Agile Teams are at the heart of successful projects. Some projects are more agile, some less so – it also depends on which role the team's "servant leaders" see themselves in. For example, as scrum master versus project manager – but what's the difference? This question may be on the tip of some of your tongues. Let's take a look together at some of the differences, but also the similarities.
Project manager versus Scrum Master
Project manager versus Scrum Master: Similarities
Project manager versus Scrum Master
Project manager versus Scrum Master: Differences
The Scrum Master and the Project Manager have different roles and responsibilities, especially in relation to their work in agile development environments such as Scrum.
Below you will find the main differences between a Scrum Master and a Project Manager. It should be noted that this is a "caricature" of the two roles – Exceptions prove the rule:
Focus on Agile vs. traditional project management methods:
- Scrum Masters: Focuses on the implementation and maintenance of agile principles, especially in the context of Scrum. The Scrum Master helps the team to remove obstacles, promotes collaboration and continuously improves the agile process.
- Project manager: Often works in traditional project management methodologies such as the waterfall model and is responsible for planning, monitoring and controlling the entire course of the project. Responsible for overall project management, including planning resources, budgets, schedules and monitoring project progress. The project manager also coordinates collaboration between different teams and departments.
Team interaction:
- Scrum Masters: Works closely with the development team, product owner and other stakeholders to ensure that agile principles are adhered to and the team can work optimally.
- Project manager: Often has broader interaction, including communication with various departments, stakeholders such as external and senior management. In terms of responsibility, the project manager is often more akin to a product owner.
Authority and control:
- Scrum Masters: Obviously has no authority over the development team. Instead, the role focuses on creating a supportive environment in which the team can work in a self-organized manner.
- Project manager: Usually has more control over resources, budgets and schedules and is often authorized to make decisions and give instructions. You can already hear it: project managers as a role have been around much longer than a Scrum Master, which is why the approach is somewhat more traditional.
It is important to note that agile environments often emphasize cross-functional collaboration and team autonomy, while traditional project management approaches may have a more hierarchical structure. Both approaches may of course be appropriate depending on the requirements of a project.
The two roles also differ accordingly on other levels.
Measurement of success:
- Scrum Masters: Often measures success by the improvement of team performance, the application of agile principles and the satisfaction of team members.
- Project manager: Often measures success by adherence to schedules, budgets and the achievement of defined project goals.
Flexibility and customization:
- Scrum Masters: Promotes flexibility and adaptability, as Scrum is based on the iterative and incremental approach. The focus is on continuous improvement and adaptation to change.
- Project manager: Often has to work with a detailed project plan, which may be less flexible and harder to change.
Communication style:
- Scrum Masters: Promotes open communication, collaboration and the exchange of information within the team. Emphasizes transparency and regular coordination.
- Project manager: Must often use more formal communication channels and can play a more active role in information distribution and control.
Risk management:
- Scrum Masters: Focuses on spontaneously identifying and overcoming current obstacles in order to support the team in successfully implementing the sprint goals. In this respect, little time is spent on anticipating possible risks and taking preventive measures.
- Project manager: Responsible for the broader risk management of the entire project, including financial, organizational and technical risks, often over an extended period of time.
Duration of the commitment:
- Scrum Masters: Typically works throughout the duration of the project to ensure agile practices are followed and the team is successful.
- Project manager: May vary depending on the project phase. In some cases, a project manager can only be deployed for the planning and start-up phase of a project.
Project manager versus Scrum Master
Project manager versus Scrum Master: Examples
To better understand the differences between a Scrum Master and a Project Manager, here are some examples of situations that illustrate how their roles can differ in practice:
Project manager versus Scrum Master Example: Change in requirements:
- Scrum Masters: The development team learns of a change to the requirements during a sprint. The Scrum Master supports the team in understanding the impact, removing obstacles and involving the Product Owner in the adaptation process.
- Project manager: In a traditional project management environment, the project manager would need to assess the impact of the changes on the schedule, budget and other resources. They would then initiate a formal change request and communicate the impact to the entire project team.
Project manager versus Scrum Master Team conflicts:
- Scrum Masters: Two team members have differences of opinion during a sprint review. The Scrum Master facilitates discussions, promotes open communication and supports the team in finding solutions in a self-organized manner.
- Project manager: In a traditional environment, the project manager would respond to team conflicts by possibly giving clear instructions to resolve the conflicts and involving HR or other resources if necessary.
Project manager versus Scrum Master Budget overrun:
- Scrum Masters: Scrum Masters normally have no direct influence on the budget. However, if the team needs resources that could exceed the budget, the Scrum Master could support the Product Owner and the team in communicating this and clarifying priorities.
- Project manager: A project manager is often directly responsible for budget management. In the event of a budget overrun, the project manager would need to take action to bring the finances back into line, possibly through re-planning or stakeholder communication.
Project manager versus Scrum Master Planning flexibility:
- Scrum Masters: During a sprint, the team realizes that it is progressing faster than expected. The Scrum Master promotes the team's self-organization and helps to re-evaluate the sprint goals and add additional tasks from the backlog if necessary.
- Project manager: In a traditional project management environment, it might be more difficult to change the original plan. The project manager might focus on sticking to the current plan unless a formal change is made.
Project manager versus Scrum Master
Project manager versus Scrum Master: Both roles at the same time?
Is it possible to take on both roles at the same time? Yes, it is at least theoretically possible to take on the roles of Scrum Master and Project Manager at the same time. Particularly in smaller organizations or in projects with limited resources, individuals could act as both scrum master and project manager.
However, this combination will present challenges, as the two roles have different skills, focuses and responsibilities. In this respect, it should be emphasized: It is definitely not recommended to perform the roles simultaneously! If there are no other options, for example for financial reasons, here are a few thoughts.
Time and commitment: Both roles require considerable commitment. If the requirements of both roles are too extensive, it can be difficult to perform both effectively at the same time.
Risk management: Project Managers may need to perform comprehensive risk management, while Scrum Masters focus on obstacle removal in the agile process. The balance between these different approaches can be challenging.
Skills and experience: The roles require different skills and experience. A successful scrum master needs a deep understanding of agile principles and team dynamics, while a project manager needs skills in traditional project management, budgeting and stakeholder management.
Role conflicts: If a Scrum Master also acts as a project manager and potentially has the authority to terminate employees at the same time, it should be clear that the role of a trustworthy Scrum Master or Servant Leader will be very difficult to fulfill in this context.
Project manager vs. scrum master
Continuous improvement for agile teams
Both scrum masters and project managers are responsible for continuously developing teams. The Echometer tool can help you with this. It has been developed especially for team leads who may not have a dedicated full-time Scrum Master.
Echometer is a digital tool that helps agile team leads with agile retrospectives and team Health Checks. Whether remote, hybrid or on-site: it makes team coaching measurable and professionalizes your work while saving you a lot of work. Just take a look at our website to find out more: www.echometerapp.com.
"If you are both scrum master and project manager, the moderation of agile retrospectives, for example, could also be handed over to a volunteer team member."
Project manager vs. scrum master
Conclusion - Scrum Master versus Project Manager
Scrum Master versus Project Manager – Two roles, two approaches to projects. The key to success lies in understanding your own situation well and selecting the right role or framework based on this. The agile manifesto and the Scrum Guide are like signposts that help us to find the balance between agility and structure.
Finally, another quick hint: If you would like to know how it feels to develop your team with our tool: You can start an agile retrospective below without logging in, in this case the "Keep, Stop, Start" workshop.
Alternatively, simply forward our website to the responsible colleagues: www.echometerapp.com.
