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Scrum Master: Role and Responsibilities

~13 minutes read

Table Of Contents

Scrum Definition: What is Scrum and how does it work?

The Scrum Framework is an agile method that was developed to effectively and efficiently develop, deliver, and maintain complex products. The developers of the framework, Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, created it to help teams solve complex and adaptable problems while delivering products of the highest possible value.

The definition of Scrum states that it is a framework for agile development that enables people to address complex problems while being productive and creative. Scrum is easy to implement and understand, but relatively difficult to master. Therefore, the Scrum Master plays an important role in the team to ensure that the framework is correctly applied and team members understand their roles and responsibilities.

A Scrum team consists of the Product Owner, the development team, and a Scrum Master. The Product Owner is responsible for developing and prioritizing the Product Backlog items. The development team is cross-functional and has the skills to do the work without being bound to anyone outside the team. The Scrum Master ensures that the team works effectively and applies the Scrum framework correctly.

Scrum Master: Role & Responsibilities in the Team

The Scrum Master is an important role in a Scrum team and has a variety of responsibilities. The main task of the Scrum Master is to ensure that the team correctly applies the Scrum framework and promotes agility in the organization.

One of the main tasks of the Scrum Master is to ensure that the Scrum team understands and correctly applies the Scrum practices and rules. The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the team fully understands the roles, artifacts, and events of the Scrum framework and that they are applied effectively.

The Scrum Master is also responsible for ensuring that the team works effectively and that obstacles are removed. The Scrum Master helps the team identify issues that affect productivity and supports the team in finding solutions to eliminate these problems.

Another important task of the Scrum Master is to support the team in improving its way of working. The Scrum Master encourages the team to continuously learn and improve by providing feedback and organizing retrospective sessions to assess the team's performance and identify improvements.

Finally, the Scrum Master is also responsible for ensuring that the Scrum team is successful. The Scrum Master supports the team in achieving its goals and promotes collaboration among team members.

Overall, the Scrum Master is a critical role in a Scrum team and helps ensure that the team works productively and effectively. The Scrum Master supports the team in adhering to the Scrum rules and practices, helps eliminate obstacles, and promotes the continuous improvement of the team. You can also learn more about agile work in our article on agile vs. Scrum.

The Scrum Leader serves the Scrum Master Product Owner according to the following points:

  • To help all team members understand their goals, scope, and product range as well as possible.
  • Discovering and teaching new tools to support and facilitate the effective management of the product business's observation list.
  • Conveying an empirical understanding of product planning.
  • Teaching how the Scrum Master Product Owner should organize the product business observation list.
  • Ensuring that the Agile Manifesto is understood and put into practice.
  • Leading the implementation of Scrum events, serving as a role model.

The Scrum Leader serves team members in accordance with the following points:

  • Coaching team members on self-management of the development team and cross-functional issues.
  • Supporting the development team in the development of high-quality key products.
  • Eliminating obstacles that the development team may face.
  • Being a role model in managing Scrum events and managing events as needed.
  • Coaching teams trying to introduce Scrum to make it understandable.

The Scrum Leader serves the organization in accordance with the following points:

  • Leading and coaching teams undergoing organizational digital transformation when introducing Scrum.
  • Planning Scrum activities in the organization.
  • Supporting employees in understanding Scrum.
  • Collaborating and exchanging ideas with Scrum Leaders in other organizations.

Scrum Leader functions as the title of the following list:

  • The Leader deals with the workings of the software development team and organizations, business goals, and customer needs.
  • The Moderator is the person who sets the rules and environment in which the software development team can collaborate.
  • A Coach is a person who coaches team members and works with the software development team, coaching continuous changes, improvements, and agile transformations in the organization.
  • The Manager is the person responsible for eliminating and managing obstacles in the software development team, improving the process, and the limits of self-management.
  • The Mentor is the person who passes on knowledge and experience of agile methods to development team members.
  • The Teacher is the person who ensures that other agile approaches related to the Scrum method are understood and adjusted accordingly.
  • A problem solver is someone who strives to eliminate barriers to the software development team, considering the self-management of the software development team.
  • The Change Agent is the person who identifies and supports areas where the software 

Scrum team can improve and prioritize transformation.

