What are the Scrum roles in Agile working?

Working with Scrum is for organizations that are constantly moving to better connect with customers. A growing number of organizations are alert to constantly changing needs and agile markets. To retain customers, the way they are organized must change. Agile team work is part of the solution to respond (even) better to changing ideas and needs.

Scrum roles

While working Agile, you will have to deal with new roles. Often an Agile team struggles with clarity in Scrum roles. Traditional roles change and this can sometimes be difficult for people. The Scrum framework has 3 basic roles: the Scrum Master, the Product Owner and the Developers. Sometimes there is also an Agile Coach, sometimes called a Scrum coach, who helps novice teams apply working with Scrum principles.

Scrum Master

The Scrum Master is the process facilitator. He or she ensures that Scrum is applied correctly and that obstacles are removed.

What is also important is that the energy remains high and the Scrum Master keeps everyone on their toes. You are the Product Owner’s sparring partner.

Develop the team and teach them self-organization;
Help the Product Owner set sprint goals and roadmap;
Monitor the Scrum process and make adjustments as needed;

but also…

Facilitate when necessary in all practical matters;
Help management arrange preconditions;
Carry responsibility for the quality of the process, not the content.

Product Owner

The Product Owner role is responsible for the vision of the product. You set the ambitions, deadlines and budgets. Give direction to the team and make sure you always have a picture of the intended outcome.

The Product Owner collects stakeholder requirements and is therefore the link between the Scrum team and the customers and/or stakeholders. He or she is present at sprint planning, reviews and often at stand-up meetings. The Product Owner is not a project manager as we know it from the ‘old’ days. The team is self-organizing and responsible for delivering products. What needs to be accomplished is stated in the sprint planning.

Product Visionary;
Mandate to make independent decisions;
Translator of customer and/or stakeholder needs and requirements;
Makes time to regularly join team meetings;
Works equally with team members.

Developers

Developers build the product. The term developers should be understood broadly: everyone who helps build the product is called a developer, a developer. Often the team of Developers consists of 3 to 9 team members. A larger team is usually less efficient. It is best if the team members can work on the product at the same time. This is good for productivity and focus.

Three to nine men;
Available one day or more per week;
Consisting of a mix of all kinds of disciplines.

Agile Coach

In addition to the Scrum roles, we often see an Agile Coach. An Agile Coach is a person who helps teams adopt Agile. Working Agile requires a change in behavior and that is not accomplished overnight. The Agile Coach spends time with the team and helps them become more aware of how Agile helps the team move forward. This is how you achieve better results.

The Agile Coach, also sometimes called a Scrum coach, is described from three perspectives: individuals, teams and organization. Individual coaching primarily has a focus on behavior and mindset. Team coaching pays attention to constant improvement of the team. Organizational coaching focuses on the environment of the Scrum Team.