Do you have a Scrum Master or a Ring Master?
According to Scrum Guide 2020, the Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization. The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team’s effectiveness. They do this by enabling the Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework. Scrum Masters are true leaders who serve the Scrum Team and the larger organization.
In my opinion, Scrum Master is an integral part of the Scrum Framework. When it comes to being cause of removing the impediments, we can't think of anyone other than Scrum Master itself. However, due to any reason i.e. known or unknown Scrum Master becomes nightmare for the team. This leads to further serious issues such as Scrum team reluctant to reach Scrum Master for their impediments, creation of new hierarchy in Scrum Team and the worse part is absence of Scrum Values i.e. commitment, focus, openness, respect and courage.
Below are the Signs of having a Ring Master in your Team:
1. Ring Master is all about giving orders, will tell you to work on this, no data backed discussions, absence of ideas to improve as an individual or Scrum Team. He won't listen to you but simply come up with ideas without letting you know why are we doing this and what is Scrum Team's opinion about it. In a worse case, you will get to know about the newly implemented process when you bypassed that already. This leads to even more toxic environment and can lead to scrum team not willing to put efforts and negative mindset within the team.
2. Ring Master thinks about solving the problem not becoming cause of removing the impediments. I am not surprised if you are confused here, yes these are two different things. According to Scrum Guide 2020, Scrum Master is the cause of removing the impediments but not directly involved in removing all the impediments.
3. Ring Master is ideally technically strong in the same technology that scrum team is working upon. Now, you must be thinking that what is wrong with having sounded technical background. I mean no disrespect to technical sound Scrum Masters. However, it has been found in certain situations that when a Scrum Master is familiar and strong enough to solve your problem. It is highly likely that, one might be interested directly to get involved in removing the impediments which normally becomes a bottleneck as there is only one Scrum Master and like we discussed earlier a Scrum Master's job is not to be involved in removing the impediments but to be cause of removing the impediments.
Furthermore, Ring Master will jump into your code, will tell you to do something in your code which you might not be interested in or not finding useful enough, can ask you to lower/increase your estimated time for task. Ideally, all these activities will become a roadblock for a team to become self sufficient and independent.
4. Ring Master's mindset is to manage the scrum team. One who is always rejecting your leave request, cussing about your work timings and monitoring the number of breaks you took. Industry has seen many so called Scrum Masters who are coming to you and talking about your breaks, telling you to manage your office timings even though the Sprint Goal is being achieved without any delay. Don't get surprised if you get Facebook friend request when you have called in sick. It's not Scrum Master's job to let the team know what to do and when to do it. Any such character is terrible for scrum team.
What is your opinion on it. Please write back to [email protected]