Scrum Master vs Project Manager — An overview of the differences cover image
Team Building

Scrum Master vs Project Manager — An overview of the differences

A description of each role, their key responsibilities, what each is not in charge of, and how they duties overlap and differentiate.

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Robbin Schuurman
Feb 11, 2020 • 10 min read
4.75 (8)
Project Management
Scrum Master
Roles
Scrum
Skills Development
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Summary

There is much confusion as to the difference between a Scrum Master and a Project Manager. Some see the Scrum Master as an Agile Project Manager, and figure their responsibilities should be similar. In this article Robbin Shuurman shows that there is almost no overlap between the role of Scrum Master and the position of Project Manager. He dives in to explain the differences, their shared and unique characteristics, and the criteria they're good and not good at.

Takeaways

  • A Scrum Master differs from a Project Manager in the essence that the former leads Agile/ Scrum-based projects per the Scrum Guide in an organization, while the latter takes charge of any other project in an organization on a daily basis.
  • Scrum Masters and Project managers have common characteristics. i.e Communication and leadership.
  • They also possess some distinct characteristics. Scrum masters are Agile experts but not good at keeping time while project managers always deliver their projects on time.

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