video

The Competence Crisis in Scrum Master Roles: A Call for Excellence

Published on
7 minute read

The current state of Scrum Master roles is, to put it mildly, troubling. Across organizations, there’s a significant, systemic lack of competence in the Scrum Master accountability. This shortfall has grown from the agile boom of the past two decades, creating a demand for Scrum Masters that far outstrips the available supply. As a result, many individuals have transitioned into these roles without the necessary skills or experience to succeed.


The Demand for Scrum Masters Far Outstrips Supply

The explosion of agile practices in the early 2000s led to a rapid increase in demand for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. This demand came from companies of all sizes, looking to incorporate agile frameworks into their teams and departments. But the supply of truly competent Scrum Masters couldn’t keep pace:


Why a Two-Day Course Doesn’t Make You a Scrum Master

Let’s be clear: a two-day Scrum Master course does not make you a qualified Scrum Master. It’s akin to passing your driving test; it means you have a basic understanding, but it doesn’t make you a Formula 1 driver. Mastery takes time, experience, and continuous learning:


The Influx of Unqualified Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches

Over the past 15-20 years, the agile industry has seen many people move into Scrum Master roles with limited competence. They might have completed a short course or attended a coaching class, but these don’t equip them with the necessary skills:


Training Police Officers in Ghana: A Lesson in Context and Competence

I had the opportunity to train police officers in Ghana, using Scrum as an organizational change mechanism. Here’s what I learned:


Why Competence in Software Engineering is Crucial for Scrum Masters

For a Scrum Master working with software engineering teams, having a foundational understanding of software development is critical:


The Role of the Scrum Master in Supporting Product Owners

A Scrum Master isn’t just accountable to the team; they also have a critical role in supporting the Product Owner:


Organizational Change: The Third Key Responsibility of Scrum Masters

The role of a Scrum Master extends beyond the team and the Product Owner. They also play a vital part in driving organizational change:


The Skills and Experience Required for Effective Scrum Masters

An effective Scrum Master is more than a facilitator—they are a leader, a coach, and a mentor. This level of competence requires years of experience:


A Massive Deficit in Scrum Master Competence

Today, there’s a significant competence deficit in the Scrum Master role, and the data backs this up. For instance, an organization called Scrum Match, which evaluates Scrum Master skills, revealed some concerning statistics:


As we face global economic uncertainties, companies are becoming more discerning about their agile practices:


Conclusion: Elevating the Standards of Scrum Mastery

The competence crisis in Scrum Master roles is a reality, but it’s not without solutions. The industry is moving from the wild west of Agile toward an era where competence is king. To succeed as a Scrum Master, you must embrace the journey of continuous learning, develop a deep understanding of the context you’re working in, and commit to becoming a true servant leader.

👉 Key Takeaways:

By focusing on these areas, Scrum Masters can elevate their roles, deliver more value, and help their organizations thrive in this new age of agile.

video Scrum Scrum Training Scrum Master Scrum Certification HR HR Manager Hiring

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

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.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Hubtel Ghana Logo
SuperControl Logo
ProgramUtvikling Logo
Epic Games Logo
DFDS Logo
Schlumberger Logo
Slicedbread Logo
Boeing Logo
Sage Logo
Slaughter and May Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo

CR2

Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo
Illumina Logo
Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo
Teleplan Logo
Healthgrades Logo

NIT A/S

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo
Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo
Royal Air Force Logo
Nottingham County Council Logo
Ghana Police Service Logo
Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo
SuperControl Logo
Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo
Trayport Logo
Milliman Logo
Microsoft Logo
Big Data for Humans Logo