Why is it important to become a professional Scrum Master?

Scrum Masters, who are tasked with ensuring the successful management of processes related to the Scrum method, are responsible for gaining the necessary competence in managing software processes on both customer and team bases.

In today's world, where customers can change their decisions much faster than before, the Scrum method, which allows for much faster response to software processes, has become one of the most important points of successful software companies. In the Scrum method, where responses to customer needs are much faster, it is much easier to produce quick solutions than usual.

How to become a professional Scrum Master?

As a Scrum Master, Scrum experts are referred to as those who can apply Scrum, an application development methodology in software engineering, in all details to the project and have the necessary certification. To become a Professional Scrum Master, it is sufficient to attend the Professional Scrum Master courses through accredited institutes with high success and pass the exam held by Scrum.org with the necessary knowledge and tools successfully.

The Certified Scrum Master at the Foundation level of Professional Scrum Master certifications validates the holder's overall Scrum knowledge. It is a certificate that companies can expect from both their own employees and new hires, especially in agile transformation.

Why is the Professional Scrum Master Course important?

The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) course is a training program for those who want to learn the principles and theory of Scrum and apply Scrum effectively in real-life scenarios. The PSM course aims to provide Scrum Masters with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the needs of their team members and enable them to collaborate. Additionally, the course provides the necessary support to improve team performance. With the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) course, you can clearly understand the rules of Scrum.

The professionals who have prepared the course give you the ability to solve problems that you will encounter in real projects when applying the Scrum method. At the end of the training, you are ready for the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) exams.

SCRUM™

Who should attend the Professional Scrum Master Course?

The course is not only aimed at those who want to become Scrum Masters. At the same time, those who want to learn how the Scrum method is applied and how it can improve team performance can obtain this certificate. Anyone who wants to document their Scrum knowledge and skills with a Scrum Master certificate should participate. If we explain this in more detail:

  1. People who want to start a career as a Scrum Master.
  2. Software developers, analysts, testers, project managers, team managers.
  3. Anyone involved in product delivery using Scrum.

Criteria for the Professional Scrum Master I exam

The PSM 1 exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. To be successful, you must answer 85% of the questions correctly, which is at least 68 correct answers out of 80 questions. The exam time is only 60 minutes. Despite your internet interruption, the exam time continues. Therefore, it is recommended to take the exam in a place where interruption is unlikely.

  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Number of questions: 80
  • Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, true/false
  • Lifetime certification – no annual renewal fee required

What is the goal of the Professional Scrum Master II course?

The Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) course is a training program designed to support Scrum Masters in their professional development. It is designed for Scrum Masters with at least one year of experience. The goal of the course is to provide the knowledge and skills that the participant needs to successfully pass the globally recognized Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification exam.

Requirements: Passing the PSM 1 exam and at least 12 months of Scrum Master practice experience.

Criteria for the Professional Scrum Master II exam

Participants who pass the PSM II exam have documented advanced Scrum mastery. They demonstrate that they have comprehensive knowledge of Scrum principles, can effectively apply Scrum in agile project management, and are able to solve problems that arise. The PSM II exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. An 85% success rate is required for 30 questions. The exam duration is 90 minutes.

  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Number of questions: 30
  • Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, true/false
  • Lifetime certification – no annual renewal fee required

Importance of the Scrum Master role in the SAFe Framework

SAFe stands for "Scaled Agile Framework." It helps scale agile applications at the enterprise level. Compliance with guidelines is never easy when multiple teams or departments are transitioning to agile scaling at the same time. At this point, learning these tactical skills necessary to become an effective Scrum Master provides a tremendous advantage.

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) takes organizational adaptability to a higher level with agile working. As a SAFe Scrum Master, these individuals can coach their team in a process that is an integral part of the development process of the entire organization.

SAFe Scrum Master provides a solid understanding of the Scrum Master role. While the traditional Scrum Master focuses on the essence of Scrum at the team level, the SAFe Scrum Master provides the role of the Scrum Master in the context of the entire organization.

