What is a Scrum Master?

The Scrum Master is a coach who supports teams throughout sprints. Unlike the product manager, who is a project lead, the Scrum Master ensures that the Scrum methodology runs smoothly.

What is the Scrum methodology?

Scrum is a framework for the development, delivery, and maintenance of complex products. It is simple to understand but quite difficult to master. It rests on three pillars:

• Transparency: every team member has access to project information, and the language must be understandable by all.
• Inspection: a step to track project progress against a sprint goal. A sprint is a period during which the people in charge of the project must build a specific element of the deliverable before review. A sprint typically lasts two weeks and can extend up to a month.
• Adaptation: an adjustment of the deliverable when it has drifted outside acceptable limits.

Which companies hire Scrum Masters?

Companies that want to organize their project management following the Scrum methodology, gaining flexibility throughout the project via an agile approach and an evolving organization.

Why do companies need this role?

Although agility may seem simple to put in place at a company, the Scrum methodology requires a certain expertise and rigor, and it is easy to drift away under each individual's and the company's constraints if you are not careful to stay on track. Hiring a Scrum Master means ensuring proper application of the methodology and continuous training of every project member.

What happens if the company can't hire a Scrum Master?

If the Product Owner and their agile methods allow them to deliver a functional product very quickly and evolve it with regular value delivery, then the Scrum Master is in a way the guardian of that methodology's quality at every project stage and with every project member.

Without this profile, it is easy to deviate from the methodology and lose its benefits — even turning them into constraints and obstacles to the project's smooth running.

Who does this profile work with inside the company?

Product Owner: they work together, hand in hand throughout the project. The Scrum Master is notably there to back up and help the Product Owner with their responsibilities.

All internal project stakeholders: they train, coach, and ensure understanding and adoption of the methods.

What is their role in the team?

They play a coaching role with each project team. They ensure everyone's involvement and support throughout the project's sprints, making sure the Scrum methodology concepts are properly applied. In collaboration with the product owner, they organize and facilitate sprint ceremonies such as sprint planning, dailies, and reviews.

What technical problems do they solve?

Not being a technical profile but rather a key player on a technical project, they don't solve technical problems but instead operate alongside each project stage.

What are a Scrum Master's soft skills?

To become a great Scrum Master, certain qualities are essential:

• Knowing how to teach and coach teams
• Strong oral skills and good communication
• Knowing how to make actions/problems simple and easy to solve
• Leadership
• Problem-solving skills
• Empathy

What technologies do they use?

In the same vein, no technologies used but rather methods:

• Scrum, of course
• Mastery of agile methods
• Project management
• Team management
• Understanding of product management

What training is needed to become a Scrum Master?

To become a Scrum Master, you can study at a computer engineering school or follow training in the Scrum methodology.

What is the salary of a Scrum Master?

A junior Scrum Master can earn between 35 and 45K€/year out of school. As a mid-level, they can earn between 40 and 52K€/year. As for the senior Scrum Master, they earn between 48 and 65K€/year.

How can a Scrum Master's career evolve?

After several years of experience as a Scrum Master, you can aim to become a Product Manager (see the job profile here) or a Scrum Methodology Trainer.