The Scrum Framework for Scrum Masters – Part 2
Ceremonies
The single work stream Scrum Master facilitates and guides the Scrum team to ensure that each of the ceremonies is completed within the time-boxed delivery schedule that the team establishes. Each of the ceremonies adds value for the inspect and adapt principle of Agile scrum to continuously improve the delivery of required features. Larger Agile Scrum initiatives include additional ceremonies designed to enhance collaboration across the program or portfolio.
The additional value added ceremonies for larger programs are:
● A scrum of Scrums ceremonies facilitated by the Chief Scrum Master
● A separate sprint facilitated by the Scrum Masters for coordinated release management
● Coordinated risk management ceremonies to address in-depth risks that may create program tension and
● Coordination of product features among the product owners, Chief Product Owner and Chief Scrum Master.
These ceremonies are not time-boxed activities and should be used as working sessions. The Chief Scrum Master continues to facilitate and validate that Agile Scrum values and principles are used. The Chief Scrum Master is also a leader in organizing the teams and keeping the work streams focused on the Definition of Done (DoD) to meet the larger goals of the sponsoring organization.
Team Structure and Roles
Single Agile scrum teams and larger program and portfolio teams display the greatest differences through the structure of the teams and the roles that are required for success.
Team Structure and Roles
Agile Scrum engages the following roles officially:
● Product Owner
● Scrum Master
● Development Team Members.
The 3 mandatory roles are core to the success of the project. There may be non-core roles as defined by an organization. It is important to not blur the lines of responsibility and negatively impact the effectiveness of the team members.
The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the activities of the scrum team, working with team members to validate user stories and deliverables and removes any impediments that could negatively affect the work of the Scrum team. The Scrum Master will also teach Agile scrum framework and continue an iterative process of improvement when required.
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Larger program initiatives will add additional roles. The most common roles that are added are the Chief Product Owner and Chief Scrum Master. Additional product owners and scrum masters are generally included in large programs. These individuals are assigned to specific work streams. In some programs. Scrum teams may be defined by specialized skills. The scrum master facilitating the respective team may also require specialized skills or domain knowledge.
Team Structure and Roles
A Chief Scrum Master will not only facilitate, teach, and remove impediments at the larger program level but, will also coordinate the efforts of all scrum masters. The Scrum of Scrum ceremonies is the most direct ceremony where this is accomplished. A strong Chief Scrum Master will also be an active communicator seeking out possible risks –technical, process, personnel and changing business priorities. While this role does not manage the people or changes required, the Chief Scrum Master will exhibit the spirit of inspecting and adapting to support the vision of the stakeholder.
The Agile Scrum framework is useful for projects of varying sizes. The focus that a scrum master has with each size of the initiative will vary according to the application of principles, ceremonies utilized and the structure and roles of team members.