Last year, the Scrum Master workforce grew to 70,711 jobs in the United States.
Do you think a career in this rapidly growing field would be a good fit for you? Do you have questions like, “What is a Scrum Master?” or, “What does a Scrum Master do?”
If so, read on to learn 9 key facts everyone ought to know.
Table of Contents
1.What Is Scrum?
Before we explore what a Scrum Master is and what they do, let’s define Scrum.
Scrum is an Agile project management framework. It allows team members to address complex problems and deliver high-quality products productively and creatively.
The Scrum framework was created by two software developers: Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland.
These men developed the framework back in the early-mid 90s. Since then, it’s become a staple in many different business settings, especially among teams that are looking to maximize their productivity and performance.
2.What Is a Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master is someone on an Agile team who manages the Scrum process.
This person focuses on the process and nothing else. They guide the team using their experience and expertise, and they leave the decision-making to someone else.
3.What Does a Scrum Master Do?
The Scrum Master role is an important role on any team, regardless of its size or the type of product its members are creating.
A Scrum Master is responsible for creating an ideal work environment and managing the team’s process. It’s their job to foster an environment where the following things can happen:
- A Product Owner can order the work for a complex problem
- During a Sprint, the Scrum Team can turn a selection of that work into an increment of value
- The Scrum Team and its stakeholders can inspect the results and make adjustments to improve the next Sprint.
Scrum Masters also make sure that this process can be repeated over and over while also making sure that everyone is doing their part.
4.What are the Characteristics of a Good Scrum Master?
Not sure if you would be a good Scrum Master? Here are some characteristics that the best Scrum Masters tend to share:
Agile and Scrum Knowledge
A Scrum Master acts as a coach for their team. If you don’t have extensive knowledge of Agile and Scrum principles, you won’t be able to lead your team and guide them through the process.
Facilitation Skills
Scrum Masters are responsible for leading meetings and checking in with their team members. If you’re not a good public speaker or can’t lead a discussion, you may struggle in this role.
Active Listening Skills
The best Scrum Masters are good listeners. They pay attention when their team members are speaking and they ask leading questions to get more information and learn how to best support each individual.
Servant Leader
Good Scrum Masters embody the “servant leader” role. They care more about helping the team to succeed and produce good work than they care about getting accolades themselves. Their top priority is the team and the clients the team is serving.
5.What Does a Scrum Master Do All Day?
Every Scrum Master does things a bit differently, of course. However, the average day for a typical Scrum Master might look something like this:
- Facilitate the daily standup meeting (a 15-minute meeting that gives everyone a chance to share their progress and address potential issues)
- Help team members maintain their burndown chart
- Set up retrospectives, sprint reviews, and/or sprint planning sessions
- Shield the team from interruptions
- Removing obstacles that could hold the team back
- Walk the product owner through technical user issues
- Encourage collaboration between the product owner and the Scrum team
As you can see, their job is all about supporting the Scrum team so they can do their jobs well.
Scrum Masters aren’t there to steal the glory and show off what they can do. Their job is to help others shine and succeed.
6.Where Can I Learn More About Becoming an Agile Scrum Master?
If you want to learn more about becoming a Scrum Master, there are lots of resources out there that can help. For example, the SAFe Scrum Master course explores the role in great detail.
You can also reach out to Scrum Masters on platforms like LinkedIn to talk to them directly about their jobs. This is a great way to learn from people who are doing this job every day to see if it seems like a good fit for you.
7.What Is the Scrum Master Certification Exam?
If you want to get hired as a Scrum Master, you’ll need to be able to pass the Scrum Master Certification Exam.
This exam features 35 multiple-choice questions, and at least 24 need to be answered correctly. The test covers a variety of topics, including the history of Scrum, the basics of the Scrum process, and the right way to conduct daily Scrum meetings.
The test is open-book and you can check handouts and notes as needed. You must complete it within 90 days of starting.
8.How Much Does a Scrum Master Make?
The average Scrum Master salary in the United States ranges from $70,000 to $100,000 per year. This is a very lucrative position with a lot of room for growth.
9.Is Demand for Scrum Masters Rising?
Speaking of room for growth, demand for Scrum Masters is rising throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
Some experts estimate that demand will grow by 37.9 percent over the next 10 years. If you want to strike while the iron is hot and get in on a fast-growing industry, this is a great one to consider.
Do You Have a Career in Agile Development?
Now that you know more about the agile development process and can answer questions like, “What is a scrum master?” with ease, does this seem like a good career path for you?
If you’re interested in pursuing this line of work, head to the Career Advice section of our site today. It’s full of helpful articles that can point you in the right direction.
