Agile Coaches vs. Scrum Masters: Why It’s Not Versus

Why Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters Matter

Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters are in my opinion crucial for supporting organizations manage change, question on how they operate and help them improve continuously towards effectiveness and better ways of working.

In many cases, these roles are separate. Agile Coaches focus on strategy and transformation across the organization, while Scrum Masters work with teams to ensure smooth execution. However, the most effective organizations I saw did not separate these roles.

What’s the Difference Between Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters?

Based on my own experience and some research I did, following distinctions are the most common ones:

• Agile Coaches: Agile Coaches work with teams and leaders to make improvements across the organization. They focus on changing how people think, improving workflows, and encouraging collaboration. They guide leaders and teams to adopt agile practices and make sure improvements are sustainable.

• Scrum Masters: Scrum Masters help teams deliver work at a steady and sustainable pace. They support team growth, resolve obstacles, and create an environment where teams can improve. They are not limited to the Scrum framework and often use various tools and methods to help teams succeed.

  
  

Why Do Some Companies Separate These Roles?

Organizations often separate these roles for several reasons:

• Organizational Structure: Clear distinctions can help maintain responsibilities and reporting structures.

• Career Paths: Defining roles gives people opportunities to specialize in coaching leaders or supporting teams.

• Managing Workload: In large organizations, splitting the roles helps manage the volume of work more effectively.

While these reasons are logical, they can cause inefficiencies. High-performing organizations often merge these roles, which allows for more flexibility and better use of skills. This separation may persist due to traditional career practices, a culture of rigid role definitions, salary structures tied to job titles, seniority distinctions, or the status that comes with certain positions. These factors can unintentionally limit collaboration and slow down progress.

Why Combining These Roles Makes Sense

Combining the roles of Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters provides key benefits:

• Quicker Problem-Solving: Problems at the team level can be solved immediately without the need for handovers.

• Broader Understanding: A combined role provides better insights into how the organization works, making it easier to identify and fix problems.

• Unified Direction: Aligning team activities with organizational goals becomes easier when one person oversees both levels.

• Flexibility: A combined role allows for more adaptability to the needs of both teams and the organization.

• Improved Communication: Eliminating gaps between strategic and operational levels fosters collaboration and trust.

  
  

Let’s Talk!

Should Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters remain separate? Comment below!