Many organizations continue to struggle with grasping the true value of a full-time Scrum Master. The dedicated role of a Scrum Master often faces scrutiny and is not fully understood.
One common argument against having a full-time ScrumMaster is the perception that it's not justified or affordable.
Here is a conversation I had with a hiring manager who was budgeting for roles in his Scrum Team.
Me[Amit]: “Hey Steve!”. “I heard you have decided against hiring a full time Scrum Master for your team?”
Steve: "Exactly! We need to optimize costs and make the most of our resources. Hiring a full-time ScrumMaster seems like an unnecessary expense."
Me: "I completely understand the budget concerns, Steve. However, having a full-time ScrumMaster allows for dedicated focus and expertise, leading to faster resolution of issues and increased team efficiency. The impact on project success and customer satisfaction is remarkable."
Steve: "Hmm, I hadn't considered that perspective. But what about the team's self-organization? Won't a ScrumMaster hinder their autonomy?"
Me: "Great question, Steve! A skilled ScrumMaster empowers teams by coaching and mentoring them in self-organization. They foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing. Ultimately, this strengthens the team's ability to make informed decisions and adapt to change."
Steve: "Amit, I hear your perspective, but I'm curious, do you have any data or evidence to support the value of having a full-time Scrum Master? It would be helpful to see some concrete examples or statistics."
Me: "I'm glad you asked, Steve! Over the years, I've collected data and observed significant improvements in teams that have had the benefit of a dedicated Scrum Master. Let me share some compelling insights with you."
I pull out a few artifacts working with different teams in various organizations and show them to Steve.
Me: "Take a look at this data. Studies like these have consistently shown that teams with a dedicated Scrum Master demonstrate higher productivity and improved delivery quality. They help remove impediments, facilitate collaboration, and ensure everyone is aligned with the Agile principles."
Reference#1: Metric: Team Output (Velocity)
This controlled (POC) study working with a team shows average velocity increased ~20% in about 4 Sprints by transitioning to a full time SM and started to fall down when switched back to a developer playing the role
Reference#2: Metric 2: Number of Defects per Sprint
Another controlled study done over a 4 month period showed average number of defects moved up from 8(S1-3) to 13(S4-6) and then dropped to 8(S7-9) and dropped further to 3(S10-13) and stayed low at 3(S14-16)
Without a full-time Scrum Master(1-6), the team faced challenges in quality control and defect prevention. However, with the involvement of an experienced dedicated Scrum Master, the team raised impediments that helped them receive support in implementing effective quality assurance practices, organizing training sessions, and improving their skills. This resulted in a gradual reduction in the number of defects over time
Metric 3: Project Delivery Time
Initially, without a full-time Scrum Master(Project 1 and 2), the team faced challenges in coordination, communication, and managing dependencies. However, with the introduction of a full-time Scrum Master(Project 3, 4 and 5), they experienced improved collaboration, better communication channels, effective teamwork, trust, and camaraderie. This resulted in shorter project delivery times over time.
Steve: "Well, that's interesting. But can't we assign these responsibilities to someone part-time? Keep that part time role dedicated to playing Scrum Master for an extended time? We have budget constraints, you know."
Me: "By having a full-time ScrumMaster, you're investing in the long-term success of your teams. They become more self-reliant, adaptable, and resilient, which contributes to higher employee satisfaction and retention."
Steve: Deeply thinking….I see and couldn't agree more. We need to break free from the misconception that a full-time ScrumMaster is an unnecessary expense. The benefits they bring to the table far outweigh the costs.
Steve was convinced and invested in long term agility for his teams and organization by hiring most Scrum Masters in full time dedicated capacity. The Scrum Masters were nurtured and empowered to play their roles effectively.
Conclusion: The data clearly demonstrates the positive impact of having a full-time Scrum Master. Although there were initial challenges, the dedicated Scrum Master played a crucial role in improving team velocity, reducing defects, and shortening project delivery times.
The support provided by the Scrum Master, including coaching, training, and facilitating effective collaboration, allowed the team to overcome obstacles and continuously improve.
Investing in a full-time Scrum Master proves to be beneficial for achieving higher productivity, improved quality, and timely project deliveries.
Remember, agile success isn't just about implementing a process; it's about fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning. Invest in full time dedicated Scrum Masters and empower them to unleash their full potential. They will help your teams achieve greatness!