The SAFe Scrum Master ensures the successful planning and execution of the Program Increment (PI), the essential tool for compliance at all levels throughout the enterprise. Additionally, as a servant leader and coach, you will learn how to build high-performing agile teams and coach them to achieve business results to the greatest extent possible with the SAFe Scrum Master.

Becoming a SAFe Scrum Master

The SAFe Scrum Master role defines the challenges and supports SAFe principles and practices. The functions of the SAFe Scrum Master are:

  1. The SAFe Scrum Master helps the team not only create value but also increase productivity. It makes teams more predictable. The SAFe Scrum Master helps with iteration planning and scaling to the release planning level. They help organize PI events that require some groundwork for better PI results.
  2. The SAFe Scrum Master helps align teams with larger release trains and ensures the common enterprise goal is achieved.
  3. Facilitates activities such as Daily Stand-up, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective, ensuring optimal team performance and meeting schedules.
  4. Ensures that teamwork is visible and transparent to all stakeholders, including the customer and other teams within the organization. This includes detailed and up-to-date information about the team's progress and regularly reporting this information to stakeholders.
  5. Promotes transparency in team decision-making by encouraging team members to exchange information and participate in open discussions. This includes facilitating the use of open and transparent communication channels like agile planning tools. All these aspects of transparency are crucial in building a culture of trust, harmony, and continuous improvement within the team and ensuring stakeholders have a clear understanding of the team's progress and performance.
  6. Supports the team's problem-solving efforts and guides their progress.
  7. Acts as a servant leader, promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the team.
  8. Has a strong understanding of Agile and Scrum principles, methods, and practices.
  9. Helps overcome progress barriers by offering training and coaching to help the team and other stakeholders understand the Scrum framework and its application in the organization.
  10. All these aspects and functions help the SAFe Scrum Master effectively lead the team, promote a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the team, and ultimately create value for the customer.

How to become a SAFe Scrum Master?

After passing the SAFe Scrum Master exam, you will be certified as a SAFe Scrum Master (SSM). This certification demonstrates the readiness and ability to take on the role of Scrum Master in a SAFe environment. The shortest way to successfully pass the SAFe Scrum Master exam conducted by Scrum.org is to participate in the Safe Scrum Master course.

This course covers the basic principles and practices of SAFe that apply to the Scrum Master role. It is recommended to study at accredited institutes. Completing the special curriculum prepared by experienced trainers for the exam and passing the exam increases the success rate.

Criteria for the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) exam

The SSM 1 exam consists of 45 multiple-choice questions. The participant needs a success rate of 73% to pass. The exam time is only 90 minutes.

  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Number of questions: 45
  • Format: Multiple choice (1-3 answers)
  • Minimum score: (73%)

How to become a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)?

To become a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, it is recommended to participate in a course at accredited institutions. In this course, Scrum Masters are prepared for leadership roles in promoting agile team, program, and organizational success in a SAFe implementation. With SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, interactions between teams can be facilitated to support program execution and continuous improvement. Here, actionable tools for building high-performing teams are learned and practical ways are explored.

SAFe® Scrum Master

Criteria for the SAFe Scrum Master (SASM) exam:

Participants who pass the SASM exam have an advanced Scrum Master certification. The SASM exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 73% for 60 questions. To pass the exam, 44 correct answers are required. The exam duration is 120 minutes.

  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Number of questions: 60
  • Format: Multiple choice (1-3 answers)
  • Passing score: 44/60 (73%)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Scrum Master plays a crucial role in agile projects. As a "servant leader," they ensure that the Scrum team works effectively and efficiently by ensuring adherence to the Scrum methodology and promoting team spirit.

If you are interested in a career in the agile environment or already work in the IT industry, you can find a comprehensive collection of courses on our "Scaled Agile Framework" page, including our "SAFe Scrum Master" course. Here, you can find all our SAFe courses in one place.

In addition, on our "Academy" page, we offer a wide range of training and certifications. Here, you can find not only courses on agile methods but also on other important topics such as iSAQB, IREB, Scrum.org, and much more. Why not take a look and discover the opportunities available to you?


References

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