Top 10 Myths of a ScrumMaster | ScrumMaster Role Myths

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With an objective to enable continuous learning and progression for our learners, PremierAgile curated several learning articles in the areas of Agile, Scrum, Product Ownership, Scaling, Agile Leadership, Tools & Frameworks, latest market trends, new innovations etc...

Top 10 Myths of Scrum Master Role

Top 10 Myths of Scrum Master Role
Introduction

The idea of implementing Scrum has been growing, not just in the software industry but also throughout all sectors. According to the Agile report of 2020, 78% of organizations responded that they have already implemented or have an interest in adopting Scrum. It is growing in popularity amongst organizations for its simplicity and ability to deliver a complex product.

As per Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. Scrum Masters do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values.

However, there are several myths associated with what a Scrum Master is supposed to do. As a Scrum Master, one will see many people approaching with an improper request. This shows the lack of knowledge and understanding of the role of a Scrum Master in a Scrum team. Moreover, the Scrum Master role is often confused with a Project Manager.

The following are a few sorted out myths about the role of a Scrum Master:

Popular Misleading Myths About the Role of a Scrum Master 
Myth #1“ The Scrum Master is the Leader of a Scrum Team

A Scrum Master is a servant leader of the team who has no higher role when compared to the rest of the members within the Scrum team. When we consider Developers, they operate independently, in that, they are primarily self-oriented, and they manage themselves. They even establish all the rules and determine the aspects of their operations by themselves.

A Scrum Master does not decide whom to hire and whom to fire. Although they are capable, it is not the role of a Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is simply a member of a Scrum team who guides the team throughout the process.

Myth #2“ The Scrum Master is a Servant of the Team

Just like the previous myth, the Scrum Master is also sometimes mistaken as an assistant to everyone in the team. People think that a Scrum Master's role is just about managing documents and keeping things organized.

While managing documents and scheduling events is one of the tasks of a Scrum Master, a Scrum Master  is also the one who facilitates the Scrum values, highlights the functions, and guides the team towards improvement.

When the Scrum team takes the Scrum Master as just an assistant, it may lead the team to not respect the Scrum Master  and eventually judge the decisions. The Scrum Master might not be familiar with the job of different members of the Scrum team but is the one who helps the team to understand and follow the Scrum framework, using an evidence-based and collaborative approach.

Myth #3“ The Scrum Master is not as Important as the Product Owner

A Scrum Master makes sure that the Scrum team works correctly, whereas the Product Owner makes sure that the product meets the business needs. The Product Owner is generally responsible for making sure that the work is given adequate priority, they are also incharge for reviewing the work that is done within a Sprint and lastly also handles the stage where the work is supposed to be accepted.

The Scrum Master is the person in the organization who makes sure that the team is not interfered with by any external source that would distract the team from getting the work done. Most importantly, the Scrum Master coaches the Scrum team to properly adapt the Scrum framework. So, both roles have different responsibilities and functions and are important in their specific ways.

Myth #4“ A Scrum Master Needs to Work Full-Time

It is important to note that the practical requirement of a Scrum Master to work full-time is broadly based on the overall proficiency of the Scrum team and the maturity of the organization. A full-time Scrum Master is necessary only when the Scrum team is new to the idea of Scrum and needs more attention to understand the Scrum framework and processes.

A mature Scrum team doesn't require a Scrum Master for all purposes since they are self-oriented and self-managed. They may reach out for a Scrum Master only when they face hindrance in a process.

Myth #5“ Anybody Can Become A Scrum Master 

A Scrum Master should be a person who does not involve personal emotions into a discussion and is transparent. Even a certified Scrum Master could find it hard to get a Scrum Master role without any Agile experience. In order to be considered as a Scrum Master, one must have experience in the Scrum environment and see whether they can accept the challenges.

Scrum has a lot of rules and challenges. A Scrum Master should be able to work according to the Scrum framework. So, anybody can become a Scrum Master but that is true only if they are emotionally intelligent and have experience of the Scrum framework.

Myth #6“ Only People with Technical Background can Become Scrum Master 

Not having an IT exposure is never a limitation or a prerequisite to becoming a Scrum Master, although it can be useful to have one. The position of Scrum Master can be earned by a technical person as long as they can ensure that they will not let their technical impulses interfere with their duties.

However, the fact is that the role of a Scrum Master has nothing to do with IT background. Hence, the Scrum Master is a person who creates and maintains the flow of work irrespective of their field of work.

Myth #7“ The Scrum Master's Ideas Should Always be Accepted

The Scrum Master always takes the opinion of their team before implementing any idea to work. A Scrum Master is not the decision-maker in a Scrum team; they must guide the team and help them come up with new ideas. Every member of the Scrum team has the right to express their ideas.

The Scrum Master can provide opinions and make others reflect their ideas among the individual members of the Scrum team and make sure that they are well-received. A Scrum Master is a good listener and a good advisor.

Myth #8“ The Scrum Master Only Should Help the Team Overcome Obstacles

As a fact, a Scrum Master must remove blockers for the Developers. But this does not mean that no one else in the team can do it. Every member of the Developers has similar responsibilities when it comes to overcoming obstacles.

Depending on the situation, the Scrum Master should let the Developers deal with obstacles themselves. The Scrum Master should look after the team and let them work on their own, and later on determine what went well and what should be done differently next time.

Myth #9“ The Scrum Master Needs to Attend to Daily Scrum

The Daily Scrum has been created with the intention that the progress of the Developers towards the Sprint goal may be inspected. If anything is hindering the progress of the Developers from achieving the Sprint goal, the Developers should be able to deal with it.

The Developers is a self-organizing team, and they are the ones participating in Daily Scrum. What a Scrum Master does is that they coach the Developers to complete the Daily Scrum within a time box.

Myth #10“ The Scrum Master and Project Manager are the same

Scrum Master and Project Manager both contribute to the Projects. Though the Scrum Master role somewhere overlaps to a certain extent to the role of a Project Manager in an Agile environment, they both are completely different. Scrum Master contributes to the project based on the Scrum Agile project management whereas the Project Manager focuses on the traditional Project Management principles.

Summary

There are many popular myths about a Scrum Master which have made the role ambiguous in an organization. Below is a list of the popular myths sorted out.

Conclusion

The common myths around the Scrum Master role have emerged due to the willingness of Scrum Master s to take extra responsibility in the organization, including goals, and communicating with everyone at all levels. The world has also imposed many extra responsibilities and work since they can handle it. However, it is important to know the true role of a Scrum Master instead of using them for odd jobs.


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Author

Priyanka Datt

Has nearly 15 years of experience as a practitioner in the areas of Agile and Scrum. She delivers training and coaching programs for organisations and teams across the globe. She is helping budding Scrum Masters and Product Owners to learn and grow in their careers.