Project Manager or Scrum Master? How to understand the differences Keith Richards www.agilekrc.com

Presentation Structure The webinar is being recorded. The slides are available on our website. Introductions Establishing some basics Three typical scenarios The difficulty with mapping the roles Three options to look at Recap Further information Close and questions.

Introductions Chief Executive of agileKRC agileKRC is a pioneering company at the forefront of agile thinking Specialising in all things agile (PRINCE2 Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Lean Startup, DSDM, AgilePM, everything!) Training, Consultancy, Coaching and Delivery Lead author for the NEW PRINCE2 Agile product from AXELOS 20 years of experience with agile Detailed knowledge of PRINCE2 with agile and the DSDM Framework IAF Accredited / APMG Certified Facilitator Author of ‘Agile Project Management’ (TSO) Voted ‘Most Valuable Agile Player’ UK Agile Awards.

Roles and Responsibilities Why do we need them? A common reason for failures when poorly defined Not the same as job titles or job descriptions.

Do we have a problem here? Why do this webinar? Am I just looking for a problem that is not there? Very common question - very understandably (see later) Frequently seeing errors here We could all do with getting on the same page Well at least a page you are comfortable with.

Let’s start at the very beginning A very good place to start We need to get clear on what Scrum is. What it really is, and not ‘ScrumBut’ We need to get clear on work context/environments.

What is in Scrum? A framework to manage product development 3 roles: Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team 5 events/ceremonies (e.g. The Sprint) 3 artefacts (e.g. Product Backlog) Ideally one team, one product, one PO, one room!

What is NOT in Scrum? Sprint Zero, Discovery Scrum of scrums PM role, PMO role A business case The ability to run a project In isolation you cannot run a project with Scrum Be careful with ScrumBut – it is not Scrum.

Different contexts, therefore different scenarios Project Environment Product Environment Strategic Vision Project Governance Project Management Projects Complicated Unique Temporary Needs to be managed BAU Routine Enhancements Simple

Scenario 1 – BAU (‘Business as Usual’) No Project Manager The Scrum Master is the SM – end of story Take care with ‘Epics’. Structure for maintaining a product with Scrum TEAM SM PO

Scenario 2 – Single-team Project You need a Project Manager Avoid a redundant relationship No need for a ‘one-to-one’ (PM to SM) The PM is in effect managing the Team This may be the SM, but may be not. SPON SM/ PM PO TEAM Structure for managing a project with a single Scrum team

Scenario 3 – Multi-team Project SPON You need a PM ‘above’ the delivery level The teams will be managed by ‘Team Managers’ who are possibly the Scrum Masters? PM TEAM SM PO X TEAM SM PO Y TEAM SM PO Z Structure for managing a project with Scrum teams

Now for the difficult bit! In theory, Scrum teams do not need ‘managing’ as they ‘manage their own work’ …all they need is a ‘coach’ …but if it is a project, this causes friction e.g. ideally, the Project Manager needs a ‘single point of contact’ (or SPOC) Eeeek! So what do we do here? Well, we tread very carefully …very carefully indeed. SM PO TEAM

…but it gets worse! Project Management ‘basics’ want a SPOC and they want a team managed and in control. These words don’t sit well with many in the agile community Some of the tension lies with Servant Leadership Self-organisation

My take on these two Go 80% on Servant Leadership Go 100% on self-organistaion Go 0% on self-direction

Servant Leadership – some words of caution A lot of the emphasis seems to be on ‘Servant’ When a team succeeds it is happy to share the success …are they equally happy to take responsibility for failure? If you are part of a bigger picture – “who’s in charge”? Where does ‘the buck stop’? Who is accountable? Could you win a World Cup this way? Rory Mackenzie (www.rorymackenzie.co.uk).

Self-organisation? Yes! Let the team work out how to get from A to B But they need end up at B! Trust and empowerment are essential…. …but we need to end up at B! Self-direction? No. …btw this is called ‘Anarchy’ Self-managing? …is what exactly?

How to solve it? (3 options) (A). The default is to have a SPOC in the team. Typically, this is the Scrum Master acting as Team Manager In ‘Scenario 2’ they are therefore the Project Manager (B). If the Scrum team performs well it may be best to avoid using the label of Team Manager, but identify a SPOC (probably the Scrum Master but not necessarily) (C). If you do meet a very pure Scrum team then you may need to compromise and ‘create’ a SPOC from more than one person (e.g. PO and SM)

A quick word on Kanban There are no roles in Kanban In scenario 1 – no need for a PM. Kanban is strong here If using Kanban on a project it needs to fit inside the timeboxes If you are using Kanban with Scrum – you have probably evolved Scrum…but it isn’t Scrum anymore!

To recap Be clear on what Scrum is and what it is not Be clear on whether to not you are in a project context Be clear on the scenario – is it 1, 2 or 3? Be clear on how you create a SPOC inside the team – is it option A, B or C? …and be careful how you do this as some tact may be required 

This is just a view Food for thought Feel free to ignore …it is based on a lot of experience …and learning from failures and very big failures too Be agile, not fragile!

Further Information / Next Steps Keith is teaching the PRINCE2 Agile course in London on Dec 7th, 2016. Next AgilePM course is on January 23rd, 2017 (Dec 5th course is full). agileKRC help organisations with their transition to Agile. agileKRC offers a variety of agile services, including consultancy, training, coaching and recruitment. Public courses in PRINCE2 Agile, AgilePM, Agile PgM, AgileBA, Scrum, SAFe, Kanban. https://agilekrc.com/public-training-course Find us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube @agilekrc Read Keith’s BLOG at: https://agilekrc.com/blog Lots of free RESOURCES at: https://agilekrc.com/resources

Project Manager or Scrum Master? (…or Team Manager!) Any questions? k.richards@agilekrc.com www.agilekrc.com