The Scrum Master role versus the Project Manager role.

Working according to agile methodologies is a challenge for those who remain rooted in the old project management paradigms, as they associate the functions and responsibilities of the Scrum Master with those of the Project Manager.

To clarify these differences, we define both roles:

• The Project Manager is in charge of project management. This role includes responsibilities for the start, planning, design, execution, monitoring, control, and closure of the project; and ensuring compliance with the scope, time, and costs of the project assigned by management.
• The Scrum Master acts as a facilitator, coach, and team leader, ensuring the compliance of the values, principles, rules, and process of Scrum. Other responsibilities are teaching the team to self-manage, to create synergy, and to think together to achieve the objectives; to ensure the effectiveness of meetings and the fulfillment of commitments made in work agreements.

The Project Manager executes the development of the project and is the main responsible for the success or failure thereof; the Scrum Master guides the Scrum Team to achieve the expected results and has a shared responsibility. If there is any similarity in roles, it would be between the Project Manager and the Product Owner, but this will be discussed in a subsequent post.