One of the key components of Scrum is the definition of specific accountabilities for team members. Each role in Scrum plays a crucial part in ensuring the team’s and the project’s success.
Accountabilities in Scrum
Scrum thrives on clearly defined accountabilities for its team members. Each accountability plays a crucial part in driving both the team’s success and the project’s overall accomplishment.
The Three Core Accountabilities:
- Product Owner:
- Owns and prioritizes the Product Backlog, a continuously refined list of features, enhancements, and fixes needed to achieve the Product Goal.
- Collaborates closely with stakeholders to ensure the Product Backlog aligns with the product’s vision and goals.
- Ensures the development team understands the requirements of each item in the Product Backlog.
- Developers:
- A self-managing and cross-functional group with all the skills necessary to complete the work required for each Sprint.
- Estimates the effort needed for each Product Backlog item.
- Delivers a functional product increment by the end of each Sprint.
- Scrum Master:
- Champions the effective use of the Scrum framework.
- Facilitates Scrum events like Sprint Planning and Reviews.
- Coaches the team on Scrum practices and collaborates with the Product Owner on efficient Product Backlog management.
- Removes impediments that hinder the team’s progress.
- Ensures the team adheres to Scrum values and principles.
Accountabilities vs. Individuals:
A common misconception is that specific individuals are permanently assigned to each accountability. In other words, the Scrum Master isn’t always the same person, nor are the Developers a fixed group.
Scrum emphasizes self-management. Just like actors in a play, team members can take on multiple accountabilities. For instance, one team member might handle development tasks (Developer) while also facilitating Scrum events (Scrum Master) at certain times. Similarly, the Product Owner responsibility can transition between team members based on the current Product Goal.
While uncommon, it’s possible for a single person to manage both Scrum Master and Developer accountabilities, but ideally not at the same time. Scrum promotes flexibility in assigning accountabilities to best suit the needs of the project and the team’s strengths.