Differences & Similarities between A Scrum Master & A Project Manager
Introduction
The Scrum Master is responsible for assisting individuals in understanding and implementing Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values. The Scrum Master is a servant-leader for the Scrum Team who facilitates collaboration and interaction between the Scrum Team and its environment in order to optimize the value generated by the Scrum Team.
The Project Manager is the single person who is responsible for managing a project on a daily basis. As a result, this position will never be shared. The Project Manager manages the project on behalf of the Project Board and communicates with the Project Board and Project Assurance throughout the project.
Scrum Master & Project Manager Relationship
When moving from a conventional method (Waterfall model) to an Agile approach, the responsibilities of a Project Manager are spread among a range of team members. The Product Owner is a highly accountable entity in a project. They must maintain the product backlog and verify that the product meets the needs of the company. If the product changes, the Product Owner must modify and re-prioritize the current product backlog to accommodate the changes and navigate the project.
As a result, the Scrum Master serves as a consultant, overseeing the project from all angles. The Scrum Master assists the Product Owner with team management, coaching the team, and ensuring that the team is appropriately aligned with the Scrum process. The Scrum Master looks into the Scrum method, ensuring that it is followed correctly and expanding the scope of its advantages throughout the project.
The Difference between Scrum Masters and Project Managers
The following are the primary differences between Scrum Masters and Project Managers:
- Scrum Masters work only on Scrum projects and Scrum teams. Project managers may work on any form of project, including Agile and Waterfall projects.
- While Scrum Masters are concerned with ensuring the success of a project team, project managers are often in charge of the mechanics of making a project work, such as budgeting and risk management.
- The Scrum Master collaborates with the Product Owner and the development team to guarantee that team members may progress with development without barriers and that Scrum practices are followed.
Similarities between Scrum Masters and Project Managers
- Both the Project Manager and the Scrum Master are in charge of coaching both the company and the team. They both contribute to the group's efficiency and effectiveness.
- Both are not responsible for the project's success. If the Scrum approach is utilized, the project owner is responsible for the project, and in a project management context, the obligation falls on the project board or the project executive.
- Assume a project encounters an impediment or blockage, and both assist in problem resolution. However, project managers attempt to tackle the hurdles alone, whereas the SM preferably teaches the company and the team to resolve the issues.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Scrum Master
- Coaching and monitoring the team, as well as ensuring that Scrum rules are followed.
- Communicating the needs of the product owner to the development team.
- Contributing to the team's high-value production.
- Product backlog efficiency and division of techniques.
- Assisting the new employees in adjusting to the Agile environment and Scrum framework.
- Removing bottlenecks and impediments and encouraging team growth.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Project Manager
- Defining the scope of the project for the team
- Creating a work schedule for team members
- Defining the project's resource needs
- Making a budget for a project
- Quality assurance and risk reduction
- Relationship management with the client and stakeholders
Conclusion
Both the Project Manager and the Scrum Master have distinct duties. Choosing between Scrum Master certification and Project Management certification is a difficult decision that requires a thorough assessment of both. The job of a Scrum Master is demonstrated to be a "deciding factor" in the success of projects. Both the Scrum Master and the Project Manager have separate responsibilities. Both require certain skill sets and a proper person to make the task happen.