In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the differences between a project manager and a scrum master. Are they the same thing? Are all scrum masters project managers? Keep reading to discover the answers.
What Is a Project Manager?
A project manager is a professional in charge of the execution of a project from start to finish.
Some of the tasks usually performed by a project manager include;
- Planning
- Managing procurement
- Monitoring
- Dealing with stakeholders
- Closing out projects
Depending on the characteristics of the project and the skills of the team involved, a project manager may decide to use different project management methodologies such as Scrum, Agile, Kanban, Lean, and Waterfall.
If you are interested in the job a project manager does and the future of the role, be sure to check out these previous blogs: “Is Project Management a Good Career?” and “Will Project Manager Be Automated?”
What Is a Scrum Master?
As hinted above, Scrum is a project management methodology.
Scrum is based on an iterative process where a team member known as Scrum master ensures that the Scrum framework is applied. This may include:
- Facilitate the daily Scrum meeting
- Coaching team members
- Help the team focus on creating high-value increments
- Assist the product owner with the product backlog
To learn more about Scrum, check out our previous blog, “Scrum: “What You Need To Know.”
Project Manager vs Scrum Master
As you can see by the descriptions above, the duties of a project manager include monitoring tasks and keeping key stakeholders current with the progress of the project.
A Scrum master, by contrast, is more focused on coaching the team and ensuring that the Scrum principles are applied and leveraged to their full potential.
Finally, some Scrum masters are project managers, but you don’t have to be a project manager in order to become a Scrum master. If you are interested in becoming a scrum master, you should consider the possibility of earning a professional Scrum master certification.
About Darnell Technical
Darnell Technical Services is an engineering design firm with extensive experience in a vast array of projects. Our headquarters are located in Santa Ana, California, and we have an office in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contact us today by telephone (714-285-0082 (CA), 702-945-2899 (NV)) or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about all the technical instruments and materials we put at your disposal.
