create a coaching agreement.

Creating a coaching agreement is an integral part of establishing a structured environment in which both the ScrumMaster and the development team can thrive and succeed. As a Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM), you will often be required to use your knowledge and skills to develop a coaching agreement that facilitates an open, respectful, and productive collaboration on Scrum processes.

Outline Of a Coaching Agreement

Let’s take a look at the key components that need to be included to create an effective coaching agreement:

• Objectives: The first step in creating a coaching agreement is to clearly define the objectives of the engagement. This must align with the overall goals of the Scrum framework, which may include maximizing the value delivered to customers, encouraging self-organization and cross-functionality among team members, and managing product backlogs efficiently.
• Scope: The scope of the agreement entails the limitations, boundaries, and extent to which the ScrumMaster will provide coaching. This may involve defining the particular topics, roles, or Scrum artifacts that would be the focus of their coaching.
• Responsabilities: A key aspect of the coaching agreement is defining the responsibilities of both the coach and the coachee. This involves detailing the expectations, roles, tasks, and deliverables for both parties.
• Duration: An essential part of any coaching agreement is the timeline. This includes the start and end dates of the coaching agreement as well as any key milestones or checkpoints.
• Feedback and Evaluation: The coaching agreement must include mechanisms for providing regular feedback and evaluating the success of the coaching engagement. This would help track progress against objectives and make necessary adjustments.

Example: Creating a Coaching Agreement as a ScrumMaster

Now let’s look at an illustrative example of how a CSP-SM might create a coaching agreement.

First, the ScrumMaster and the development team agree on the objectives of the coaching arrangement. Let’s say, the aim is to streamline the Scrum processes and improve the team’s velocity over the next quarter.

Next, they define the scope of the coaching. In this case, the ScrumMaster’s coaching will focus on effective backlog management and sprint planning.

Then, responsibilities are outlined. The ScrumMaster is responsible for providing necessary tools, techniques, knowledge, and regular coaching sessions. The team, on the other hand, commits to implementing the learnt practices and providing feedback on the process.

The duration of the engagement is also set, let’s say for the next three months. Milestones may be defined depending on the size of the project or team.

Finally, methods for feedback and evaluation are established. Perhaps the ScrumMaster will have a bi-weekly catch up with team members to check progress, and a feedback survey will be conducted at the end of the coaching duration to evaluate the success of the coaching engagement.

Considerations for an Effective Coaching Agreement

The following considerations should be taken into account for a coaching agreement to be effective:

• Flexibility: The agreement should contain a certain degree of flexibility to adjust objectives, scope or responsibilities according to the changing circumstances over the course of the coaching duration.
• Commitment: Both parties need to demonstrate commitment to the agreed actions and responsibilities for the coaching engagement to be successful.
• Communication: Regular, open, and transparent communication fosters trust and understanding, which enables a more effective coaching process.
• Confidentiality: The coaching agreement must set out how the information shared in the coaching process will be treated and protected to ensure confidentiality.

In summary, creating a coaching agreement is a significant activity for a CSP-SM. It helps set the foundation for a successful working relationship, provides clarity about the expectations of both parties, and goes a long way in ensuring the effectiveness of Scrum implementation.