Explores the gap between accountability and authority for Scrum Masters and Product Owners, highlighting the need to empower roles responsible for team outcomes.
Scrum Masters and Product Owners are held accountable for results. But here’s the contradiction—how can you be accountable for something you have no control over?
Too often, Scrum Masters are expected to ensure team effectiveness without the authority to remove impediments, challenge dysfunction, or enforce alignment. Influence is important, but it’s not enough. Leadership without control is just a suggestion.
If the Product Owner’s authority to prioritise and maximise value is accepted, why do we hesitate to acknowledge the Scrum Master’s authority to uphold agility and effectiveness?
Accountability without authority is an empty expectation. If we want better outcomes, we need to empower those responsible for delivering them.
Are Scrum Masters in your organisation truly empowered or just expected to “coach” from the sidelines?
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Schlumberger
Teleplan
SuperControl
Trayport
Healthgrades
Ericson
DFDS
Boxit Document Solutions
Jack Links
Milliman
ALS Life Sciences
Illumina
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation
Bistech
Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)
Workday
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)
Sage
New Hampshire Supreme Court
Ghana Police Service
Washington Department of Enterprise Services
Nottingham County Council
Washington Department of Transport
Department of Work and Pensions (UK)
Schlumberger
Kongsberg Maritime
YearUp.org
ALS Life Sciences
CR2
Lockheed Martin