The Scrum Master and Product Owner roles are probably known to you if you’ve explored scrum before. But in case you have not, here’s a brief explanation: The Product Owner makes sure the team spends time developing things that add the most value to an organization, while the Scrum Master is in charge of making sure the team adheres to the Scrum framework.
These roles may sound a little bit similar, but in fact, they are completely different. However, sometimes, a single person may try to take up the responsibilities of both of these roles. But, it almost never ends well when a single person carries out the responsibilities of two separate roles.
Now, the question is can a product owner become a Scrum master? Let’s learn more about it in this article.
If you are a product owner looking to become a Scrum Master, then you may also opt for certifications in Scrum Management to further excel in your career. One such is the PSM Certification. You can opt for Professional Scrum Master Certification Training offered by Techcanvass. You get access to industry trainers, online-live sessions, proper course coverage, mock tests, cheat sheets, doubt clearing sessions, among others.
Who Is a Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master is a facilitator, coach, and change agent. Scrum Masters are employed to assist teams in evolving from their current state to one that produces better results. They help people make better decisions by making the effects of decisions visible by highlighting both short- and long-term ramifications.
To assist teams in concentrating on accomplishing their objectives, the scrum master detects and resolves team dysfunctions as well as systemic problems.
Who is a Product Owner?
In Scrum, a product owner is in charge of making sure a project is successful. To optimize the value of the product, the product owner is in charge of maintaining and improving the product backlog. Agile methodologies such as the Scrum framework help teams communicate and self-organize.
The creation of a product backlog and the definition of user stories are the main duties of a product owner. The customer’s main point of contact to identify the product needs for the development team is the product owner.
What are the Roles of a Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master’s job is to guide teams and organizations toward the most effective use of Scrum. Daily tasks for a Scrum Master include some of the following.
- Event, workshop, and meeting facilitation
- Managing Threats and Obstacles
- Educating, Coaching, and Mentoring the Team
- Coordinating the adoption of Scrum and Agile with Managers and Leaders
- Participation in events
- Getting Rid of Organizational Barriers
To perform any of the aforementioned tasks properly, it takes time, intense talent, and a laser-like focus. Great Scrum Masters invest a lot of time in developing the skills necessary to excel at their jobs.
What are the Roles of a Product Owner?
The following tasks are often performed by a product owner.
- Testing product ideas
- Evaluating features with clients
- Updating stakeholders on the status
- In charge of delivery dates
- Conversing with rival stakeholders
- Developing and overseeing the product roadmap
- Ordering the backlog of products
- Coordinating work with the company’s overall objectives
- Conducting refinement meetings and producing precise developer needs
- Dividing a task into smaller, autonomous parts
- The conduct of sprint planning and sprint review meetings
- Developing the Release roadmap
- Balancing urgent support requests with project tasks
- Preparing cost and estimate estimations
What are the challenges when a Product Owner becomes a Scrum Master?
Each Scrum role is specially designed to fulfil a specific function. Their priorities also differ.
The system, people, processes, and practices are the Scrum Master’s main priorities. The sole attention of the Product Owner is on the business and the product. Here are some challenges faced when a product owner takes on the role of a Scrum Master.
- When a Product Owner is asked to act as a Scrum Master, the primary role takes priority over the secondary function. The Product Owner’s responsibility is to increase the value of the product that the development team delivers.
- A product owner cannot increase value while also assisting the team in becoming self-sufficient and productive. The objective of each role differs, therefore attempting to combine them will cause more trouble than it would solve.
- A product owner cannot, even momentarily, act as another’s proxy because doing so will lead to misunderstanding. They won’t be able to adequately perform in both roles.
Can Product Owners switch to become a Scrum Master?
The simplest approach in situations when the Product owner is taking on the function of the Scrum Master or completely switching their career, is to relieve them of their product owner obligations, allowing them to fully concentrate on the Scrum Master role.
A common career path for those with a passion for scrum management is to start out as a product owner and eventually move up to the position of scrum master.
Since both product owners and scrum masters are part of a scrum team, it is not impossible for a product owner to become a scrum master. However, a product owner may have to get a thorough understanding of all the responsibilities of a scrum master role.
Conclusion
The answer to scenarios where the Product Owner serves as the Scrum Master is to search for a new Scrum Master who can commit time to the position. This not only relieves the Product Owner of Scrum process management duties, but it also fosters constructive competition amongst Scrum Masters and Product Owners.
However, if we talk about permanently switching careers, then a product owner can definitely opt for the scrum master role and take on his or her duties in no time.
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