What does a scrum master do?
A scrum master is a job that's rooted in leadership. It is the scrum master's responsibility to ensure a scrum process over the development of a project. They are not directly involved in the decision-making but guide the team in completing the scrum process with their experience and expertise. Also, a scrum master must be adept at being agile in approaching a project and also be able to schedule meetings during the process. In addition, the scrum master acts as a coach as well, helping the scrum teamwork cross-functionally.
Scrum master responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real scrum master resumes:
- Analyze SQL, SSIS and VBA to achieve better processing time.
- Manage high-level budgeting and time tracking for the project and also demonstrate knowledge of TDD.
- Lead UX and e-commerce optimization projects through product road-map ownership, cross-department negotiations, and product requirement creation.
- Manage the release process and the end to end SDLC for MMIS to ensure that customer commitments are being keep.
- Manage the release development and deployment of mission critical ERP and call center web-base java application in an Agile/SCRUM environment.
- Implement agile methodologies by managing and prioritizing Kanban board.
- Guide strategic direction, develop and revise product roadmap, and set priorities for API products.
- Foster positive working relationship with DevOps to support teams' needs in infrastructure, environments and deployments, e.g.
- Create scrum projects, help in release train, groom and estimate user stories, arrange ceremonies and report through JIRA.
- Work on providing solution for cloud to cloud communication.
- Establish the data environment for the cloud application and their migration.
- Identify a need to add module to current MRI ERP system.
- Act as API champion and spokesperson supporting new APIs from concept through integration.
- Initiate test-driven development (TDD) to test for critical increases to engineering costs.
- Lead the corporate documentation team transition to DocOps, the documentation partner to DevOps.
Scrum master skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Scrum Masters are proficient in Jira, Software Development, and Agile Scrum. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Scrum Masters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Jira, 7%
Develop metrics dashboards and advanced filters in JIRA to provide end-users and business leadership with meaningful operational/performance metrics and status reports.
- Software Development, 6%
Served as Scrum Master for software development team directly associated with customer facing, income generating department of SquareTwo Financial.
- Agile Scrum, 6%
Implemented Agile Scrum Methodology throughout the organization to improve communications and transparency between project team, Product Management, and Business.
- Kanban, 5%
Communicated with stakeholders, encourage collaboration with team members stressing continuous improvement through use of Kanban and Scrum.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Facilitated discussion and conflict resolution within the Scrum team and with other teams, removed impediments and encouraged continuous improvement.
- User Stories, 5%
Developed functional requirement specifications, creating epics, fully-groomed user stories, and process flow diagrams to support functional specifications.
"jira," "software development," and "agile scrum" are among the most common skills that scrum masters use at work. You can find even more scrum master responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for scrum masters to perform their duties. For an example of how scrum master responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a scrum master: "presented analysis findings both verbally and in written reports resulting in a better team understanding of agile principles. ".
Communication skills. scrum master responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." This resume example shows what scrum masters do with communication skills on a typical day: "worked with product owner in grooming the product backlog; manage all the communications with po and other stake holders. "
Creativity. Another common skill required for scrum master responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of scrum masters all the time, as "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." An excerpt from a real scrum master resume shows how this skill is central to what a scrum master does: "led teams in agile methodology using the scrum process to be creative and innovative in web design. "
The three companies that hire the most scrum masters are:
- General Dynamics338 scrum masters jobs
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
319 scrum masters jobs
- Humana277 scrum masters jobs
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Compare different scrum masters
Scrum master vs. Senior consultant, information technology
A senior consultant of information technology is primarily responsible for developing strategies and procedures to optimize a company's information technology systems and infrastructure. It is their duty to assess existing networks and systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop solutions in problem areas, perform risk assessments, and provide advice on how to achieve the best information technology practices. Furthermore, as a senior consultant, it is essential to lead the efforts and serve as a role model for the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, scrum master responsibilities require skills like "jira," "software development," "agile scrum," and "kanban." Meanwhile a typical senior consultant, information technology has skills in areas such as "architecture," "healthcare," "cloud," and "san." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Senior consultants, information technology really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $117,869. Comparatively, scrum masters tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $110,550.On average, senior consultants, information technology reach similar levels of education than scrum masters. Senior consultants, information technology are 4.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Scrum master vs. Information technology technical lead
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, scrum master responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "jira," "software development," "agile scrum," and "kanban." Meanwhile, an information technology technical lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "architecture," "governance," "customer service," and "nist." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Information technology technical leads may earn a higher salary than scrum masters, but information technology technical leads earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $119,542. On the other hand, scrum masters receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $110,550.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Information technology technical leads tend to reach lower levels of education than scrum masters. In fact, they're 11.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Scrum master vs. Information technology project lead
Information technology (IT) project leads are professionals who manage a team of IT professionals that work on the IT projects of an organization. These project leads are required to handle all issues regarding the project and financial management as well as review business and product requirements with the technical development team to address production issues. They must collaborate with the technical and application team leaders so that they can ensure the appropriate development of infrastructure architecture. IT project leads must also participate in negotiations with the software suppliers and IT consulting firms.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, scrum masters are more likely to have skills like "jira," "agile scrum," "kanban," and "continuous improvement." But a information technology project lead is more likely to have skills like "status reports," "scrum," "business process," and "application development."
Information technology project leads make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $108,009. On the other hand, scrum masters are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $110,550.When it comes to education, information technology project leads tend to earn lower degree levels compared to scrum masters. In fact, they're 7.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Scrum master vs. Manager applications development
An applications development manager is responsible for keeping businesses running smoothly and effectively through planning, coordinating, and overseeing all activities related to software applications. You will oversee the maintenance, upgrade, and support of existing applications and systems required for the smooth day-to-day operations of the business. Other tasks that you will likely perform include providing estimates for project timeline and cost, overseeing feasibility research on software applications, and diagnosing and troubleshooting program errors. As an applications development manager, you are also responsible for recommending software products and services that will benefit the company.
Types of scrum master
Updated January 8, 2025
