
Introduction to Scrum – Part 10
Ceremonies
The single work stream Scrum Master facilitates and guides the Scrum team to ensure that each of the ceremonies is completed within the time-boxed delivery schedule that the team establishes.
Each of the ceremonies adds value for the inspect and adapt principle of Agile scrum to continuously improve the delivery of required features. Larger Agile Scrum initiatives include additional ceremonies designed to enhance collaboration across the program or portfolio.
The additional value added ceremonies for larger programs are:
● A scrum of Scrums ceremonies facilitated by the Chief Scrum Master
● A separate sprint facilitated by the Scrum Masters for coordinated release management
● Coordinated risk management ceremonies to address in-depth risks that may create program tension and
● Coordination of product features among the product owners, Chief Product Owner and Chief Scrum Master.
These ceremonies are not time-boxed activities and should be used as working sessions. The Chief Scrum Master continues to facilitate and validate that Agile Scrum principles and methodologies are used. The Chief Scrum Master is also a leader in organizing the teams and keeping the work streams focused on the Definition of Done (DoD) to meet the larger goals of the sponsoring organization.
Team Structure and Roles
Single Agile scrum teams and larger program and portfolio teams display the greatest differences through the structure of the teams and the roles that are required for success.
Team Structure and Roles
Agile Scrum engages the following roles officially:
● Product Owner
● Scrum Master
● Development Team Members.
The 3 mandatory roles are core to the success of the project. There may be non-core roles as defined by an organization. It is important to not blur the lines of responsibility and negatively impact the effectiveness of the team members.
The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the activities of the scrum team, working with team members to validate user stories and deliverables and removes any impediments that could negatively affect the work of the Scrum team. The Scrum Master will also teach Agile scrum methodologies and continue an iterative process of improvement when required.
Larger program initiatives will add additional roles. The most common roles that are added are the Chief Product Owner and Chief Scrum Master. Additional product owners and scrum masters are generally included in large programs. These individuals are assigned to specific work streams. In some programs. Scrum teams may be defined by specialized skills. The scrum master facilitating the respective team may also require specialized skills or domain knowledge.
Team Structure and Roles
A Chief Scrum Master will not only facilitate, teach, and remove impediments at the larger program level but, will also coordinate the efforts of all scrum masters. The Scrum of Scrum ceremonies is the most direct ceremony where this is accomplished.
A strong Chief Scrum Master will also be an active communicator seeking out possible risks –technical, process, personnel and changing business priorities. While this role does not manage the people or changes required, the Chief Scrum Master will exhibit the spirit of inspecting and adapting to support the vision of the stakeholder.
The Agile Scrum framework is useful for projects of varying sizes. The focus that a scrum master has with each size of the initiative will vary according to the application of principles, ceremonies utilized and the structure and roles of team members.
59 Seconds Training Video
Master of Agile – Scrum Product Owner With 59 Seconds Agile (Video Training Course)
Introductory Offer: Free Course
What is this course?
This ‘Master of Agile – Scrum Product Owner With 59 Seconds Agile (Video Training Course)’ provides an in-depth understanding of the Scrum Product Owner roles and responsibilities
You will explore the Agile Scrum project life-cycle, including how an Agile User Story is created, to how we know when it is ‘done’
This course is aimed at those with or without prior knowledge and experience of the Agile values and principles
During this course you will learn the tools needed to succeed as a Scrum Product Owner
What will you learn?
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the Scrum Product Owner roles and responsibilities, and you will be able to
- Fully understand the role of the Scrum Product Owner
- Understand the roles involved in an Agile project
- Create an effective Product Backlog
- Effectively participate in Scrum Meetings such as the Daily Stand-up, Sprint Review and Retrospective
- Identify the roles involves in the Scrum Team

What topics are covered within this course?
You will cover the following topics during this course:
- An Introduction to Agile Project Management (Product Owner)
- The 12 Agile Principles (Product Owner)
- The Declaration of Interdependence (Product Owner)
- Introduction to Scrum (Product Owner)
- Scrum Project Roles (Product Owner)
- The Agile Project Life-cycle (Product Owner)
- Acceptance Criteria and the Prioritised Product Backlog (Product Owner)
- Epics and Personas (Product Owner)
- Sprint Planning (Product Owner)
- User Stories (Product Owner)
- The Daily Scrum (Product Owner)
- The Product Backlog (Product Owner)
- Scrum Charts (Product Owner)
- Review and Retrospective (Product Owner)
- Validating a Sprint (Product Owner)
- Releasing the Product (Product Owner)
Our Book Recommendations
We found these books great for finding out more information on Agile Scrum: