video

The Problem with Incompetent Scrum Masters: Why Lack of Skills in Team Context Results in Poor ROI

Published on
6 minute read

When organizations invest in Scrum Masters, they expect results. Yet, too often, they find that the promised returns aren’t realized. Why is that? It boils down to a lack of competence within the Scrum Master’s role—particularly in understanding the context of the team, the product owner, and the organizational structure. Without this, the return on investment (ROI) diminishes. Let’s dive into why having a skilled Scrum Master is crucial and how to measure their impact effectively.

Why Competent Scrum Masters Matter

A competent Scrum Master can significantly impact a team’s success. Here’s how:

What Happens Without a Competent Scrum Master?

When a Scrum Master lacks the necessary skills, here’s what you can expect:

👉 Remember: Happy teams are essential, but the true ROI comes from delivering valuable products to your customers.


Measuring the Value of a Scrum Master

To truly assess the impact of a Scrum Master, you need to gather data. Below are some key metrics that can help you determine their effectiveness.

1. Innovation Rate: Is Your Team Innovating Enough?

🔍 Example: A major streaming platform like Netflix might compare the development of a new series (innovation) against remastering an existing one (maintenance).

2. On-Product Index: Where Is Your Team’s Time Going?

📅 Recommendation: Track this to ensure your team remains focused on value-adding activities.

3. Usage Index: Are Your Customers Using What You Build?

💡 Example: A bank I worked with believed they had an 80% usage rate for their features. But after adding telemetry to track actual usage, it turned out only 8% of features were used.

4. Installed Version Index: Are Your Users Up-to-Date?

📲 Tip: Aim for a higher installed version index to reduce support time and costs.


Calculating the Real ROI: The Harsh Truth

Let’s look at the combined impact of these metrics on your ROI. For every dollar you spend on product development:

🚨 Warning: That’s 6 cents of return for every dollar invested! And this is with optimistic numbers.

Real-World Data: The Importance of Measuring Success

A bank I consulted with discovered the gap between perception and reality when they thought their feature usage was at 80%, but actual data showed just 8%. This was a wake-up call and led to changes in their product strategy.

📈 Lesson: Don’t rely on assumptions—use real data to drive your decisions.


How a Competent Scrum Master Can Change the Game

A skilled Scrum Master can directly influence these metrics by:


Measuring Scrum Master Impact: Hold Them Accountable

Your Scrum Masters should be able to demonstrate their impact through improved metrics. If you don’t see improvements over time, it might be time to reconsider your investment.

Key Takeaways: How to Measure and Improve ROI

🚀 Pro Tip: If your metrics aren’t improving, you’ve likely got the wrong Scrum Master for the job.


Conclusion: Competence Is Key to Unlocking ROI

In today’s competitive landscape, a competent Scrum Master can be the difference between a team that merely gets by and one that thrives. It’s not just about having happier teams; it’s about delivering more value to your customers. Measure, adjust, and ensure your investment in Scrum Masters pays off. 👉 Final Thought: Don’t settle for mediocrity. Invest in Scrum Masters who can drive real change and watch your ROI soar.

video Agile Scrum Scrum Master Agile coach Agile project management Project management Agile product development Product development

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.​

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo

NIT A/S

Microsoft Logo

CR2

Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo
Lean SA Logo
Epic Games Logo
Emerson Process Management Logo
Hubtel Ghana Logo
New Signature Logo
Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo
Ericson Logo
SuperControl Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo
Akaditi Logo
Trayport Logo
Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo
Milliman Logo
Nottingham County Council Logo
Washington Department of Transport Logo
Royal Air Force Logo
Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo
Ghana Police Service Logo
Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo
ALS Life Sciences Logo
Slicedbread Logo
Qualco Logo
YearUp.org Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo
Graham & Brown Logo