Grow your own scrum master: part two

After six months, what does our grown your own scrum master programme look like? What have we learned? What we would do differently? And most importantly, what do our two newest members of the Scrum Master chapter have to say about it all?

Six months ago, we created what I believe was a New Zealand first - a 'grow your own scrum master' programme, designed to take people who had an interest in the role, but no real experience, and wanted to move into working as a scrum master. As with many positions, it's often about experience over ability, and it's hard to get a foot in the door without that. Our aim was to find the brightest and best folk out there, and give them that.

We certainly succeeded in finding what we believe are the best. For the last six months, Zara and Felix have been embedded in our squads and processes, learning how we work, what the role entails, and what it means for them to be a scrum master, both at Genesis and the wider community.

To facilitate this, we've given them a taste of what each of our scrum masters does within Genesis, to help see the varied nuances of the role, from pure software development using scrum, to more fluid product marketing teams using a mixture of methods to deliver, through to our centres of excellence, who are just starting in being supported in adaptive ways of working. By giving them this holistic view of how the role works, and the different personalities supporting it, we hope we've provided a full overview of what they've signed up for.

Alongside this, both have become certified scrum masters, and have picked up various other parts of the agile chapter responsibilities, such as facilitating meta-scrums, running workshops, and being involved in identifying and helping remove organisational impediments. Zara has recently been a product owner for some of our chapter work, and Felix has picked up the role of the tribe leadership scrum master. In addition, they've both spent time with other organisations who use similar ways of working, helping them to see beyond the role in a single organisation.

Speaking to all involved, from other scrum masters through to those they'll be helping to support on a day to day basis, the upshot is that this has been a roaring success, and that we've gained two great new recruits. But more than that, we've got a different perspective on the world - from personal interactions with both, I can say I've been challenged to look at things from a different perspective, and have benefited from the different mindset they've brought to the role.

Here's what Zara and Felix have to say about their experiences, and what we could do differently next time. It's Genesis's hope to continue this programme, hopefully see it extended to other roles, and even beyond Genesis as an organisation, helping the wider New Zealand market to get the best people into the right roles.

ZARA

It is difficult to sum up the past 6 months but overall, it has encompassed a significant amount of career and personal development; and I am grateful to say I chose to listen to my gut and try something new. After moving across 15 squads and 3 organisations, getting involved in different agile communities, and making a lot of new friends, my adaptability and understanding for others was thoroughly practiced, as well as challenged. However, having a team of mentors, where I was able to question my thinking and speak openly made it a lot easier. I have also appreciated being in a role where it is encouraged to get involved and ask questions, allowing me to exercise my curiosity to continuously connect the dots between business and people.

As Matt mentioned, there was a great amount of exposure to different areas of the business as well as flexibility to where I saw it was most valuable to spend my time. In terms of what could be done differently? It’s hard to say, but in the name of continuous improvement… I would suggest creating a clear development framework. There is a balance between letting a scrum master's path on the programme evolve organically as individuals have different strengths and areas of improvement. Establishing milestones throughout the six months could ensure the critical skills and knowledge is developed at the right pace. And for other organisations looking to roll out a similar programme, I encourage you to broaden your view on the ideal candidate.

Beyond previous experience and qualifications people also hold different types of skills and perspectives, which can offer new value and ideas to a business. With younger generations completing a tertiary qualification and still unsure on their path ahead - these programmes can really open up doors to the right people.

FELIX

It is fair to say that Genesis has delivered on their promise of providing us with the training and experience to work as Delivery coaches. Looking back, the last 6 months have been both insightful and challenging. I started at Genesis in January 2021 with no practical experience in agile. Throughout our journey we shadowed delivery coaches, observed the tribe leadership team identify and resolve organisational impediments, and received opportunities to contribute to agile projects across the business. We were also fortunate enough to partake in secondments to Southern Cross and Gentrack, which presented similar opportunities and experiences.?

Not only did I learn how to advise teams in the agile principles and frameworks, I also gained valuable insights from the combined experience of the agile professionals at Genesis, Southern Cross and Gentrack. My facilitation and leadership skills have vastly improved, I’ve gained a basic understanding of software development and completed my Professional Scrum Master 1 course. I also received the opportunity to take on the role of scrum master for our agile tribe leadership team and was able to extend my understanding of the organisations ways of working and its challenges.??

I now look forward to applying my experience and what I've learned to my new role as a Delivery Coach. The immense support we received from the people at Genesis, Gentrack and Southern Cross was what made the programme so efficient. I would like to thank you for the patience, time and knowledge you invested in us.?