Starting with Scrum - a few questions
Pleased to meet you all. I'm new to the Scrum framework, although I have worked with the Agile methodology for a few years.
My company (I'm the co-founder) is planning to expand into eCommerce and I suggested to the founder to use the Scrum framework, highlighting the advantages of it and pointing towards how many successful eCommerce retailers use it. I have been reading the Scrum Guide and have a question regarding the roles.
In the company, I've always been a project manager. But in Scrum, there's developers, the Product Owner and the Scrum Master. We already decided which people are going to be the developers so that leaves the last 2 roles.
The founder is traditional and embraces new methodologies and technologies rather slowly (Scrum included) but has impeccable knowledge of her industry from A to Z. I am forward-thinking and always look to see how things can be done more efficiently but I don't have nearly enough experience of the industry as her.
On the one hand, I see the bigger picture in terms of product development but I also want to make sure that the Scrum theory and principles are adhered to. So I am not sure which of those 2 roles would be suitable for the both of us?
Hi Enver,
Because the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team, I suggest that you choose the person that is best aligned with the vision for the product. That person will have the final say about the order of the Product Backlog, so they should be trusted to do what's right for the organization.
The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that Scrum is understand and used effectively. Knowledge of Scrum and being able to explain the "whys" behind the framework are essential to being successful in the role.
I have seen project managers transition to being Product Owners and Scrum Masters depending on their skill set and personality, and I don't want to suggest which roles you and your partner should choose without knowing more about your context.
Whatever you choose, I suggest that you and your partner keep each other honest about the responsibilities of the roles. They are separate for a reason, and a Development Team can easily get frustrated if they're pulled in multiple directions by people that are suffering from role confusion.
Posted By Jordan Job on 21 Jul 2016 08:11 PM
Hi Enver,
Because the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team, I suggest that you choose the person that is best aligned with the vision for the product. That person will have the final say about the order of the Product Backlog, so they should be trusted to do what's right for the organization.
The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that Scrum is understand and used effectively. Knowledge of Scrum and being able to explain the "whys" behind the framework are essential to being successful in the role.
I have seen project managers transition to being Product Owners and Scrum Masters depending on their skill set and personality, and I don't want to suggest which roles you and your partner should choose without knowing more about your context.
Whatever you choose, I suggest that you and your partner keep each other honest about the responsibilities of the roles. They are separate for a reason, and a Development Team can easily get frustrated if they're pulled in multiple directions by people that are suffering from role confusion.
Hi Jordan,
Thank you very much for your advice. Truly appreciate it.
I had a talk with my partner and we agreed that she would be the Product Owner and that I would be the Scrum Master. She wants to focus on maximising the value proposition and I want to ensure that the eCommerce project follows the Scrum framework. I know that the transition will be difficult but scaling the business would definitely require some difficult decisions.