What does a scrum master do all day?

user_4787 0
Viewed 72407

To quote wikipedia:

Scrum is facilitated by a ScrumMaster, whose primary job is to remove impediments to the ability of the team to deliver the sprint goal. The ScrumMaster is not the leader of the team (as they are self-organizing) but acts as a buffer between the team and any distracting influences. The ScrumMaster ensures that the Scrum process is used as intended. The ScrumMaster is the enforcer of rules."

Working on this basis, and the fact that most businesses are running 2-3 projects at a time, what actual work tasks does a SM do to fill a full time job? Or, is it not a full time job and that individual do other things such as development, sales etc?

Do any SM's out there have anything to share?

scrum methodology
17 Answers

Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of having dedicated scrum masters. I am also a team leader and senior developer which more than fills the day.

user_11274600

I typically am on Stack Overflow all day. Oh, and I try to co-ordinate lunches.

user_275360

The ScrumMaster/ Iteration Manager

  • Builds the Release Plan
  • Builds the Scrum/ Iteration Plan
  • Plans and hosts the
    • Scrum/ Iteration Planning Meetings
    • Show & Tells
    • Release Planning Meetings
    • Retrospectives
  • Owns the blocker board and actively works with the team to identify and remove blockers
  • Updates the team WIKI
  • Updates Big Visible Charts in the team room including the story card wall
  • Participates in the daily standup
  • Participates in the daily Scrum of Scrums

The ScrumMaster/ Iteration Manager is also the sheep dog, that is they protect the team (herd). Finally, the ScrumMaster/ Iteration Manager is the point of contact for the team to external resources but primarily the Project Manager.

user_984870

"acts as a buffer between the team and any distracting influences"

That is a full time job. There are a bunch of people who would love to get information from the team and it is the SM to handle those questions. To do that job well, it is important to be proactive, not reactive. Therefore they should be keeping all the wheels running smoothly. It is an amazing transformation when the SM is working well.

Craig_28940

Please note: this question and answer is over twelve years old. The consensus understanding of the role of scrum master has moved on massively since then and so I no longer view this as a valid answer to the question, let alone one worthy of being the accepted answer. By all means downvote it. Beyond that, pay it no heed.

The Scrum Master will do things like ensuring scrums occur, organising sprint planning meetings, retrospectives etc. Also (s)he will be able to explain to management what the team is doing and why the team members cannot be poached off onto other projects until the sprint finishes. Beyond that, there aren't really any defined tasks for the Scrum Master. So one person should easily be able to be Scrum Master for 3 teams, and still have time left over to either do management type jobs (holiday requests, procedures, attending boring meetings with directors or whatever), or be free to contribute to the development resources of the team.

David_Arno_71220

To make a long story short, the Scrum Master is responsible for making things happen. And in practice it is often the case that the Scrum Master is actually a project manager in disguise. At least that's the case in my company.

Jivko_Petiov_113480
Related