For those who are approaching an Agile environment for the first time, the role of “Scrum Master” and the role of “Project Manager” could appear very similar. However, that is not the case. The Scrum Master and the Project Manager are two different professional figures, in this blog we will analyse both in order to understand all the peculiarities of these professionals.
Project Manager: Responsibilities
The Project Manager is first of all a leader and owns the responsibility of reaching the Project goals by coordinating business and technical delivery aspects of the projects throughout its duration and providing management direction and coordination.
Scrum Master: Responsibilities
The Scrum Master is a Servant-Leader for the Scrum Team. This Scrum professional helps everyone to understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values in and outside the Scrum Team. A Scrum Master is more like a coach than a manager in fact, a Scrum Master:
- Does not manage the team but is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum and the Agile principles
- Supports the Product Owner
- Is responsible for Scrum processes and their correct implementation inside the company. The Scrum Master is devoted to maximising the value created by the Scrum Team
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Main Differences
The Project Manager manages all the planning for the Project execution. The Scrum Master on the other hand supports the Scrum Team by working side by side with its members. The Scrum Master also verifies that the Agile principles are implemented correctly.
The Scrum Master, contrarily to the Project Manager, does not assign tasks to the team members. The Scrum Master is a process facilitator by leading the team to achieve an efficient self-management and self-organisation.
The self-organisation is a core principle of the Scrum Team: the Scrum Team is not managed by a hierarchical structure but every member knows what to do and how to do it, no external direction is involved.
The activities of a Scrum Master change on a daily basis depending on the needs of the team. The Scrum Master has the responsibility of the correct functioning of the team by protecting it from external dangers. The Scrum Master is a fundamental role because it supports the team towards Project success.
The main focus of a Project Manager is on the overall project while the Scrum Master focuses on the team and its team members. The aim of the Project Manager is to ensure the success of the Project whereas the scope of the Scrum Master is the success of the Team.
The Project Manager in an Agile environment: The PM and the Scrum Team
When an organisation switches from traditional to Agile methods, the Project Manager might feel uncomfortable with the Agile processes. This is due to the differences in the functioning between an Agile self-organised and a traditional, externally managed team.
In an Agile project, the responsibilities that a Project Manager has in a traditional project are shared among several figures:
- Product Owner
- Scrum Master
- Development Team
Thus, the Project Manager has to delegate the detailed planning to the Scrum Teams. The relationship between the Project Manager and the Development Team is less structured: the Project Manager will not constantly check on the team performance, they will instead verify that the teams work in the right context.
The Project Manager has to collaborate with the Development Teams, offering guidance and helping handle issues. The responsibility of a Project Manager is to ensure that the Development Team understands the objectives agreed at the beginning of a timebox. They are also responsible for the on-time delivery.
Conclusions
The Project Manager and the Scrum Master can coexist but they are two distinguished professionals. Thinking that the Project Manager should become a Scrum Master is a mistake.
Several Project Managers are unable to fit the Scrum Master role perfectly. This is because they are likely to enact the “command and control” style within the Scrum Team. This is not the aim.
A successful Scrum Master is a professional that is passionate about Agile. They want to share their knowledge through the Servant Leadership, disregarding the technical or managerial background one could have.
If you are interested in learning more, read our blog “What is a Scrum Master: Role and Responsibilities” and “The Role of the Project Manager”!
QRP International is an ATO (Authorised Training Partner) for Scrum Courses and several Project Management methodologies, including PRINCE2, AgilePM, PRINCE2 Agile, PMP and many more. Check our website or contact us!
