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What are the Two primary focus areas for scrum master?

Last post 06:15 am December 14, 2021 by Balaji Dhamodaran
4 replies
03:14 pm December 13, 2021

Scrum masters plays several roles like facilitating ceremonies, removing impediments etc. But, if we think in long term perspective what should be the scrum master focus area?

 


03:53 pm December 13, 2021

To quote the Scrum Guide:

The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization.

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.

Scrum Masters are true leaders who serve the Scrum Team and the larger organization

 


04:56 pm December 13, 2021

Scrum masters plays several roles like facilitating ceremonies, removing impediments ...

I have issue with that statement.  The current edition of the Scrum Guide states 

  • 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.

They don't remove impediments, they cause the removal.  They don't facilitate ceremonies, they ensure that they take place and are effective.  It doesn't say that the Scrum Master does it themselves. I see it as something that they help the Scrum Team do for themselves.  Especially since those are listed as ways the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team. 

But, if we think in long term perspective what should be the scrum master focus area?

As I mentioned before, you only listed things that the Scrum Master does to serve the Scrum Team.  But the Scrum Guide also states that the Scrum Master serves the Product Owner and the Organization.  Since the Scrum Team (remember this is inclusive of the Scrum Master and Product Owner) are also part of the Organization I consider the services to the Organization to be the more important goals long term.  Those are:

The Scrum Master serves the organization in several ways, including:

  • Leading, training, and coaching the organization in its Scrum adoption;

  • Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organization;

  • Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach for complex work; and,

  • Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams.

 

 


05:23 pm December 13, 2021

What are the Two primary focus areas for scrum master?

I'd suggest that if there were two, neither would be primary, nor a focus.

It can be helpful to think of the Scrum Master's key accountability as being the management of the Scrum Framework. He or she manages what people have in their heads about it.


06:15 am December 14, 2021

Scrum masters plays several roles like facilitating ceremonies, removing impediments etc. 

These are not even primary accountabilities of a Scrum Master. Different accountabilities listed in the Scrum guide for a Scrum Master itself is from now and will go on because Scrum Master services to Developers, Product Owner and Organisation are already a wide range to focus


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