In this ever-growing world of Information Technology, Project Manager and Scrum Master are two roles that are very important. And somewhat considered to have similar meanings attached to them. While this is not true, these two roles are totally different from one another, having their own roles and responsibilities.
When comparing the roles you will see that Project Manager takes on a leadership role. Thus, organizing the planning process for the project’s execution. The Scrum Master assists the team members by closely collaborating with them. Also, ensuring that they are adhering to the Agile principles.
Who is a Project Manager?
An individual who is responsible for leading the project development team. And ensuring that the team achieves the required goals of the project on time and within budget. They are frequently entrusted with running meetings, making schedules, handling finances, coordinating with stakeholders and the team, and managing risks. An Agile Scrum Project Manager is responsible for each and every task, which leads to the execution . With the required goals of product quality and budget. The Scrum Project Manager schedules meetings create a list of goals. And assigns tasks to team members, and also manage the risks in the development process. Thus, an agile scrum project professional deals with all the changes that are to be made in the project.
Roles Of Project Manager:
Asking probing questions, spotting underlying assumptions, etc are just a few of the abilities that must be possessed.
Scope, timeline, resources, finances, quality, and risks are the crucial aspects that he/she oversees.
Recognizing that risk has a direct impact on the likelihood that a project will succeed. And that this risk should be monitored throughout the life of a project is crucial to their responsibilities. Some of them are listed below:
- Define Project Goals
- Assign Tasks
- Manage Risks
- Manage the Budget
- Identify Resources Needed
- Communicate with stakeholders
- Keep Quality in Check
- Gather Requirements
- Identify the time estimates
Who is Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master is someone who makes sure a project team applies Scrum principles successfully. They can support team members and work out problems as they arise. As well as run team meetings and teach teams best Scrum practices. The Scrum master is frequently known as a “servant leader” because of the crucial supportive function they perform. He helps the Product Owner manage the team’s collaboration. Provides team coaching, and makes sure the team is correctly synchronized with the Scrum process. The Scrum Master oversees the Scrum process, makes sure it is properly applied and broadens its benefits throughout the project. Instead of managing the team that completes the job, the Scrum Master supports the Product Owner. And coaches the team ensuring that Scrum procedures are followed like the Scrum process. Its proper use, and the maximizing of its advantages fall within the purview of the Scrum Master.
Roles Of Scrum Master:
Unlike the role of a project head, the development team and the project are not under the Scrum master’s control. Instead, where it makes sense, a Scrum Master collaborates with the product owner and the Scrum Team to enhance processes. While avoiding chokepoints, a Scrum Master keeps a high-level perspective, assisting teams in understanding organizational and technical interdependence. This fosters an environment of accountability and makes it possible for teams to achieve pressing deadlines. Responsibilities of a Scrum Master include:
- Organize a daily Scrum meeting
- Assist the Product owner
- Lead the Sprint Planning
- Remove any roadblocks in the project
- encourage constant communication
- Monitor the progress of the sprint
- Motivate the team
- Tutor the team with Scrum principles and practices
Project Manager Vs. Scrum Master:
It can be observed that both the roles are quite different from each other. The project manager in a scrum can work on any type of project. He is held responsible for making projects work and achieving the required goals of the projects within time and budget. While a Scrum Master can only work with Scrum Practices and Principles he is more focused on the project team. So that they can be coached and facilitated with resources in order to gain success in the project.
There are some Similarities that are identified between both the roles. Both of them are worried about how the team is doing. And are looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of the team. A project head also works with the team to handle challenges and disagreements. The final decision-making power regarding the requirements for the product does not lie with either job. For success, a Scrum Master and a project lead both require a critical skill set, years of experience, and practice. Both of these positions are difficult and demanding in their respective fields. Both the Scrum Master and the lead of the Project are aware of the challenges of the technology industry.
Apart from these somewhat similarities, there are differences between the one who manages the project and a scrum master. The Scrum Master handles a small scrum team as compared to a project lead. Who deals with a relatively larger number of team members. While a Scrum Master works on one project, a project head works with multiple teams with multiple projects.
Scrum Master plans daily scrum meetings while a project leader schedules these meetings according to the needs. Also, in accordance with the availability of the team. They allocate the team members with their respective tasks and activities. While the Scrum master deals with training and motivating the team members. Lastly, the Scrum Master works in an IT-related industry, but a project lead can work in any kind of industry.
Conclusion
The Project Manager and Scrum Master are two different roles sharing somewhat similarities. While there are major differences. Such as the project lead is a leadership role. While the scrum master’s responsibilities include providing facilities and resources to the Scrum Team.
