Information to the team and stakeholders

The Scrum Master facilitates team meetings on a daily basis to ensure that everyone gets the latest information on the progress of tasks, address potential obstacles and ensure that development is on track. It is his or her responsibility to ensure that the team is able to apply the most appropriate framework for its members.

Implementing agile practices

To increase efficiency, Scrum Masters encourage the use of continuous integration (CI) and automation. With CI tools, developers often integrate pieces of code into a central repository from which automated builds and tests are run in successive iterations. This approach reduces the risk, time and effort associated with traditional development methods. For example, if a bug appears in one build, it can be quickly fixed in the next. Another agile technique supported by Scrum Masters is "pair programming", prevalent in eXtreme Programming, where two developers work together in real time on the same workstation. Overall, these practices reduce development time and improve product design and quality.

Training of team members

The Scrum Master serves as a coach for the development team and the Product Owner. One of his or her most important tasks is to ensure that the team is well trained to understand agile processes, that team members know their role and are committed to deliver results. As a real coach, the Scrum Master ensures that the self-organisation of the teams is as high as possible. He constantly looks for ways to improve team performance and productivity.

Preparing and facilitating ceremonies

The Scrum Master facilitates daily standup meetings, sprint planning events, sprint reviews, etc. In these meetings, organised in fixed time frames, the team plans, monitors progress, evaluates, gives and asks for feedback. It is the Scrum Master's responsibility to ensure that all team members, even those working remotely, can effectively participate in the meetings and are informed of all necessary information.

Support the Product Owner with the Product Backlog

The Product Backlog is a prioritised task list. It is the responsibility of the Product Owner to create and maintain the Product Backlog, which may change continuously based on the current state of the work and development needs. The Scrum Master helps the PO to refine and maintain the backlog.

Removing obstacles

 The Scrum Master helps the team focus on the tasks to be done in each iteration. To do this, it removes any distractions or obstacles that may impede the team's progress. For example, if team members have to attend too many unnecessary meetings, this can hinder work.  

Education on Scrum practices and principles

The Scrum Master is familiar with the most important Scrum practices and processes. He also acts as a mentor to ensure a smooth integration of new employees and team members. The Scrum Master helps newcomers to understand agile principles and supports continuous, sustainable work. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the team follows the predefined Scrum practices and rules while working. He helps the team to strengthen self-organization and maintain focus, which also improves productivity.