Lack of Authority Blocks Progress on Critical Projects

TL;DR; Scrum Masters need real authority to remove obstacles and drive project success, but many are blocked by bureaucracy and lack of support. Without empowerment, they cannot be held accountable for outcomes and become ineffective. Development managers should ensure Scrum Masters have the authority to act if they expect meaningful results.

Published on 16 March 2025

Written by Martin Hinshelwood

1 minute read

https://nkdagility.com/resources/uLNzs9NgPZI

Imagine you’re responsible for delivering a critical project, but every time you try to remove an obstacle, you’re told you don’t have the authority to do so.

That’s the reality for many Scrum Masters.

If you expect someone to deliver outcomes, they must have control over the factors that influence those outcomes. That means removing impediments, challenging dysfunction, and enforcing alignment where necessary.

Scrum Masters who are handcuffed by bureaucracy, overreaching managers, or a lack of executive support cannot fulfil their accountability. You can’t hold someone accountable for effectiveness while stripping them of the means to achieve it.

If your Scrum Masters aren’t empowered to act, they’re not Scrum Masters. They’re just observers.

Does your organisation give Scrum Masters the authority they need to drive real change?

Also published on: LinkedIn

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