More and more companies are turning to agile methodologies to optimize their work processes and develop quality products or services that meet user expectations. And in this, professional profiles such as the Scrum Master play a fundamental role.

In today’s article we explain what a Scrum Master is, what their functions are and who they usually work with. In addition, we will tell you the characteristics that yes or yes it must have.

What is a Scrum Master?

The Scrum Master (also known as task facilitator) is the person responsible for leading the agile management of those projects that are characterized by being somewhat more complex and that usually have many people involved in their development.

Without going into details now, it could be said that this professional is mainly in charge of organizing the team, acting as a mediator between it and the Product Owner and/or client, and promoting that the work is carried out effectively and thus the final objective is achieved. .

For this to be possible, the Scrum Master is present in the day-to-day of the team and does so as one more member , only providing support, guidance and guidance. He never acts (or, at least, should not act) as a team leader or Project Manager.

Roles of the Scrum Master

Among the main tasks of a Scrum Master, are:

  • Participate in all the phases of the Scrum methodology: from the definition of the project goals and its division into sprints to the final evaluation of the process after the launch of the product, through the identification of the tasks of each sprint and their distribution between the different members of the team, the management of daily follow-up meetings and the resolution of problems.
  • Ensure that the entire team knows and properly applies the principles on which the Scrum methodology is based.
  • Anticipate any problems the team may run into on their way to the end goal.
  • Contribute to the progress of the project by eliminating distractions or impediments that arise and thus facilitating the tasks of the rest of the team members.
  • Be available to the rest of the teammates , explain to them and resolve any doubts they may have about the tasks to be carried out whenever necessary.
  • Lead the daily Scrum meetings . These are daily meetings of about 10-15 minutes and are intended to find out where the sprint or project is.
  • Ensure that the spirits of the team are as high as possible and provide strategies and tools to maintain this motivation.
  • Mediate team conflicts.
  • Protect your team against the requests or demands of other people in the company and, also, those of the client.
  • Act as a spokesperson.

Who does a Scrum Master work with?

The work of a Scrum Master is collaborative and, therefore, it is not surprising that they work side by side with the following profiles or specialists:

Development Team or Squad

It is a group of specialists from different areas (developers, UX/UI , etc.) who have a common goal (the development and presentation of a product) and, to achieve it, what they do is share the responsibilities of the work they carry out. finished.

Usually, it is made up of 5-9 people.

product owner

In addition to knowing the market and having a business vision, it is the voice of the customer and, therefore, is responsible for transmitting their requests and demands.

Another of his responsibilities is to prioritize and set the goals to be achieved, always in mutual agreement with the development team.

Also, it has the ability to make any decision that may affect the product.

This person can be internal or external to the company that makes the product.

Client or Stakeholder

They are the organization or person who is interested in the company’s product or service.

Now that you know what a Scrum Master is, do you want to become one? At Universidad Europea you can train in this booming profession thanks to the Expert in Project Management and Agile Methodologies and the Scrum and Agile Course .

Or, if you prefer, download our free e-book Project Management with Scrum , written by Antonio Alonso, director of the Master in Project Management (in bootcamp format).