Yes, in ideal development scrum teams, Scrum Master does not provide a solution but facilitates the discussions towards the solution. Certified Scrum Master is the servant leader in Agile Scrum teams to help achieve their goals. Scrum Master helps improve the business value and assists in the implementation of Scrum both at the team level as well as at the organization level.
Scrum Master
Scrum Master is one of the key roles in the Scrum team who ensures the relationships in the team are smooth for the operation of the Scrum team. Scrum Master definitely teaches, explains, shares experiences, and has a positive outlook toward the implementation of the Scrum. Whenever a difficult situation arises in the team, Scrum Master does the coaching and raises awareness so the team members are able to find the solution themselves. Scrum Master removes any external impediments the team is facing and in certain cases help the team to remove the impediments themselves.
Facilitation is one of the key responsibility of the Scrum Master. They help organize the Scrum events such as Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. Scrum Master works with the Product Owner to ensure the team has everything needed to achieve their goals.
Scaling Scrum
Scrum Master plays a key role in Scaling Scrum at an organization level. Large Scale Scrum is a challenge in the big organizations and coordinating the multiple Scrum teams is needed. Scrum Master helps the team realize the team capacity and backlog refinement. Scrum Master guides the teams in the Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing stages of the Scrum Team.
Scrum Master initially works at the team level to make them self-organizing and high-performing. Next, Scrum Master observes the team from a broader perspective. Next, Scrum Master expands the coaching at an organization level to inculcate a culture change. Working with other Scrum Masters is crucial for a Scrum Masters to understand the best practices.
At times, Scrum Master lets the team fail and understand the situation and adapt in the next Sprint. Even when the team becomes self-organized, the Scrum Master is needed for continuous improvement and performing teams. A Scrum Master is open to experimenting, asking questions, encourage conversations, and finding out better ways to get things done.
Scrum Master can introduce fun games and conduct cupcake get-togethers to encourage conversations. Offering small gifts and appreciating the team on achievements helps in team engagement.
Certification
To get Scrum Master certification, you need to attend a two-day paid workshop by a Certified Scrum Trainer. ( Only about 300 worldwide). After completing the class, you can take the test online from your home or office. The test is a 50 question multiple choice test and you have one hour to complete it. In order to receive the certification, you need to get 74%. You have 90 days to take one more time without paying fees.
The test has most questions from the Agile Manifesto and the Scrum Guide. It is an open book test and hence you can have the material by you for reference during the test. However, the time limit is crucial. Some questions on the Scrum roles may be confusing but it is okay. You have an option to get back to a skipped question if you are unsure. The test is included with the training fees for the first two attempts.
Getting the certification definitely helps boost the resume and understand the Scrum concepts. To maintain the certification, you need to keep earning the educational units. Every organization has a different way of adopting Scrum. Some Scrum Masters might perform dual roles as a developer or a tester. Scrum Masters can work on multiple teams and definitely help in backlog refinement in certain Scrum adaptations. Often developers are frustrated as to why the Scrum Masters are following up outside of the Scrum events. Ideally, Scrum Master is helping change the mindset of the organization to improve the business value.
