The Product Owner and Scrum Master are the positions that immediately come to mind when discussing a Scrum team. In a Scrum project, these are essential jobs that complement one another and the development team. For the team to succeed, the Scrum Master assists the Product Owner in several ways.
This article clarifies the Scrum Master’s responsibilities and the benefits they bring to the business, the product owner, and the development team.
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Who is the Scrum Master?
The team member managing the process alone is known as the scrum master. They do not participate in decision-making but rather serve as a compass to lead the team through the scrum process using their knowledge and skills.
The Scrum framework includes the function of the scrum master. Initially, the name was meant to denote a Scrum specialist who could also serve as a coach for others. Typically, the position has no absolute authority. This position requires its occupant to lead from a position of authority and frequently adopt a servant leadership style.
There are numerous Agile frameworks, and Scrum is a well-liked choice for projects that move quickly. The Scrum Master’s competence determines the process’s outcomes, which depend on the methodology’s high degree of collaboration and requirement for effective processes.
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Who is the Product Owner?
A Scrum team member in charge of the project’s output is called a product owner. By overseeing and improving the product backlog, the product owner aims to maximize a product’s value. They collaborate with stakeholders and end users to envision the project’s eventual direction, frequently using early user interaction studies and A/B testing.
Product owners must understand all sorts of feedback since they provide information about how customers engage with the product and the features they value the most. The product owner then tries to optimize the product’s value by contrasting that data with the corporate objectives.
Differences between SM & PO
Many of the same soft skills are shared by the Scrum Master and the Product Owner, but they are used in distinct ways that complement one another and provide the team with extra assistance.
| Scrum Master | Product Owner | |
| Scrum Knowledge | Extensive Scrum knowledge and experience are necessary because the Scrum Master coaches the team on how to apply Scrum and make it successful. | Although it’s not the most crucial skill, the Product Owner must grasp Scrum to play their part in the Scrum team. |
| Communication Skills | A large portion of a Scrum Master’s daily tasks entails communicating with individuals, guiding them in disseminating information, and handling team conflicts. This necessitates patient and empathic communication. | Product owners must possess the communication skills necessary to settle disputes, gain the confidence of stakeholders, and persuade them. Product Owners must be able to explain the product vision to the developers on the Scrum team. |
| Servant leadership and Strategic leadership | The leadership style of the Scrum Master is focused on devoting time to others and is accessible for the team’s good.
In contrast to conventional top-down leadership, a servant leader emphasizes mentality, team well-being, and other people’s empowerment. |
The Product Owner establishes the strategic goals that the team must accomplish. Instead of using the people-first approach to leadership, they steer the team the right way. |
| Transformation Skills & Prioritization Skills | Scrum Masters must be able to assist teams in moving away from the familiar and comfortable.
Additionally, they must be able to use their transformational skills across the entire organization. |
The product backlog should be arranged and prioritized by the product owners. To clearly prioritize what gets constructed next, they must be able to select from a variety of excellent possibilities (or conflicting requests) using a defined prioritization approach. |
How does Scrum Master helps Product Owners?
The Scrum Master should work closely with the product owner in the following areas to assist the team in understanding essential goals.
Help in explaining important goals.
The development team’s comprehension of the product owner’s vision and the development team’s knowledge of the vision may frequently be at odds. By meticulously outlining the project’s vision and objective for the development team, the Scrum Master assists the Product Owner.
Backlog management
One of the essential services provided by the Scrum Master to the Product Owner is this one. The product owner is responsible for developing and maintaining the product backlog, but the scrum master makes every effort to keep it organized and current.
The development team must adhere to a prioritized list of items called the product backlog. The most crucial aspects of the product will be developed and delivered to the customer if the steps are completed in this order.
Product Planning When Required
The Scrum Master supports product planning in a test-and-learn setting. A working and improving environment that is empirically driven by experiments and experience. The Scrum Master directs the product owner and the team in planning and developing by reflecting on previous experiences and projects.
The Scrum Master can assist the Product Owner in carrying out the plan and backlog more successfully by sharing lessons learned and insights gained from prior experiences.
Final Word
It’s simple to confuse the roles of product owner and scrum master. Especially if you’re starting your Agile implementation after leaving a typical waterfall management environment. Focus is the crucial distinction between a Scrum Master and a Product Owner. The work process is the Scrum Master’s primary concern. They are educating, improving, and sporadically serving as a facilitator.
