Say it like this
- The scrum master facilitated our retrospective yesterday.
- Our scrum master is great at removing blockers for the team.
- The scrum master ensures we follow our Scrum process.
Use it at work
Roles
- The scrum master runs our retro.
- Who's the scrum master for this team?
Asking for help
- Can the scrum master help remove this blocker?
- Our scrum master protects us from extra work.
Career
- I'm moving from developer to scrum master.
- Is the scrum master full-time on this team?
Don't say this
Scrum master is a noun role, not a verb. You cannot use it as an action word.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| scrum master | Coaches the team and removes blockers | SM | Scrum events |
| product owner | Owns backlog and priorities | PO | Every sprint |
| project manager | Manages timelines and scope | PM | Projects |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You want to say someone recently got the scrum master job. Which sounds most natural?
2. Our _______ scheduled a team retrospective to discuss what we learned this sprint.
3. Which sentence uses scrum master incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this to use the term scrum master naturally: 'We have someone on our team who helps us run our meetings and removes problems that stop our work.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"The scrum master facilitated our retrospective yesterday."
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More about scrum master
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"Our scrum master mentioned that we need to reduce scope to finish the sprint on time."
- in a sprint planning meeting
"The scrum master helps us estimate story points and plan our capacity for the next two weeks."
- in a team retrospective
"The scrum master created a safe space for the team to discuss what went well and what we can improve."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Scrum master is a specific role title, not a verb or action. Do not use it to mean managing or controlling something generally.
- ✕Our scrum master makes all the decisions for the team.✓Our scrum master facilitates discussions so the team can make decisions together.
A scrum master is not a decision-maker or manager. They are a servant-leader who enables the team.
- ✕I was promoted to scrum master because I am the best coder.✓I became a scrum master because I have strong leadership and coaching skills.
The scrum master role requires facilitation and people skills, not necessarily technical expertise.
Other forms(3)
- scrum master noun
"She has been our scrum master for six months."
- scrum masters noun (plural)
"We hired two new scrum masters to support our growing engineering teams."
- scrum master (used attributively) adjective
"The scrum master role requires excellent communication skills."
Often used with(4)
- certified scrum master · A scrum master who has completed official training and earned CSM certification.
- hire a scrum master · To recruit someone for the scrum master position on a team.
- scrum master removes blockers · One of the primary responsibilities of a scrum master.
- scrum master facilitates · Common verb phrase describing what scrum masters do in meetings and ceremonies.
Similar words(3)
- agile coach · Broader role that may coach multiple teams; scrum master is more specific to one Scrum team.
- team facilitator · More general term; scrum master has specific Agile and Scrum methodology responsibilities.
- servant leader · Describes the philosophy behind the scrum master role rather than the specific title.
Opposites(2)
- traditional project manager
- command-and-control manager
Questions(5)
- What is the main responsibility of a scrum master?
- The main responsibility is to help the team succeed by removing obstacles, facilitating Agile ceremonies (standups, planning, retrospectives), and coaching the team on Scrum practices. A scrum master is a servant-leader, not a manager who directs work.
- How is a scrum master different from a project manager?
- A project manager typically directs work, assigns tasks, and controls outcomes. A scrum master facilitates the team to self-organize, removes blockers, and focuses on continuous improvement. The scrum master does not make decisions for the team.
- Do you need to be a good programmer to be a scrum master?
- No. While technical understanding helps, the scrum master role is primarily about facilitation, coaching, and people skills. Your ability to communicate, listen, and help teams improve is more important than coding ability.
- What does CSM mean in relation to scrum master?
- CSM stands for Certified Scrum Master. It is an official certification earned by completing Scrum Master training and passing an exam. Many companies prefer or require scrum masters to have this certification.
- How do you use scrum master in a sentence at work?
- Use it as a noun to refer to the role or person: 'Our scrum master will facilitate the meeting.' You can also use it attributively: 'The scrum master responsibilities include removing blockers.' Do not use it as a verb.
