Developers and Self-Management in Scrum
Understand how self managing Developers are central to Scrum team success. Learn what self management means in practice and how it empowers teams to deliver value.
Scrum defines three accountabilities: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers. Of these, Developers are responsible for creating any usable increment each Sprint. This is a big job. To do it well, the Scrum Guide states that Scrum Teams are self managing. This applies directly to Developers. Self management means the team decides how to get the work done. No one outside the Scrum Team tells them how to convert Product Backlog items into increments.
What Self-Management Means
Self managing does not mean a free-for-all. It means the Developers collectively decide who does what, when, and how. They choose the best way to accomplish the Sprint Goal. They manage their own work within the boundaries of the Sprint Goal and Product Goal. This includes choosing tools, techniques, and task assignments. It also means they are accountable for their commitments. If an external manager dictates specific tasks or approaches, the team is not truly self managing. This undermines Scrum's effectiveness.
Why Self-Management is Crucial
When Developers self manage, they are more engaged and take more ownership. They are closer to the work than anyone else, so they are best positioned to make decisions about how to do it. This often leads to better solutions and higher quality work. It also builds a stronger team. They learn to rely on each other and solve problems together. This is a core tenet of agile thinking. Without self management, a Scrum Team is just a group of individuals following orders. It misses the benefit of collective intelligence.
Practical Examples of Self-Management
Consider a team building a new login feature. A self managing team would:
- Decide which Developer writes the front-end code for the user interface.
- Choose the best database technology for storing user credentials.
- Determine the sequence of tasks to integrate the login with existing systems.
- Coordinate pairing sessions to share knowledge and improve code quality.
- Identify and resolve technical obstacles without waiting for external direction.
They do all this while keeping the Sprint Goal in mind. Their focus remains on delivering a usable login feature, not just completing individual tasks. They adapt their plan daily during the Daily Scrum based on progress and new learnings.
Overcoming Challenges to Self-Management
Implementing self management can be hard. Managers used to directing work may struggle to let go. Developers new to self organization may feel uncomfortable making decisions. The Scrum Master's role is key here. They coach the Developers on self management principles. They help remove impediments that prevent the team from making its own decisions. They also coach the organization on how to support self managing teams. This might involve explaining to a manager why they should not assign specific tasks to individual Developers.
The Scrum Master's Role in Fostering Self-Management
The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways. For Developers, this includes coaching them in self management and cross functionality. They help the team focus on creating high value increments. They also facilitate the removal of impediments. If a team struggles to make decisions, the Scrum Master might suggest decision making frameworks. If external stakeholders try to micromanage, the Scrum Master intervenes to protect the team's autonomy. Their goal is to empower the Developers to be truly self managing. This helps the team deliver value consistently.