The Value of a Good Scrum Master

As a role that is usually filled with someone from a non-technical background (myself included), I’ve had my fair share of running across different people who questioned the “real value” that a Scrum Master brings to the organization. “Can't the team just follow the Scrum framework on their own without a Scrum Master?" “So if team members communicate well with one another, then they don’t really need a Scrum Master, right?” “What specifically does a Scrum Master do all day?"

Now, part of this may have something to do with how vaguely defined the role has been from the start - “the Scrum Master is to do whatever is needed to help the team become high performing.” Another piece may have to do with how great Scrum Masters tend to shine the spotlight on their team anytime there is a major win, stepping back and applauding their fellow team members. All of this and more leads people to wonder whether the role is really needed. In my experience, however, I have seen most (if not all) of these questions be completely eliminated when I am able to discuss or even show the crucial role the Scrum Master plays in helping the organization work more effectively and achieve its goals. And some of these benefits can even be shown after working with the team for only a few weeks.

At its core, the role of a Scrum Master is to facilitate the successful implementation of Scrum within a team or organization. This involves working with the team to understand and follow the Scrum framework, facilitating Scrum ceremonies, and helping to remove any obstacles that may be blocking the team's progress. Often times when people question the value of the role, it is because this is what they think the role entails. While this certainly falls under the purview of the role, this is only the baseline for what a Scrum Master is responsible for.

One of the primary values that a Scrum Master brings to an organization is the ability to help teams work more efficiently and effectively. By using the Scrum framework, teams are able to break down larger projects into smaller, more manageable chunks, and deliver working software more frequently. This can help to reduce risk and increase the overall speed of delivery. Executing on this fully should also minimize rework and any technical debt, as the work should be completely done as outlined in the team’s Definition of Done.

In addition to improving efficiency, a Scrum Master can also help to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. By facilitating regular retrospectives and encouraging open communication, a Scrum Master can help teams identify areas for improvement and implement changes to work more effectively.

Finally, a Scrum Master can help to increase transparency and accountability within the organization. By keeping track of progress and identifying any roadblocks or challenges, a Scrum Master can help to ensure that teams are meeting their commitments and staying on track. Doing so will also highlight the improvement(s) the team/organization is making over time, allowing people to see the value that both Scrum and the Scrum Master are bringing to the table.

Overall, the role of a Scrum Master is crucial for helping organizations achieve their goals and work more effectively. By facilitating the implementation of Scrum and promoting continuous improvement, a Scrum Master can have a major impact on the success of a team or organization.