Who is a scrum master and how to become one

Scrum is an agile project management system. As a rule, it is used in the IT field. But Scrum is also suitable for setting up workflows in companies from other areas. Especially those whose task is to create an intellectual product: a computer game or accounting software, sales or news site, online store or medical base data.

Actually, Scrum allows you to control all stages of a project: from setting a task to finding the necessary solutions and their implementation. A special specialist monitors that the work goes without interruptions and interruptions, and the product is finally ready on time.

Who is a scrum master

The Scrum Master is the Pro who uses the platform Scrum and with its help teaches employees working on a specific project to properly interact with each other.

The goal of all this is to make collaboration more efficient, predictable, and guaranteeing a concrete result within the expected time frame. And, what is especially important, pleasant and inspiring for all participants in the process.

What a scrum master does

Basically, a scrum master has several different tasks. They are written in the handbook of each such specialist - the Scrum Guide.The 2020 Scrum GuideTM / ScrumGuides, which is a detailed guide to using the platform.

In short, Scrum requires the wizard to create an environment in which these sequential actions take place.

1. Product owner puts in front of the team developers some kind of large-scale task.
2. The team divides it into stages. They are called sprints. The duration of each sprint is usually 1-4 weeks. However, depending on the project, other intervals can be selected. Each sprint is also a small project: from setting a task to achieving a specific result that can be clearly demonstrated to the customer.
3. The Scrum team, in collaboration with the owner and the scrum master, verifies that the result is working. And, if necessary, corrects the plan for the next sprint.
4. Actions are repeated.

To create such an environment, the scrum master has several important responsibilities. By the way, this is why it is impossible to take on its functions concurrently, in parallel with other work: otherwise, the main a task, and the effectiveness of Scrum.

1. Helps team members hear and understand each other

Typically, a Scrum team includes the product owner and developers in addition to the scrum master. For example, front-end and back-end developers, software testers, designers.

The leader sets a task, a certain strategic goal. To implement it, all participants in the process must understand what kind of result is expected and what needs to be emphasized.

The Scrum Master is responsible for making the assignments as transparent as possible. That is, it helps the product owner to clearly define the goals of the project in order to convey them to the developers. Those may have their own suggestions or objections, and all the same scrum-master suggests how to formulate them concisely and accessible to the rest of the participants.

The goal of a specialist is to establish a dialogue within the team in such a way that all its members clearly understand each other and the common task as a whole.

2. Organizes the work process

If the owner can be called conditionally the leader the project, the scrum-master is a kind of servant leader. That is, the person who, according to the formulation of the Scrum Guide, serves the process of achieving the goal.

The wizard builds and organizes teamwork by organizing several activities provided by the Scrum Guide.

• Planning. This is an important meeting before the start of each sprint. Team members get together and discuss the goals and objectives that they will work on at a particular stage.
• Daily scrum. He's a stand-up. This is a short daily meeting, no more than 10-15 minutes, in which the participants track together the progress of the sprint. As a rule, at the stand-up, each person tells his colleagues three things: what work on the project he did yesterday, what he planned for today and whether there were any problems that are important to fix. Thanks to this, every day the whole team knows for sure whether everything is going according to plan.
• Sprint overview. It is held after the completion of each stage. On it, the team demonstrates the result obtained. And the stakeholders (persons interested in the product) evaluate it and give it to the participants feedback.
• Retrospective. At this meeting, the team kind of looks back at the work done and notes what worked out especially well and what did not work out and why. There are also suggestions on how to improve the work in the next sprint.

All these stages make the team more cohesive. Each participant constantly observes how important his role is in the common cause. In addition, short reports improve self-discipline and motivate to look up to the most productive people.

3. Acts as a facilitator for discussions

Working meetings are often ineffective. This happens if the participants are distracted, lose the thread of the conversation, and the discussion goes somewhere else. The Scrum Master's Job as a Facilitator A facilitator is the person who ensures successful group communication. - Approx. ed. — hold attention colleagues, focus on the original topic.

4. Controls the backlog

A backlog is a list of small tasks that need to be completed within each sprint.

It's like scheduling things for the day. You write on pieces of paper something like "Do exercises", "Feed the cat", "Pay for the travel card", "Buy milk and bread", hang them on the refrigerator and take them off as you go. The work is organized in much the same way in Scrum.

The backlog, that is, tasks with the names of the team members responsible for their implementation, are placed in the form of stickers on the information board, in software trackers Trello type either Jira or any other convenient format. It is only important that every team member has access to the backlog, that is, everyone can track the progress of the sprint.

The Scrum-master controls how the tasks in the backlog change: removes completed ones, adds new ones according to the list specified in the planning, finds out why something was not done on time.

5. Helps employees overcome work challenges

If any of the tasks were not completed on time, there is a reason for this. The Scrum Master discovers what has hindered the member of the team, what can be done to help, and what needs to be changed so that such failures do not recur.

The problem may be internal. Suppose an employee has not coped with the load. Or external - for example, related to a malfunction or low performance of equipment. Either way, the scrum master finds a way to overcome the obstacle, involving the product owner and other team members as needed.

