Scrum Master
One of the questions in the scrum open assessment is?
What are two ways a Scrum Master serves to enable effective Scrum Teams?
*A)* By keeping high value features high in the Product Backlog.
*B)* By starting and ending the meetings at the proper time.
*C)* By removing impediments that hinder the Scrum Team.
*D)* By facilitating Developer decision-making.
The answer that is not correct is "B".
I don't quite understand why?
I do understand that the team themselves should always stay responsible for the meeting and not act as a victim blaming the Scrum Master. But having somebody saying "we should start" and "we're half way" and "time's up" enables the team? Would it be counter-productive if the Scrum Master takes that role?
But having somebody saying "we should start" and "we're half way" and "time's up" enables the team?
That's not what B is saying. Answer B is suggesting that a Scrum Master has the authority to start and end meetings.
As per the scrum guide:
The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team’s effectiveness. They do this by enabling the Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework.
The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including:
● Coaching the team members in self-management and cross-functionality;
● Helping the Scrum Team focus on creating high-value Increments that meet the Definition of Done;
● Causing the removal of impediments to the Scrum Team’s progress; and,
● Ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the timebox.
Answer C is an obvious match here. Answer D is partly the first bullet point and partly the last bullet point.
Remember, there is no manager role in a scrum team, even if the scrum master does manage certain aspects of scrum they do not have any authority so they are not that type of manager.