What are the key responsibilities of a Scrum Master

Question

I’m stepping into a Scrum Master role, and I want to make sure I’m focusing on the right things. What are the most important responsibilities of a Scrum Master, and how do they impact the success of the team?

Answer 1

A Scrum Master is a servant leader, facilitator, and coach—not a traditional project manager.

1. Supporting Agile Ceremonies - Ensures stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives remain valuable.
 

2. Removing Impediments - Identifies and resolves team blockers. Shields the team from external disruptions (e.g., shifting priorities).
 

3. Coaching and Supporting Teams - Helps teams achieve Agile maturity and self-organization.
 

4. Protecting the Team - Minimizes mid-sprint scope changes and manages external influences.
 

5. Driving Continuous Improvement- Fosters a growth mindset and process improvements.
 

 A strong Scrum Master supports the team rather than controlling it.