The Scrum concept assumes that participants should not be left with problems one-on-one. Indeed, it depends on stable work and mutual support efficiency the whole team as a whole.

6. Teaches a self-organizing team

Another function of the scrum master is educational. He helps colleagues understand what Scrum is, why this platform is needed at all, how it helps to speed up and facilitate work on a project. Receiving detailed answers, they slowly learn to self-organize.

If after a while the team members begin to meet, briefly and effectively discuss the move sprint and quickly remove obstacles without the participation of the scrum-master, which means that he did his work on Great.

What it takes to become a scrum master

In general, this profession is available to almost everyone. But, in order to assess the chances of success, first you should look for some important character traits in yourself.

• Ability and desire to communicate. The work of a scrum master requires constant daily interaction with people. If endless negotiations, heart-to-heart conversations and meetings tire you, it will be difficult.
• The ability to quickly analyze and communicate the information received to people. The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that team members understand each other. This means that he should instantly grasp the essence of what the developer, designer or product owner wants to say, and then succinctly translate it into words that other participants can understand.
• Patience. The Scrum Master explains convinces, repeats. Sometimes 10 times. It is important to do this with a benevolent smile.
• Organizational skills. The key task of a scrum master is to build an effective team. Moreover, this specialist is not a boss, which means that he cannot apply administrative pressure to colleagues. All management from the side of the scrum-master is carried out exclusively with a kind word and personal charisma.
• Leadership skills. The Master is the person who must engage the team with Scrum ideas. This is impossible if he is not able to gain people's trust and become an informal leader.
• Ability to create a comfortable working environment. This skill cannot be acquired in any course. But if he is not there, the job as a scrum master is unlikely to be successful.

Feel the necessary talents and strength - go for it. According to205 vacancies "Scrum master" / HeadHunter recruiting site HeadHunter, salaries of scrum-masters in Russia start at an average of 100 thousand rubles a month. Including at a distance. Perhaps this is your professional future.

Where scrum masters are trained

Universities do not provide such education. Therefore, do not waste time looking for a suitable university. The most effective way to get a profession in demand is to take an appropriate course in one of the online schools that specialize in training specialists for IT spheres and not only. There are many courses, among them you can choose an option for any level, pace and wallet.

1. Certified ScrumMaster® by Skillbox

• For whom. Well Certified ScrumMaster® Suitable for everyone - from beginners to practicing scrum masters who want to hone their skills in managing complex projects. Also useful for leaders: you will figure out how to increase the productivity of your team and how to make work more consistent, uniform and predictable.
• How much is. 700 euros. Please note that Skillbox regularly offers discounts and installments.
• How long will it take. The course includes 10 online sessions of 90 minutes each. Plus homework. You can practice at your own pace. Lessons will be available at the end of the course.
• What's on the way out. Scrum master skills and certificate from the international company Scrum Alliance ®.

2. Agile Fundamentals: A Scrum Method for Web Development by Netology

• For whom. Well "Agile Fundamentals: The Scrum Method for Web Development"- basic, for those who just looking closely to the profession. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of the philosophy and fundamentals of Scrum.
• How much is. 790 rubles.
• How long will it take. 2 hours 10 minutes. Please note that in addition to the theoretical part, the course includes a knowledge test.
• What's on the way out. Basic skills in project planning and working with teams, as well as a certificate of completion from the Netology platform.

3. Scrum for Product Development by L.A.B.A

• For whom. Well "Scrum for product development"Is intended primarily for product or project managers, as well as those who have already had to improve teamwork. For example, for company owners or department heads.
• How much is. The manager reports the actual cost.
• How long will it take. The course lasts 7 weeks and includes 14 sessions with a total duration of 21 hours. Plus it will take time to complete your homework.
• What's on the way out. A certificate of completed training and a level of knowledge and practical skills that allow you to start working as a scrum master immediately after the course.

4. The Scrum Master: A Brief Survival Course by ScrumTrek

• For whom. «Scrum Master: A Short Course in Survival»Is aimed at those who already have some experience in managing the work of teams and projects. These are primarily team leaders, project managers, company executivesas well as scrum masters who want to improve their professional level.
• How much is. 25,500 rubles if you are going to study as a private person, and 30,000 rubles - if your training is paid for by a company. Payment by installments at 0% is possible.
• How long will it take. The course lasts 4 weeks and includes 6 hands-on sessions and over 25 videos on scrum topics.
• What's on the way out. In addition to knowledge and skills for working with Scrum, you have the opportunity for an additional fee to receive an international certificate Professional Scrum Master I from the specialized resource Scrum.org.

5. Professional Scrum Master by Luxoft Training

• For whom. Target audience of the course Professional Scrum Master - these are managers and already working scrum masters who want to work out more deeply options for solving various practical problems.
• How much is. 55 thousand rubles.
• How long will it take. 16 hours.
• What's on the way out. After completing the course, participants must take an online test on the Scrum.org website. If successful, the PSM certificate will be emailed and the listener profile added to the PSM list on Scrum.org.