Understanding and Apply Scrum [P3]: Scrum Team - A day in the life of a Scrum Master Flashcards
What does scrum guide have to say about the day in the of a SM?
- serves devs, PO and org
- e.g. coaching the dev team in self-org and cross-func, helping PO find techniques for effective backlog management, supporting org in scrum adoption
What are some focuses for an SM, according to Barry Overeem?
- creating successful teams - self-org, cross-func, drive for continuous improvement
- support PO - visualise progress, creating transparent product backlog
- support org - changing processes, procedures, culture and behaviour
- ensure spirit of scrum understood
What are some important characteristics of a great SM?
- Ensures the entire team supports the chosenScrum process;
- Manages theimpedimentsthat exceedthe self-organizing capabilities of the team and it prevents them in achieving the Sprint Goal;
- Recognizeshealthy team conflictand promotes constructive disagreement;
- Is prepared to bedisruptiveenough to enforce a change within the organization;
- Understands the power ofself-management;
- Understands the value of asteady sprint rhythmand does everything to create and maintain it;
- Knows how totruly listenand is comfortable with silence;
- Understands thestrength of coachingand has learned some powerful questions by heart;
- Teaches the Product Ownerhow to maximize ROI and meet objectives;
- Is also competent withXP, Kanban, and Lean.
What questions should an SM ask themselves in terms of the PO?
- Is the Product Backlog in shape?
- How is he/she managing the stakeholders?
- What about delivering business value and return-on-investment?
What questions should an SM ask themselves in terms of the scrum team?
- Are they working together?
- Is there conflict in the team, do they resolve that?
- Is the team making decisions?
What questions should an SM ask themselves in terms of the engineering practices?
- Is the team caring and improving them?
- How is the test automation?
- Is the team expanding their Definition of Done?
What questions should an SM ask themselves in terms of the organisation?
- Is there inter-team coordination?
- What organizational impediments are in the way?
- What about the HR practices?
What sort of mindset should an SM start their day with?
open and curious mind
What is a good first question to consider at the start of the day of an SM?
“How can I improve the life of the Scrum Team by facilitating creativity and empowerment?”
What should an SM’s agenda be like?
as good as empty, except for daily scrum and scrum events
How should an SM attend a scrum?
as an observer - listen to what is and isn’t being said
Based on what you observe at the daily scrum, what do you do next as an SM?
coaching, consulting, teaching, facilitating, mentoring, managing, problem-solving, conflict navigatingor… just sitting with the team, listening, and watching the team
What is the biggest pitfall for a SM?
being too busy and not noticing what is really going on
