Project Manager as Scrum Master

Kiran Kumar
3 min readMay 21, 2023

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You are the Scrum Master of a successful Scrum Team. Rana Naidu, a Project Manager, was asked by the organization to take up the Scrum Master role for a new project. What advice would you give to Rana Naidu?

1)Scrum Master should monitor the Developers’ work on daily basis

2)Scrum Master role is same as a Project Manager

3)Scrum Master should coach the team to be self-driven rather than being

controlled

4)Scrum Master should a leader and not a manager

Explanation :

Scrum Master should give independence to team and teach them to be selfmanaging.He/she should follow leadership methods rather than management methods.

If Rana Naidu, a Project Manager, is transitioning into the role of a Scrum Master for a new project, here are some advice and recommendations:

1. Embrace the Scrum Master mindset: Help Rana understand that the Scrum Master role is different from that of a Project Manager. It’s crucial to embrace the servant-leader mindset, focusing on facilitating the team’s self-organization and enabling them to deliver value rather than directing or controlling the project.

2. Understand Scrum principles and practices: Ensure that Rana has a solid understanding of the Scrum framework, its values, roles, events, and artifacts. Familiarize themselves with the Scrum Guide and encourage ongoing learning and improvement in Scrum practices.

3. Build a collaborative team environment: Emphasize the importance of creating a collaborative and high-performing team. Encourage open communication, trust, and mutual respect among team members. Help Rana foster a culture of transparency and encourage everyone to contribute their ideas and expertise.

4. Facilitate Scrum events effectively: Guide Rana in facilitating Scrum events such as Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, and Retrospectives. Ensure that these events are time-boxed, focused, and provide opportunities for the team to inspect and adapt their work.

5. Remove impediments: Help Rana understand the critical role of identifying and removing impediments that hinder the team’s progress. Encourage them to proactively address any obstacles or issues that the team is facing and foster a supportive environment for problem-solving.

6. Coach and mentor the team: Guide Rana in becoming an effective coach and mentor for the team. Help them understand the different learning styles and tailor their approach accordingly. Support the team in continuously improving their skills, knowledge, and collaboration.

7. Foster a culture of continuous improvement: Emphasize the importance of inspecting and adapting the team’s processes and practices. Encourage regular retrospectives to reflect on what went well, what could be improved, and take action on the identified areas of improvement.

8. Collaborate with the Product Owner: Guide Rana in establishing a collaborative relationship with the Product Owner. Help them understand the Product Owner’s responsibilities and assist in maintaining a well-refined product backlog that aligns with the project goals.

9. Seek support from the Scrum community: Encourage Rana to join Scrum Master communities, attend Scrum events or conferences, and engage in discussions with other Scrum Masters. Learning from experienced practitioners can provide valuable insights and support in their role.

10. Lead by example: Remind Rana that being a Scrum Master is not just a job title but a role model for the team. Encourage them to lead by example, demonstrate the Scrum values, and exhibit the behaviors expected from a Scrum Master.

Remember, transitioning from a Project Manager to a Scrum Master requires a shift in mindset and approach. By embracing the principles and values of Scrum, Rana Naidu can effectively support the team in delivering value and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

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Kiran Kumar

Technophile with 10 years experience in IT industry | Java Lead cum Architect