The implementation of the Scrum has been evolving throughout all sectors, not just in the software industry. Because of its simple framework, it’s popular among the organizing teams to deliver complex products. The Scrum guide has only 17 pages, which does not include complete mythology, maybe that’s the reason there’s confusion over what exactly the Scrum Master’s duties are.
Here are some of the Myths about Scrum Master Roles:
Myth 1: The Scrum Master is the leader of the Scrum team
Many people think that being a Scrum Master means they will get to manage the Scrum team. This is a very common myth. The Scrum Master is not as same as a project manager, this misconception can lead to trouble while selecting Scrum Master as a profession.
Myth 2: The Scrum Master is the boss
Scrum Master is not the boss, they do not hire or fire team members or at least it is not part of being a Scrum Master. They are not in charge of people’s salaries or anything as such. The Scrum Master and the development team is the part of the Scrum team, not even a former team leader.
Myth 3: The Scrum Master is an assistant
The Scrum Master is an evolutionary role. Maybe they start their role as a sort of administrator, relieving the team from the mundane. But thinking Scrum Master is a personal assistant to anyone in the team or thinking that Scrum Master just documents things and keeps everything organized is worse.
This myth has a limited definition of the Scrum Master duties. They do schedule all the events in everyone’s agenda to help with the Scrum values, highlight flaws and guide improvement. but do not give them the title of being anyone’s assistant. It is not respectful to treat them like assistance even when they are non-technical Scrum Masters. It is not necessary to have a technical background to give guidance to people in this role.
Myth 4: The Scrum Master is the organization president
It does not make sense when Developers can self-manage, create the Sprint Backlog and update it when the plan needs adjusting to ask the Scrum Master to keep them up to the board.
The Scrum Master is not like a Project Manager, they do the reporting. Both the Scrum Master and Project manager have completely different roles, generally, a Project Manager has a hierarchical role above the team.
If the Scrum Master is an Agile Project Manager, iteration manager or delivery manager then there’s a reason for the Scrum Master to do the project management reporting also.
Myth 5: Only people with technical backgrounds can be a Scrum Master
Although it is very helpful to have a technical background, IT exposure is never a compulsion. A Scrum Master is a person who creates and maintains the flow of work irrespective of their field of work. A Scrum Master has to be a person who does not involve personal emotions in any discussion. Sometimes, even a certified Scrum Master finds it hard to get the role of Scrum Master without any agile experience. Anyone can acquire Scrum Master certification to become a certified Scrum Master.
Myth 6: The Scrum Master has to attend daily Scrum
The daily Scrum event is compulsory for developers. Its purpose revolves around inspecting progress towards the Sprint Goal and making the Sprint Backlog transplant to the whole team and the stakeholders for the next 24 hours. It is not that important to attend an event daily for the Scrum Master. Their main role here is to coach the Development Team to complete the daily Scrum within a limited time with the meetings. The development team is a self-organizing team and they are the ones who have to take part in daily Scrum.
Myth 7: A Scrum Master has to work full-time
The Scrum Master full-time work depends on the skill of the Scrum team and the maturity of the organization. A mature Scrum team should be self-oriented and self-managed and They need a Scrum Master when they face an obstacle in the process.
Conclusion:
In the end, the truth will always prevail. The role of the Scrum is to manage the use of the Scrum framework, an agile coach, facilitator and a mentor whose primary mission is to help the team reach its goal. To reach that level of being a successful Scrum Master you can check out CSM training which will be very helpful.
