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Is the Scrum Master held accountable if the team doesn't perform well?

Last post 03:20 am November 3, 2017 by Rishi Suri
4 replies
02:51 pm November 1, 2017

Hi,

I am undergoing some scrum training sessions, working in a scrum manner to tackle stories and these stories that are being used are questions related to scrum.

It would be really helpful if somebody can answer this question: 'Is the Scrum Master held accountable if the team doesn't perform well?'

Thanks


08:08 pm November 1, 2017

Every team member is accountable if the team does not perform well.


10:27 am November 2, 2017

As Ian said, every team member is accountabe if the team does not perform well. Consider the question and/or statement "Is the Scrum Master responsible for team's performance" as an indication of the organisation's "agile maturity". 


09:37 pm November 2, 2017

 'Is the Scrum Master held accountable if the team doesn't perform well?'

It is important to understand what is meant by "accountable".

The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that proper Scrum is adhered to.   The Scrum Master is definitely "invested" in the good performance and growth of the team that he/she serves.   The entire Scrum Team is "accountable" for how well they work and deliver value.

To me, the word accountable in this context seems to indicate "who to blame" more than anything.   And blame is quite an unproductive and potentially destructive and demoralizing behavior.

 


03:20 am November 3, 2017

Its hard to move out from Standard Waterfall methodology to Agile Methodology. Project Managers trying to perform Scrum Master role will always be finding the individual who is accountable or responsible instead sharing it with team.


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