Why are scrum masters so important for Agile success?
As Group Scrum Master in MLA BEV - Joshua tells us what he enjoys about Agile but also the challenges he faces and how he thinks Agile is encouraging more transparency, adaptability and trust.
Q. What do you enjoy most about Agile working?
A. Agile gives us clarity about what we need to deliver, with priorities clearly defined for each Sprint. Breaking deliverables down into smaller chunks of work also feels more manageable and keeps us focused and motivated. Working in a close-knit Group/Squads has improved teamwork. We talk more, share more and collaborate more. Having Sprint Showcases every two weeks is a great way to share our progress and get regular feedback. Initially this felt a bit uncomfortable for some people, but it’s got easier as we’ve built trust, and people now feel confident about talking about their concerns or impediments.
Q. What do you enjoy about your role?
A. I’ve been working in Agile for a year now and really enjoy my job as Group Scrum Master. You need to be an all-rounder in this role - good problem-solving skills and being a people person are essential. I love how Agile enables me to work with a more diverse and talented group of people, from all areas of the business. I’m excited to be collaborating more as I learn from others every day, which is also good for my personal development.
Q. How do you feel you add value?
A. Everyone’s more empowered in Agile and there’s more communication and transparency. Things can still slow our progress down, so it’s my job to make the Squads’ and Groups’ lives easier. I add value by leveraging relationships across different teams and functions, to remove impediments and help them deliver their Sprint targets. Having access to dedicated functional resources in each Squad/Group with such diverse knowledge, every day, is fantastic, as it means I can unblock impediments more quickly.
Q. What’s your biggest challenge as a Scrum Master?
A. Agile empowers our teams and enables them to work more autonomously in their Squads/Groups. The downside is that this sometimes means direct reports can feel more disconnected with their Line manager. This can make it more challenging for me to bring Line managers up-to-speed when addressing resource or skill gaps. Another challenge I have is ‘protecting’ the Squad/Group from additional tasks requested by non-Agile managers which are outside of their agreed scope and priorities.
Q. What training did you receive?
A. Before becoming a Group Scrum Master, I completed the mandatory Agile 101 Success Factors training. About six months into the role, I then did the two-day Certified Scrum Master training (CSM). It would help if people could access this training earlier, so they can be effective more quickly. The Agile Coaches have also been invaluable. We worked hand-in-hand as they answered our questions, guided us through the Ceremonies and shared Best Practice. Being part of the Scrum Master Community of Practice also means I can bounce ideas off people who face similar challenges.
Q. What business benefits are you seeing Agile bring?
A. Agile is already helping us improve quality and the speed we get products to market. Before Agile we’d get requests to change the product late in the day, which often pushed the build back. Now, Programme deliverables are agreed upfront. The emphasis is also on building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), getting regular feedback and adapting as we go – so it’s easier to keep to schedule. Having someone dedicated to Quality in the Group also makes a big difference. In MLA BEV we’re already challenging ourselves to deliver our ‘25.5 model year much earlier, which would have been unimaginable before Agile.
Q. What needs to work better for Agile to succeed?
A. I’d like to see Agile being rolled out more quickly, to help minimise conflicts of interest which sometimes happen when Agile and non-Agile teams are working together. We need to be on the same page and share the same priorities to make sure we’re delivering our products more quickly and efficiently. I think this is limiting our progress right now.
Q. What advice would you give to people starting out in Agile?
A. Change can be scary. It’s human nature to feel apprehensive to change. But Agile is all about being transparent, being adaptable and building trust. Talk to other people who are more experienced with Agile and learn from them. Observe Agile Ceremonies. Join a Community of Practice or Yammer Group. Grasp whatever training comes your way. Build a relationship with your Agile Coach. Never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Build your knowledge quickly – so you can become as effective as possible. We’re all in this together and can learn a lot from each other.
Joshua’s recommended resources:
If preparing for your CSM exam, take as many practice tests as possible.
Check out Agile influencers Mark Shead or iZENBridge (Certification & Beyond) on YouTube.
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