It is often said that a scrum master is a servant leader and should not take on the role of a project manager in their day-to-day activities. However, have we ever stopped to think about how these two roles differ in their day-to-day activities and how they react to challenges?
In this article, I will explore the differences between the two roles in five common scenarios. I will show how the scrum master and the project manager approach each scenario differently and how their different perspectives can lead to different outcomes.
This is my second article on this topic. You can find the first one here.
1. The team is struggling to meet the sprint goal.
In this situation, the project manager should:
Assess the situation. Talk to the team to understand why they are struggling and what can be done to improve.
Set clear expectations. Make sure the team knows what is expected of them and what the consequences are for not meeting the sprint goal.
Provide support. Offer the team the resources and assistance they need to succeed.
The scrum master should:
Encourage the team to self-organize. Help the team find ways to work more efficiently and effectively.
Remove impediments. Identify and remove any obstacles that are preventing the team from meeting the sprint goal.
Foster a positive team environment. Create a space where the team feels comfortable communicating and collaborating.
2. A team member is not pulling their weight.
In this situation, the project manager should:
Talk to the team member directly. Find out why they are not performing and what can be done to help them improve.
Set clear expectations. Make sure the team member knows what is expected of them and what the consequences are for not meeting expectations.
Take disciplinary action if necessary. If the team member continues to not perform, the project manager may need to take disciplinary action.
The scrum master should:
Talk to the team member privately. Find out what is causing the team member to not perform and how the scrum master can help.
Coach the team member on how to improve their performance. Provide the team member with feedback and guidance on how to be more effective.
Foster a supportive team environment. Create a space where the team member feels comfortable asking for help and receiving feedback.
3. The team is facing a technical challenge.
In this situation, the project manager should:
Help the team find the resources they need to solve the problem. This could include providing access to documentation, experts, or tools.
Be available to answer questions and provide support. The project manager should be a resource for the team as they work to solve the problem.
Make sure the team stays on track. The project manager should help the team stay focused on the goal and avoid getting sidetracked.
The scrum master should:
Help the team identify the root cause of the problem. This is important in order to find a lasting solution.
Facilitate problem-solving discussions. The scrum master can help the team to come up with creative solutions to the problem.
Encourage the team to learn from the experience. The team should take away lessons that will help them to avoid similar problems in the future.
4. The team is making good progress, but there is a risk of scope creep.
In this situation, the project manager should:
Set clear boundaries around the scope of the project. This will help to prevent the team from taking on too much work.
Regularly review the project plan and make adjustments as needed. This will help to ensure that the project stays on track.
Communicate with stakeholders about the project's progress and risks. This will help to keep everyone on the same page and prevent surprises.
The scrum master should:
Encourage the team to focus on the agreed-upon goals. The scrum master can help the team to stay focused on the task at hand and avoid getting sidetracked by new ideas.
Facilitate regular retrospectives. This is a good opportunity for the team to discuss the project's progress and identify any potential risks.
Help the team to create a culture of continuous improvement. This will help to ensure that the team is always learning and adapting to new challenges.
5. The team is feeling burnt out.
In this situation, the project manager should:
Check in with the team regularly to see how they are feeling.
Encourage the team to take breaks and take care of themselves.
Be flexible with deadlines and expectations.
The scrum master should:
Help the team to identify ways to reduce stress and improve their work-life balance.
Facilitate regular team-building exercises to help the team bond and support each other.
Create a positive and supportive team environment.
These are just a few examples of how a project manager and a scrum master can work together to ensure the success of a project. The specific behaviors that are required will vary depending on the specific situation. However, by understanding the roles and responsibilities of each role, project managers and scrum masters can work together to create a high-performing team.
I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.
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