Scrum Master Contract

Hey Andrec,

Have you tried outside of UK? Have you tried Europe?

Hi, no not really, is there a higher demand then?

Would taking and passing the PSM II help?

Hi Peter,
have you ever worked on a 'real' agile team? I am asking as it is mostly about experience. Having a CSM or PSM certificate is good it doesn't really tell how well this person is able to apply Scrum in the real world.
When I am involved in hiring a Scrum Master I want to hear about the war stories, successes, huge failures and what was learned from those.
Have you considered about being a Dev Team member as an agile tester helping the team to use ATDD, TDD, ... and take on the role as Scrum Master as well? A Dev Team member can also be the Scrum Master.

Yeah I have been testing software for 13 years and worked on several agile teams and transistions. I have also advided management on best approaches to agile and helped dev teams create unit tests and adapt BDD and TDD, helped the business start creating a groomed product backlog and how to create user stories. Been working on the teams as you suggested and now feel ready to take the next step.

Did you tell this during your interviews? Technical Excellence is one of the most paramount elements in agile software development and you seem to be good at it. I would try to sell my Agile Coaching skills rather then being Scrum Master - a good Agile Coach automatically is a good Scrum Master.

Thats the trouble, I have not had any interviews as yet, but only been applying since last week. I performed the scrum master role at my current company for a few weeks when the project manager left, but this was then taken over by the BA.

The trouble I currently see is that a lot of the roles advertised are closely linked to a PM role, which as I come from a QA background could be the problem why I am not getting any interviews or feedback on cv applications.

This really is one of the major struggles of Scrum. I hate to call it marketing, but at this point that's what it is. There is a widely held perception that the Scrum Master is this world's director of activities. The Team, Development Team, and other terms for the doers has never really elevated itself above programmers in the minds of most.

Here is what I might do if in your shoes:

Consider looking for organizations that either call themselves Agile or are looking to adopt Scrum. Apply using your experience as a tester and as you talk with this organization, try to shape the role as a tester/Scrum Master. That might be tester & SM or tester on Team A while SM on Team B. Whatever. Gain a good few years of practical resume building Scrum Master roles even if it's part time.

Start presenting in your region on the role of Scrum Master and how your experiences have led you to your understanding. Look for organizations that are considering Scrum or Agile and want to seed teams. Invite them to your presentations and Day of Agile/Scrum events (organize one!) This would be an opportunity to act as Teacher and Evangelist. Two very important traits of a Scrum Master.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice Ryan, I have just been told a of a role that is a QA autoamtion/Scrum Master role ,which would sit very well with my skillset, so will apply for that one.

Good idea about the Day of Agile/Scrum events, will have a look at this as well, thanks again.

Try being a development member first and then you'll have better chances of being a scrum master

http://www.agiledistributed.com/