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Writer's pictureashish joshi

Scrum Master vs Project Manager

Updated: Apr 3

You will discover that the project manager fulfils the leadership position by overseeing the planning for the project's execution as you list the differences between the scrum master and the project manager. The Scrum Master assists the team members by closely collaborating with them and ensuring that the Agile principles are followed.

When you switch from a traditional approach (the waterfall model) to Agile, the duties of a project manager are divided among the many team members. The programme manager, product owner, scrum master, and the rest of the team are each given different duties. However, making the transition from waterfall to agile is not simple.



We can argue that a product owner's position is tightly associated with the project manager's role, unlike the scrum master, who has completed scrum master certification. The "product owner" is the person or organisation in a project who bears the greatest responsibility. They have to keep track of the product backlog and make sure the product complies with the demands of the business. The product owner must modify and re-prioritize the current product backlog to meet any changes in the product and move the project forward. The product owner must perform this tiresome chore.

Therefore, the scrum master's responsibility is to oversee the project from all angles and act as a consultant. With the aid of the product backlog, sprint planning, and meetings, the Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner on how to manage teamwork.

The Scrum Master helps the Product Owner manage the team's collaboration, provides team coaching, and makes sure the team is correctly synchronised with the Scrum process.

A scrum master plays the role of both a coach and a facilitator. To become a scrum master, a professional or individual must complete the scrum master certification process. The project manager is in charge of managing the project, the resources, and the scope of the business requirements. He or she also makes decisions. While the Scrum Master is tasked with overseeing one project team, the Project Manager occasionally needs to ensure that the project is in line with the relevant business criteria. The scrum master must also act as a go-between between the project and the client.


Scrum master




Let's examine the distinct differences between a project manager and a scrum master

Goals

Project manager: has established objectives, such as meeting the project's deadline, budget, and scope.

Scrum Master: Ensures that the team members have received the necessary training to implement Agile methods. Additionally, SM coaches the scrum teams and discusses the project's completion schedule.


Quality Control

Project manager: "Quality is important, and the PM is aware of this, but she is unsure of how to accomplish it”. To correct the mistakes, a consultant is typically employed.

Scrum Master: The scrum master ensures quality and is well aware of its significance.


Group Size

Project managers: enjoy expanding things. A large budget and more staff are used by the project manager. They advance to the program manager in this fashion.

Scrum Master: "Always try to reduce the size of items.” No matter the budget, they favor working in small teams.


Position Description

Project manager:

  • Do planning, budget creation, and preparation of relevant papers.

  • To assure a project's scope and direction, the PM must collaborate with higher management.

  • In an emergency, the PM must collaborate with another department as well.

  • Occasionally have to put in their own time or provide the team with instructions to complete a task.

Scrum Master:

  • Removes obstacles and manages the Scrum procedures.

  • Educating a team about to produce successfully

  • Makes the scrum ceremonies easier.

  • Uses the tools to make sure a project is functioning smoothly.

  • Carries out the product backlog tasks in accordance with product owner priority.

  • Resolves team disputes through effective communication.

  • Inspires the team

  • Keeps an eye on the Scrum procedures to maximize efficiency.





The functions and obligations of a Scrum Master:
  • Speedy preparation.

  • The daily Scrum meeting agenda.

  • Responsible for Scrum process management.

  • Assisting the Scrum teams to adhere to Scrum principles.

  • Removing obstacles so the team may concentrate on its work.

  • Helping with the product backlog Working with the product owner to create items for the upcoming sprint.

  • Defending the group against outside distractions.

  • Capturing team dynamics and supporting their improvement.

  • Assists teams in accelerating processes by providing project guidance to the product owner.

  • Tracks the sprint's development

  • Encourages group discussions.

  • Inspires the team.

  • The scrum master serves as the glue that holds the team together.


The functions and obligations of a project manager are:-

  • Describing the team's project scope.

  • Target project planning.

  • Creating the team members' work schedules.

  • Collecting demands.

  • Defining the project's resource requirements.

  • Preparing a project's budget.

  • Ensuring excellence.

  • Reducing the dangers.

  • Keeping track of the plans.

  • Obtaining user opinions.

  • Keeping track of interactions with the client and other stakeholders.

  • Completing the project.

  • Taking care of the financial problems budget.

  • Updating corporate decision-makers on the project's status.

  • Task division.

  • Management of risk.

  • Putting processes first.

  • Putting the project-related features in order.

  • If necessary, coordinate with other teams.





About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.


Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at contact@advanceagilty.com for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.


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