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However, there are situations where it is more effective for the Scrum Master not to act as a facilitator. Given below are two such situations as requested, relevant to the advanced certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) examination.
In Scrum, one of the ultimate goals is to develop a self-organizing and mature team. According to the “2020 Scrum Guide,” such a group of individuals should be self-managing, meaning that they internally decide who does what, when, and how.
A mature and self-organizing team doesn’t require constant facilitation as it can resolve conflicts, make decisions, and work collaboratively without heavy intervention. The team can conduct Scrum events like Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospectives on their own while maintaining the Scrum’s empiricism and values.
In this scenario, the Scrum Master should step back as a facilitator and act more as a coach. The Scrum Master’s focus should shift towards maintaining the Scrum framework integrity, fostering a positive and engaging environment, eliminating impediments that are external to the team, and working with other stakeholders to maximize value delivery.
Scrum Master as Facilitator | Scrum Master as Coach |
---|---|
Micromanaging the events and tasks | Providing guidance only when needed |
Regular monitoring of task progress | Trusting the team to manage tasks |
Resolving conflicts and making decisions | Guiding the team to solve conflicts and make decisions on their own |
There are instances where an organization or scrum team might have other skilled and trained facilitators. These could be Agile Coaches, Product Owners, or team members who have experience and training in facilitation.
Having a Scrum Master always facilitating can create dependency and may hinder taking other responsibilities like coaching, mentoring, teaching, or working with other stakeholders. In such a situation, Scrum Master needs to step back and let other capable individuals lead the facilitation process.
However, as a Scrum Master, it’s essential to ensure that the scrum principles are not compromised during the facilitation by others. Provide guidance and training to these individuals, if necessary, and be ready to step in if the situation demands.
Scrum Master as Facilitator | Scrum Master as Collaborative Team Player |
---|---|
Always leading the facilitation | Encouraging and enabling others to facilitate |
Creating dependency on Scrum Master | Fostering a cooperative and self-organizing team |
Reduced time for other Scrum Master responsibilities | More time for other Scrum Master responsibilities, such as coaching, removing impediments |
36 Replies to “describe two examples when the Scrum Master should not act as the facilitator for the Scrum Team.”
Are there any situations where you think it’s crucial for the Scrum Master to always be the facilitator?
During Daily Standups, to ensure they are brief and focused.
In conflict resolution where the Scrum Master is not part of the conflict, to mediate and guide the conversation.
Thanks for the insights! I also think when the Scrum Master is part of the conflict, they should not intervene as a facilitator.
This was a very helpful post!
In our team, we sometimes have the Product Owner facilitate certain meetings. It provides a different focus.
Interesting approach. That can help bring the product perspective more prominently into discussion.
What do you think about the Scrum Master facilitating sprint planning meetings?
I believe they should. It’s part of their role to ensure the team stays on track during planning.
I appreciate the blog post. I learned a lot!
Thanks! This is exactly the information I was looking for.
I disagree with the point about Scrum Master during conflict resolution. They can be crucial in mediating and providing a neutral point.
This article provided much clarity. Thanks!
I believe another instance is when legal or compliance discussions are taking place. Experts should facilitate those.
Indeed, those areas require specialized knowledge that Scrum Masters might not have.
This was an awesome read. Appreciate it!
What about during retrospectives? Should the Scrum Master always facilitate?
Not always. Sometimes, having a team member facilitate can provide fresh perspectives.
Good read! I learned a lot about when it’s appropriate for a Scrum Master to step back.
Very informative. Thanks for sharing!
Great discussion! Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Great post! In my experience, having an impartial facilitator helps keep the meeting balanced.
I think it’s critical for a Scrum Master to recognize their limits and step back when needed.
Totally agree. Self-awareness is key for effective facilitation.
Thanks for the information. Very useful.
It’s an excellent point about conflict resolution. Sometimes the presence of the Scrum Master can escalate the issue.
Exactly, especially if the Scrum Master is perceived as taking sides.
Great article! One instance where the Scrum Master should not act as a facilitator is during conflict resolution among team members. It’s often best to let them resolve it themselves or bring in an external mediator.
Absolutely. Allowing team members to resolve issues builds trust and team cohesion.
Appreciate the post! I agree that during high-stakes negotiations, an external facilitator is better.
Will keep this in mind. Great advice!
Good point! Another situation is during highly technical discussions where the Scrum Master may not have the expertise. In such cases, it’s better to let SME (Subject Matter Experts) lead the discussion.
Agreed. Technical discussions can sometimes be too detailed for Scrum Masters, especially if they have a non-technical background.
When large-scale architectural changes are being discussed, should the Scrum Master step aside?
I think so. Large-scale architectural decisions often require deep technical knowledge and experience.
Yes, it’s best to let the team lead those discussions to ensure all technical perspectives are considered.