How to become scrum master?

In project management, Scrum has gained wide popularity for its agility. The main role in agile methodology is of the Scrum Master. There are many roles and responsibilities of the Scrum Master that will be discussed further. Scrum is a framework that is designed to make complex projects productive. In this Scrum Master serves as a guide for the entire process.

What is a Scrum Master?

A scrum master is a guide who makes sure that the team communicates and collaborates smoothly in an Agile environment. The project is divided into small phases that are known as sprints. The scrum master makes sure that each sprint is completed within the given time. Scrum is a methodology in which teams self-organize themselves and work commonly for a single goal. Now, Agile is the methodology where the project is broken down into sub-parts and based on experience it is regularly updated. It is best suited for projects that need to be completed quickly.

What Does a Scrum Master Do?

Scrum Master plays multiple roles such as a coach, guide, mentor, mediator, and facilitator. Their main focus is to remove the obstacles that may stop the team’s progress. Scrum Master does not place orders on the team to perform tasks, rather it empowers them to make decisions and complete the project.

Scrum Master Responsibilities

A scrum master plays a most important role in providing the Scrum process and making sure that the team follows all the principles. Some responsibilities of Scrum Master are:

1. Ensuring Scrum Adoption: The Scrum Master is responsible for supporting Scrum practices within the team. It takes care of educating the team about the Scrum Process. Helps the team to complete specified tasks. Makes the team to self-organize and manage their work.
2. Meeting Facilitation: The Scrum Master facilitates the various Scrum activities, ensuring they are effective and timed. It also includes sprint planning. Planning and preparation is done by the Scrum Master. It also ensures that the events occur effectively. Creates an environment of open communication. It also tracks the team’s progress.
3. Removing Blocker: Identifying and eliminating obstacles that may stop the team’s progress is a crucial responsibility. Works with the team to identify flaws within the project. Helps the team to overcome those blockers. It also helps prevent blockers from appearing again and again.
4. Agile Coaching: The Scrum Master acts as a coach, it helps the team understand and implement Scrum principles and agile methodology. It provides various trainings on the Scrum Process, helps the team to develop agile skills, and continuously improves them.
5. Protecting the Team: It protects the team from external interference, and the Scrum Master provides a focused and productive work environment. It protects the team from distractions, teaches them to make their work the first priority.
6. Reporting: Makes sure the given work is updated on regular basis, by cross-checking all the documentation with the authorities. It regularly takes the update from the team, manages documentation, collaborated with the clients regarding the progress.
7. Fostering Communication: It ensures open communication and collaboration with stakeholders. Provides a smooth interface for the team to collaborate and communicate smoothly. If there is any conflict within the team, Scrum Master tries to resolve it.
8. Team Support: Empowers the team to take lead of their work and decisions. Helps the team to learn from experiences. Provides the basic resources to the team and also creates a supportive environment.

Scrum Master Responsibilities

Scrum Master Roles

Apart from the responsibilities that a Scrum Master have, there are several roles of a scrum master within a team:

1. Servant Leader: Scrum Master keeps their team first and provides all the facilitates their teams’ success, removes obstacles, and motivates them to organize themselves. They create a friendly environment for the team members.
2. Facilitator: Facilitates Scrum events and effective communication among the team, it also takes the charge of sprint planning, sprint reviews, conducts meetings to solve the problems. They ensure the smooth communication among the team.
3. Coach: Scrum Master helps the team to improve its processes and performance. They teach various scrum principles and processes. They help the team members in developing their skills and improve their progress.

How to Become a Scrum Master?

To become a Scrum Master it requires a combination of education, experience, and personal attributes. Some key steps are:

• Educational Background: There is no need for any high level education. A background in project management can be beneficial. Team leadership is one of the key main skill a Scrum Master must possess.
• Scrum Master Training: Take Scrum Master training programs to gain a deep knowledge of Scrum principles. These training programs include Scrum framework, how it is used, what are the roles, etc. This may develop a keen interest within a person to become a Scrum Master.
• Gain Practical Experience: Apply Scrum principles in personal projects wherever you feel like using it as in real world problems. You can take up Scrum based challenges to improve your knowledge. Practically working on Scrum is way better than its theoretical concepts.
• Certification: Obtain a Scrum Master certification to validate your knowledge and skills. These certificates describe your commitment towards your work. You can achieve a certification by attending the training sessions and passing the exams.

What Is a Typical Scrum Master Salary?

Salaries of Scrum Master differs based on factors like experience, location, and industry. On average, a Scrum Master can expect a competitive salary, that shows the demand for agile methodology experience in today’s market. The salary for a Scrum Master in India ranges from 6.5LPA to 26LPA. The demand for Scrum Master is increasing day by day.

How to Get a Scrum Master Certification?

To enhance your marketability as a Scrum Master, you may pursue certification from reputable organizations. The Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org offer well-recognized certifications, including Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM), respectively. Both this certification are recognized by the organizations.

For this you need to take training programs to achieve agile skills and learn Scrum practices. After that apply for the exam to pass the certification. Both CSM and PSM are MCQ based. The certificate will be then valid for two years, after that you need to renew it.

Benefits of a Scrum Master

• It helps the team to more effectively.
• It removes all the obstacles that might delay the project.
• It acts as a mediator between the customer and the Scrum team.
• Scrum Master helps the team to stay motivated throughout the project.

Scrum Process

Scrum is an Agile methodology for developing complex projects. The Scrum process have specific roles, events and some deliverable outcomes:

Roles:

1. Product Owner: One who takes care of the needs of the project.
2. Scrum Master: Facilitates with Scrum Process.
3. Team: Self-organized group of people who work for the increment of the project.

Artifacts:

1. Product Backlog: A list of all features and fixes that need to be made to the product.
2. Sprint Backlog: Selected for a specific Sprint, along with the plan for delivering it.

Events:

1. Sprint: Small phase of the project.
2. Sprint Planning: A meeting at the beginning of each Sprint where the Product Owner and Development Team collaborate.
3. Sprint Review: A meeting at the end of the Sprint where the Development Team presents the increment and the Product Owner discusses what has been done and what to do next.
   
   

   Scrum Process

Conclusion:

With this Agile development strategy, Scrum Master is the guide that keeps the team working collaboratively. By being a leader, removing obstacles, and providing continuation of work, the scrum Master a major role in taking the team towards success. Scrum Master holds the team together and helps them to work well.

FAQs:

1. What is the difference between a Scrum Master and a Project Manager?

Project managers focus on planning, execution, and control, Scrum Masters are facilitators who empower teams to self-organize and adapt quickly.

2. Can anyone become a Scrum Master?

Yes, people from various backgrounds can become Scrum Masters. They require basic qualifications to be a Scrum Mater.

3. Do Scrum Masters code?

Scrum Masters are not required to code, but some may have a technical background.