Concepts
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) professionals play an essential role in helping teams adapt to Agile processes and enhance their self-management capabilities. This is possible through the application of techniques and tools that foster efficiency, resilience, learning, and continuous improvement.
One such powerful technique to enhance team self-management ability is the ‘Delegation Board’.
Delegation Boards can be used to clearly define roles and responsibilities, providing a visual management approach towards decision-making. A simple version of a delegation board consists of the following areas:
Table: Example of a Delegation Board layout
| Role | Task 1 | Task 2 | Task 3 | Task 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Role 1 | D | D | A | I |
| Role 2 | I | D | C | D |
| Role 3 | D | I | D | A |
D = Do (responsible for doing the task)
I = Influence (responsible for having influence over the task)
C = Consult (should be consulted before a decision or action)
A = Approve (responsible for approving the final decision)
This Delegation Board’s visual nature provides clarity about responsibilities and expectations, thus empowering individuals and encouraging ownership. This, in turn, fosters trust, collaboration, transparency, and lead to improved self-management.
Another technique that an A-CSM could implement to enhance their team’s self-management capabilities is ‘Retrospectives’.
Retrospectives are a scheduled opportunity where teams come together after each sprint to reflect upon their performance, key learning, and areas of improvement. This approach encourages autonomous learning, self-critique, and continuous improvement.
For instance, a simple retrospective may include discussing the following:
- What went well in the last sprint?
- What could be improved in the next sprint?
- What actions can we take to make those improvements?
Retrospectives encourage reflection and open dialogue among team members, fostering a sense of collective responsibility, shared comprehension of issues and solutions, and resulting in a better self-managed team.
To further increase the effectiveness of retrospectives, try introducing ‘Safety Check’ before starting the discussion. This helps to measure team members’ comfort levels in speaking openly about issues and can open doors to more honest discussions.
A further technique to enhance self-management within teams is ‘Strength-based Feedback’.
Encouraging team members to recognize and appreciate each other’s strengths not only boosts morale but also promotes a positive and supportive team culture. This approach helps in enhancing the level of trust among team members, which is a vital element in achieving a self-managed team.
In conclusion, fostering a self-managing team is an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and a willingness to continually learn and improve.
The delegation board, retrospectives, and strength-based feedback are just a few examples of techniques that A-CSM certified professionals can apply to help their teams thrive independently. As ScrumMasters we should continually encourage and coach our teams to progressively become more self-organizing and own their development journey.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Empowering team members to make decisions can improve their ability to self-manage in a Scrum team.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Which of the following techniques help a Scrum Master improve a team’s self-management ability? (Multiple Select)
- Implement time tracking software
- Foster a culture of trust and collaboration
- Micro-manage every team member’s tasks
- Facilitate regular retrospectives
Correct Answers: Foster a culture of trust and collaboration, Facilitate regular retrospectives
True or False: Conflict management is a technique that can improve a team’s ability to self-manage.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Which of the following is not a way a Scrum Master can help improve a team’s ability to self-manage?
- Implementing more rules and regulations
- Encourage open and honest communication
- Foster individual accountability
- Encourage collaborative decision-making
Correct Answer: Implementing more rules and regulations
True or False: Teaching the team how to use Agile tools and techniques can help them manage themselves better.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
As a Scrum Master, what should be your response when a team member makes a mistake?
- Punish them
- Ignoring the mistake
- Use it as a teaching opportunity
- Take over their tasks
Correct Answer: Use it as a teaching opportunity
True or False: Adding more team members is a sound technique to improving a team’s ability to self-manage.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: False
What is the role of a Scrum Master in team’s self-management?
- Take over majority of the work
- Facilitator and coach
- Monitor every team member’s activity
- Decide everything for the team
Correct Answer: Facilitator and coach
True or False: Building a culture of open feedback can help improve the team’s ability to manage themselves.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Which of the following qualities are important for a self-managing team? (Multiple Select)
- Openness to feedback
- Shared responsibility
- Individual accountability
- Passive compliance
Correct Answers: Openness to feedback, Shared responsibility, Individual accountability
True or False: Encouraging the team to engage in decision making can improve their ability to manage themselves.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Which of these is the least effective method for a team to improve their self-management ability?
- Enhancing communication skills
- Delegating all decision-making to the Scrum Master
- Engaging in regular retrospectives
- Improving conflict resolution skills
Correct Answer: Delegating all decision-making to the Scrum Master
Great article! I think self-organization is crucial for a successful Scrum team.
Has anyone tried using delegation poker to improve team self-management? It worked wonders for us.
An excellent method is to implement regular retrospectives. The team can reflect and continuously improve.
Thanks for the post, it was very insightful!
I’ve found that empowering the team to make decisions increases their sense of ownership.
One technique I’m curious about is Scrum of Scrums. Can it help teams manage themselves better?
Great blog post!
Allowing team members to lead daily stand-ups can enhance self-management skills.