The tech world can be an overwhelming place. With customers demanding lightning-fast updates, companies have no option but to become Agile in their approach. Today, almost 70% of Fortune 100 companies are adopting the Scaled Agile Framework, and the demand for professionals who can help them adapt to new ways of working is also increasing.
Enter SAFe Scrum Master.
A SAFe Scrum Master is a servant leader who empowers and leads Agile teams through constant coaching, mentoring, and smooth facilitation of Agile events.
To gain better clarity, let’s understand the roles and responsibilities of a SAFe Scrum Master, along with its career scope and how it differs from the traditional duties of a Scrum Master.
Expanding on the above definition, a SAFe Scrum Master is a servant leader responsible for empowering Agile teams and facilitating Agile events, such as iteration planning, standups, and retrospectives. They also prepare the team to inspect and adapt each event and deliver business value at scale.
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s look at some interesting facts to learn about its career scope:
From the above diagram, it is clear that the demand for SAFe Scrum Master is increasing. It is critical to note that the candidate’s average salary can increase depending on their skills, experience, interpersonal skills, and ability to handle complex projects at an enterprise level.
As the popularity of Agile and Scrum increases, the roles and responsibilities of a SAFe Scrum Master also multiply. Here is a breakdown of all the things they do to ensure that Agile teams can work productively and there are no obstacles.
PI planning is a time-boxed event where multiple teams in the same Agile Release Train (ART) meet and discuss product features, identify cross-team interdependencies and prepare a roadmap.
The role of the SAFe Scrum Master here is to ensure that everyone is briefed about the product’s upcoming features. They also work with Product Owners, Release Train Engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure the event is successful. Here is a brief overview of all duties a SAFe Scrum Master is responsible for PI planning:
If anyone asks which is the most critical role and responsibility of a SAFe Scrum Master, it is supporting Agile teams in iteration execution. The process is how Agile teams manage their work and create systems that ensure maximum productivity to meet PI goals. And the SAFe Scrum Master is at the heart of it.
They facilitate the iteration execution process, including facilitating Scrum ceremonies that include daily stand-ups, iteration planning, iteration review, and iteration retrospective. These help the team stay focused on their tasks and eliminate roadblocks. SAFe Scrum Masters coordinate with multiple teams to ensure everyone is on the same page. Many also use advanced software tools to help track questions, accountabilities, and progress.
Their responsibilities also include collaborating with the Product Owner to refine the product backlog, explore different tools, techniques, and processes and learn how to apply them for customer centricity. During the execution process, they also collaborate with other stakeholders as and when needed.
Also, If you want to move deeper into Scrum ceremonies, read this guide to make the most out of these crucial gatherings!
SAFe exists with the sole purpose of improving team performance and ensuring faster time-to-market. But building a high-performance team is a challenge for many leaders. And this is where SAFe Scrum Masters can help.
They foster the following attributes in each team member to ensure they perform to their maximum potential:
Besides these attributes, SAFe Scrum Masters should educate and help members adapt SAFe principles for faster value creation. It is also vital to take time and hold one-on-one sessions to root out conflicts and address concerns.
The end of the PI cycle is probably the busiest time for the SAFe Scrum Master. It is because they are responsible for:
If you are contemplating becoming a Scrum Master, it is critical to know the top differences between both roles. Here is a brief overview to help you make the right career decision:
Now that we have analyzed how SAFe Scrum Masters differ from non-SAFe Scrum Masters, it is time to understand the qualifications and criteria. To become one, you should ace the SAFe® Scrum Master examination and acquire the certification.
Here are the steps you need to follow to acquire your SAFe® Scrum Master certification:
Whether you are a Scrum Master looking to acquire new skills or want to move to a leadership position, pursuing the SAFe Scrum Master certification has many benefits. Hopefully, this guide will help you understand the nuances of the role and decide whether this is a suitable career path for you.
And if you need help getting started or anything about the examination, we can help you. We offer instructor-led SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master training with a practical learning approach riddled with industry-driven case studies, insights from industry experts, and group activities.
Check out our training page here to know what our training entails, and do reach out to us for any queries!
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