Why Do We Need A Scrum Master?

Scrum is a change in approach for organisations that are new to it. It is a change from a predictive approach to working in an empirical way. From a traditional way of developing products to an agile approach. This can be a significant change for organisations who have been working in a more traditional predictive way for some time.

The impact and cost of this change should not be underestimated. People may be comfortable with the status quo and not accept the need to change the approach. People may resist the change and actively work to prevent it. Especially if it impacts their identity, values, beliefs and takes them out of their comfort zone. Change is often necessary, but still difficult.

The Scrum Master is a change agent helping people and the organisation to adopt Scrum and take an empirical approach. They support the adoption and use of Scrum in organisational environments in which it is not yet fully adopted and understood. As this may be a considerable challenge the Scrum Master accountability is necessary to support the change. Having someone assume this accountability will be vital to its successful adoption.

The Scrum Master promotes and supports this change over the long term. They will need a mandate and ongoing support from management and leadership in the organisation if they are to succeed. Patience will be necessary as the change can take a significant amount of time and effort. For many people, it will not be their top priority.

Once Scrum is understood and adopted there will be new challenges to for the Scrum Master to face. Even when things are going well, change can (and will) happen and the organisation may regress to an earlier state. Changes in personnel over time may make this even more likely. This is why the Scrum Master accountability does not go away over time.