There are two hot buzzwords in today’s industry – Project Manager and Scrum Master. Many people are having confusion if both roles are the same and use them interchangeably at different locations. Although both roles contributes to the project but they are quite different from each other. Some people think Scrum Master is played by the Project Manager in the Agile projects, which is true to a certain extent but not completely. This article explains the similarities and differences between the two roles and is very much helpful to those who wants to build their career as Project Manager or Scrum Master. Also, it will help to pursue either PMP or CSM certification.
Project Manager and Scrum Master: Similarities
Both of them explore ways to improve team’s performance and efficiency.
Both of them engages with the team to resolve impediments.
Both roles assist in making decisions. Scrum Master assists Product Owner and Project Manager assist Project Sponsor or Customer to make final decisions.
Scrum Master and Project Manager always look to improve quality.
Both roles are in demand in today’s industry. All companies have either Project Manager or Scrum Master to execute their projects.
Project Manager and Scrum Master: Differences
As more and more companies are moving towards agile project management, Scrum Master role is growing in demand than the traditional Project Manager role. However, in order to keep the role of Project Manager relevant and diversive, PMBOKv6 has introduced Agile section in the PMP exam.
1. Project Managers can customize their approach and tailor their processes. Depending upon the project type and its complexity, they can choose which method to follow – Waterfall or Agile. Whereas, Scrum Master has to follow Scrum Guidelines only to execute the project.
2. As per PMP guidelines, Project Manager is involved in all Ten Knowledge Areas whereas Scrum Master role is mostly concentrated with resource (team), scope (product backlog), and quality.
3. Project Manager manages both smaller and larger teams but Scrum Master manages only smaller teams (most of the time team range of 5 to 9 members).
4. Project Manager prepares status, design communication plan which all team members follow whereas Scrum Master facilitates daily scrum meetings (Standup meeting of max. 15 minutes).
5. Project Manager, with the help of the team, designs WBS and distribute work to team members with Work Authorization System. Scrum Master, on the other hand, helps and coaches scrum team members where they pick work by themselves.
6. Project Manager, with the help of stakeholders, baseline the scope, schedule and cost in order to execute the project. Scrum Master, with the help of Product Owner, helps in maximizing the product value based on sorting highest value user stories at the top of the product backlog.
7. Project Manager role is more oriented towards industries where situations are not dynamic like Construction, IT projects which are not complex. etc. Scrum Master role is more helpful in the dynamically changing requirements like IT industry.
8. Since the skillset require for Project Manager and Scrum Master are different, therefore, there are different certification programs for both of them. Project Manager pursues PMP or PRINCE2 certification which helps in understanding project management roles and responsibilities. Scrum Master goes for certification related to Scrum framework like CSM, PSM, PMI-ACP etc.
Nice information