Developing People and Teams · Topic 2 of 2
Facilitation and Coaching
Facilitation and coaching for PSM I: how a Scrum Master facilitates events, coaches self-management, and differs from a teacher, mentor or manager.
- 3 min
- Facilitation helps a group reach its outcome without taking over the content.
- The Scrum Master ensures events are positive, productive and within the timebox.
- The Scrum Master facilitates stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed.
What it is
Facilitation is helping a group reach its desired outcome, for example a good decision or a productive event, without taking over the content. Coaching is helping people and teams improve by asking questions and helping them find their own answers. Both are ways the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team, the Product Owner and the organization.
How it works
Facilitation in the Scrum Guide
- The Scrum Master ensures that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive and kept within the timebox.
- The Scrum Master facilitates stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed.
- Facilitation does not mean running every meeting. The Daily Scrum belongs to the Developers, who choose its structure; the Scrum Master only ensures it takes place.
In practice, good facilitation keeps the event focused on its purpose, makes sure everyone is heard, helps the group make decisions together, and stays neutral on the content.
Coaching in the Scrum Guide
The Scrum Master:
- Coaches the team members in self-management and cross-functionality.
- Leads, trains and coaches the organization in its Scrum adoption.
Scrum Master stances
Scrum.org guidance on Scrum Master stances describes several stances a Scrum Master can take. They are not in the Scrum Guide itself, but they help with scenario questions.
| Stance | What it is |
|---|---|
| Coach | Asks powerful questions so people find their own solutions |
| Facilitator | Helps a group achieve its desired outcome, neutral on content |
| Teacher | Makes sure Scrum and related practices are understood |
| Mentor | Shares own experience and knowledge |
| Impediment remover | Causes the removal of blockers the team cannot remove itself |
| Change agent | Helps the organization change to support Scrum |
Stances to avoid include acting as a team boss who assigns work or a secretary who takes care of logistics while the team disengages.
Choosing the stance
- A team new to Scrum may need more teaching.
- A team that knows Scrum but struggles to decide may need facilitation.
- A team stuck on a problem it can solve may need coaching, not an answer.
When a question asks what the Scrum Master should do "first" about a team problem, options that ask the team questions or help it discuss the problem usually beat options where the Scrum Master decides or escalates.
How the exam asks about this
- "Who ensures the Scrum events take place and stay within their timeboxes?" The Scrum Master.
- "Developers ask the Scrum Master to run the Daily Scrum." The Daily Scrum is for the Developers; the Scrum Master ensures it happens and coaches them to run it.
- "The Product Owner wants help working with stakeholders." The Scrum Master can facilitate stakeholder collaboration.
What to remember for the exam
- Facilitation helps a group reach its outcome without taking over the content.
- The Scrum Master ensures events are positive, productive and within the timebox.
- The Scrum Master facilitates stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed.
- Coaching helps people find their own answers; it supports self-management.
- Stances such as coach, teacher and mentor come from Scrum.org guidance, not the Scrum Guide.
A Scrum Master who always facilitates, decides and fixes things for the team can prevent the team from learning to self-manage.
Common mistakes
Running the Daily Scrum for the Developers. The Scrum Master ensures it takes place.
Giving the answer when coaching would help the team more.
Acting as the team's manager or secretary.
Check yourself
What is facilitation?
Helping a group achieve its desired outcome, such as a good decision or productive event, without taking over the content.
What does the Scrum Master coach the team in, according to the Scrum Guide?
Self-management and cross-functionality.
Is the Scrum Master required to facilitate the Daily Scrum?
No. The Scrum Master ensures it takes place; it is an event for the Developers.
Topic 2 of 2 in Developing People and Teams
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The full Scrum.org PSM I question bank has 811 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
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