

• Certified Scrum Master certification: The CSM course is for individuals interested in becoming the Development Team leader and managing the Scrum Developers. They do not require any prerequisites to enroll in the course; however, having basic knowledge about Scrum would help them understand better. The course is a 2-days training program where the participants have to enroll and give an exam to get certified.
• Advanced Certified Scrum Master certification: This certification is done once the individual completes the CSM course and acquires one year of experience working as a Certified Scrum Master. This course enhances the knowledge about the person's understanding of Scrum and teaches the essential skills required to become a great Scrum Master.
• Certified Scrum Professional- Scrum Master: This certification is completed once the professional acquires the A-CSM course certificate and works at least 24 months as a Scrum Master. It is one of the highest accreditation levels for a Scrum Master and can give an excellent benefit to one's career. Participants gain a deeper-knowledge about Scrum processes and become an expert in Scrum. After completing the CSP- SM course, the candidates establish a milestone. They can further proceed with taking up CTC, CEC, or CST certification courses and become trainers that provide valuable scrum knowledge to the budding professionals. 

Product Owner

The average annual salary of a Product Owner is around $85k. However, the salary depends on various factors such as location, years of experience, etc. A senior Product Owner can earn up to an average of $94k, which also depends on the years of the experience, the number of certification courses completed by the individual, and the type of company they are working for.

Different certifications of a Scrum Product Owner

Becoming a Product Owner should be considered as a journey that has various steps. The different certifications that involved in a Product Owner journey are:

• Certified Scrum Product Owner certification: Any individual interested in the roles and responsibilities and the job description of the Product Owner can become an accredited Product Owner by taking the CSPO certification course. The course gives a basic knowledge about the Scrum principles and educates the participants about the numerous roles of a Product Owner. This certification can be considered as a first step towards becoming a great Product Owner.
• Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner: The candidate can take up the A-CSPO course after completing the CSPO certification and attaining 12 months of experience working as a Product Owner after its completion. The A-CSPO course gives a more in-depth knowledge about the Scrum practices and educates individuals about the skills required to become a reputed Product Owner.
• Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner: The CSP-PO certification is a higher accreditation level for Product Owners, which gives a great understanding of the Product Owner's roles. The individual should complete the A-CSPO course and have work experience of at least 24 months after completing the A-CSPO course. After completing the CSP- PO course, the candidates establish a milestone. They can further proceed with taking up CTC, CEC, or CST certification courses and become trainers that provide valuable scrum knowledge to the budding professionals. 

Conclusion

Scrum Masters and Product Owners are an integral part of any Scrum team who manages the smooth functioning of the development and the delivery processes. Both the professionals work efficiently such that the product development process of the Development Team is hassle-free, and work is done in a structured and efficient way. If an individual is interested in leading a team and managing people by motivating them and have excellent communication skills, the Scrum Master is an excellent option to enhance their careers. Whereas, if the person is more interested in the business side of the products and follows the market's ups and downs, and can communicate excellently by expressing their ideas to everyone, a career as a Product Owner may suit them well. Starting as a Product Owner or a Scrum Master can be a tedious task; however, a person has to always explore their options and not limit their vision to a specific domain. Getting a work experience of both the careers and researching the job roles and responsibilities and choosing from it can be a great option to understand one's interest.

References

https://blog.firebrand.training/2015/02/scrum-master-certification-10-great-benefits.html

https://blog.hubspot.com/service/scrum-master-product-owner

https://www.scrumalliance.org/agile-resources/7-skills-you-need-to-be-a-great-product-owner