HKSM

A servant-leader for the development team and custodian of the Scrum process. Facilitates Scrum events, removes impediments, and shields the team from external disruptions; sometimes called a Flow Master.

Key Points

• Coaches the development team and stakeholders on effective use of Scrum to maximize value and flow.
• Facilitates Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Retrospective to maintain transparency and collaboration.
• Actively identifies, tracks, and removes impediments that hinder progress.
• Protects the team from interruptions and scope thrash, promoting a sustainable pace.

Example

During a payments platform sprint, two user stories are blocked by a security review. The Scrum Master organizes a quick cross-team session with the security group, agrees on a temporary workaround, makes the impediment visible on the board, and works with the Product Owner to defer any new sales-driven requests to the Product Backlog instead of disrupting the current sprint.

PMP Example Question

Mid-sprint, developers are being pinged directly by sales with urgent requests. What should the Scrum Master do first?

1. Ask the team to work overtime to handle the additional requests.
2. Order the Product Owner to re-plan the Sprint Backlog immediately.
3. Route requests through the Product Owner and remind stakeholders that new work goes to the Product Backlog, not the current sprint.
4. Escalate to the PMO to block sales from contacting the team.

Correct Answer: C — Protect the team and uphold the Scrum process

Explanation: The Scrum Master shields the team from disruptions and ensures changes enter through the Product Owner and Product Backlog, rather than interrupting the ongoing sprint.