Why do you need a Scrum Master? Whenever someone asked me this, I suggested them to go back to the basics and read where it is written What is Scrum.
Suggested Read: Definition of Scrum
Once you open the book you will find that the Scrum Guide says –
- Scrum is Lightweight,
- Easy to understand,
- Difficult to Master.
Scrum is Difficult to Master
Now for long, we all have agreed to what is said. Of course, Scrum is light, easy, and at the same time, it is difficult. The first difficulty with scrum is to understand the meaning and usage of its metaphors. Another difficulty is to understand how this framework can help in a specific scenario.
But the biggest difficulty is the nature of Scrum. Scrum can be mistakenly considered as a magic wand which can solve all existing problems. However what Scrum does is, it makes the existing problems prominent.
Imagine a system moving to Scrum, which has many hidden problems. Such a system may go haywire without having someone who knows how exactly Scrum works.
It might disappoint many of you to discover that until we understand Scrum completely, we are not following Scrum. In such cases, we are just pretending to follow Scrum. Which is certainly a poor as well as a risky state to be at. Such scenarios are termed as Scrumfall or Scrumfail.
A smooth sailing duck that looks so calm over the water, is continuously paddling under the water. It takes a lot of effort to make something look effortless.
So is the Scrum framework. In the beginning, you need a Scrum Master to make it a cakewalk, unless you can afford to be in a muddy puddle. Here it makes sense to reiterate that Scrum master is not a designation. It is a role that can be acquired by anyone and perhaps everyone who has the right skills.
Masters are the saviors
Just like any other masters the Scrum Master as well is expected to pass their skills to their teams. The idea is to make their team self-organized and capable to resolve the impediments by themselves. Eventually, this should lead to a situation where the Scrum Master is not required by the team anymore.
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will Disappear.”
– Tao Te Ching
Scrum Masters’s biggest job is to make their job redundant in the team. Until that’s the case the team needs a Scrum master to avoid any Scrumfall situation.
So, if you ask me again, why we need a Scrum Master. Then this time I would not ask you to read the books. I would suggest you to watch some good flicks and understand why Starwars needs the Jedi Master Yoda.
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