When a Scrum Master leaves a team, how does the team handle that situation? Does someone from the Dev Team step up and act as the scrum master until a replacement is found? Does someone from the management team step in to assist? We recently ran into this situation and the team was left scrambling. No one on the Agile team stepped up to take his place. Just trying to figure out what is the best thing to do in this situation so we can be better prepared if it happens again. Saving Changes...
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Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Answer some questions: What was the impact on your organization and team(s) of losing the scrum master? Are the team(s) mature enough to work for some time without a scrum master? For how long? What are the roles and skills needed to be a scrum master in your organization? Is it possible to have, in your organization, people with these skills as a reserve? Do you have, in your network of contacts, people with the profile to perform these functions? How long does it take to integrate a new person into the team(s)?
Depending on the answers to these questions, create a strategy that allows replacing the scrum master without great "turbulence" for the organization and the team Saving Changes...
In an ideal situation, the Scrum Master is just a hat worn by a team member at a given point in time and isn't solely focused on one individual. That makes it easy for someone else to step in if that individual has to leave the team.
However, in reality, most of the companies I've worked with treat it as a dedicated role, and if no one else on the team has the cycles or capability to step in, then a replacement lead is required with the accompanying impacts to the team's dynamic till they adapt to the team's way of working.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Ashley
Kiron nailed it and I totally agree with him - This might affect the productivity for sometime until the new SM gets up to speed.
Recently, I've started seeing this role being rotated between team members and this actually helps overcome issues like the one you are having now.
RK Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I've seen Scrum Masters facilitate more than one Scrum team, in a pinch. You should have standing offer contracts in place for you to tap for resources as you need them, with little to no delays. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
It will depends on the definition of Scrum Master into your organization and the level of maturity achieved into it. I will assume that the role is defined taken the Scrum Guide. With that said, Scrum Master is just a role and anyone can do it. The same with project manager. Just give to somebody the Scrum Guide and after read and understand the role just give her/him the defined Scrum process (Scrum is a framework then you have to complete it with tools and techniques) and let her/him run the process. No more than that. Take into account that your organization could have a level of matutiry using Scrum where Scrum Master role is not needed at all. Saving Changes...
The scrum master should be replaced by another person that has the knowledge and skill necessary for the position. Usually, another team member is completely able to take the role, and it's a benefit since this person knows already the project issues and dynamics. Saving Changes...
Like other roles, team members, etc. that may happen. So you should find another candidate for this role. It may come with some considerations and difficulties, however, it is not the end of the world. Saving Changes...
Michael ShostSenior Security Portfolio Leader| Group 1001 SolutionsBrewster, NY, USA, United States
When a Scrum Master leaves a team, it's important to quickly find a suitable replacement to ensure the team continues to function effectively. There are several ways to handle this situation, and the best approach depends on your organization's structure and the team's capabilities. Here are some options to consider:
Internal replacement: Look for a team member who has the necessary skills and experience to take on the Scrum Master role, at least temporarily. This could be someone from the Development Team or even from another team in the organization. If you have someone with prior Scrum Master experience or someone who has shown an interest in the role, they might be a good fit.
Management assistance: If there's no suitable replacement within the team, someone from the management team with knowledge of Agile methodologies could temporarily step in to help. Keep in mind that this person should be focused on supporting the team and not exerting control or authority over them.
Hire a new Scrum Master: If a suitable internal replacement isn't available, consider hiring an experienced Scrum Master from outside the organization. This process may take time, so it's crucial to act fast and have an interim solution in place.
Train a team member: If you have a team member who shows potential to be a good Scrum Master but lacks experience, consider providing them with training and resources to help them transition into the role. This can be a long-term solution if the team member is interested and committed to the role.
Rotate the role: In some cases, it might be useful to rotate the Scrum Master role among team members, especially in smaller teams or those with a high degree of self-organization. This can help distribute the responsibilities and give team members the opportunity to learn and grow.
To better prepare for future situations like this, consider the following:
Cross-training: Encourage team members to learn about the Scrum Master role and gain experience by participating in relevant workshops or training sessions. This will create a pool of potential replacements if the need arises.
Succession planning: Develop a plan for identifying and nurturing potential Scrum Masters within your organization. This can help ensure a smoother transition when a Scrum Master leaves the team.
Documentation: Ensure that the Scrum Master's processes and practices are well-documented so that a new Scrum Master can quickly get up to speed on the team's way of working.
Build a support network: Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among Scrum Masters and Agile practitioners within your organization. This can help create a support system for new Scrum Masters and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
Ultimately, the best approach will depend on your organization's specific circumstances and resources. Being proactive about addressing this situation and having contingency plans in place can help minimize disruption and ensure your team continues to function effectively. Saving Changes...
Warren NashPM/PMO Position & SAP Architect| FreelancePudong, Shanghai, China, Mainland
I agree with Kiron, but as long as the Scrum Master role is known to them, that they have maturity of mind, and they are there to facilitate and remove any obstacles. Saving Changes...
Latha Thamma reddiSr Product and Portfolio Management (Automation Innovation)| DXC TechnologyMckinney, Tx, United States
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