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Although a project manager and a scrum master might seem like newcomers in the IT sector, they are very different when it comes to team dynamics and leadership styles. The main differences are in their approaches and the way they lead and mentor their teams through the challenges of development and project management.
Table of Contents:
- What is a scrum master?
- What is a project manager?
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Salaries
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Certifications
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Differences
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Skills
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Roles and Responsibilities
- Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Career Path
What is a Scrum Master?
A Scrum Master is an IT professional who facilitates information exchange between team members in an Agile environment. They are not the leader but facilitators of interactions. They ensure adherence to Agile principles, remove impediments, promote collaboration, and foster a self-organizing team environment to enhance project efficiency and success.
What is a Project Manager?
A project manager is a professional responsible for organizing, planning, and executing projects and managing people, tasks, schedules, and resources throughout the project lifecycle. They lead teams, define goals, determine scope, manage resources, and coordinate risk management, stakeholder communication, and project component integration.
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Salaries
Scrum Masters in the US earn an average annual salary of $113,503, showcasing their expertise in Agile methodologies and efficient project delivery. As businesses adopt Agile practices, the role of Scrum Masters remains pivotal, making it highly attractive in the job market. In India, Scrum Masters earn an average annual salary of ₹16,71,633, showcasing their proficiency in facilitating Agile methodologies and fostering collaborative work environments.
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Certification
Scrum Master and Project Manager roles often overlap, but each profession has unique certifications and career paths. Scrum Masters may pursue Agile methodologies certifications, while Project Managers may focus on comprehensive project management skills. These diverse certification paths validate expertise and guide career development in alignment with their chosen field.
Scrum Master Certification:
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM): The CSM certification offered by the Scrum Alliance focuses on fundamental principles and practices of Scrum, familiarizing individuals with the structure, team responsibilities, events, artifacts, and leadership techniques for implementing Scrum.
- Professional Scrum Master (PSM): The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification is an advanced designation for Scrum Masters seeking to enhance their effectiveness and coach a Scrum team. It is offered in three levels by Scrum.org and assesses a candidate’s understanding and application of Scrum principles. The PSM certification verifies the ability to use the Scrum framework, support Scrum Teams, and handle real-world problems.
- Scrum Master Certification (SMC): The Scrum Master Certification (SMC) is a professional training program issued by SCRUM study, covering Scrum principles, practices, team roles, events, and skills for managing and implementing Scrum in any project environment.
Project Manager Certifications:
- Project Management Professional (PMP): The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It validates project management skills and knowledge, demonstrating experience and proficiency in project leadership in all modes of operation. The certification is awarded to candidates who pass a comprehensive exam.
- Prince2 Certification: PRINCE2, or Projects in Controlled Environments, is a globally recognized certification focusing on project management. It provides a process-based method for successful project management, guiding holders through the project lifecycle stages. PRINCE2 certification verifies understanding of systematic approaches for successful projects, while the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential demonstrates experience and proficiency in project leadership in all modes of operation.
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level certification for project management professionals, preparing candidates for entry-level positions. It recognizes a candidate’s knowledge of project fundamentals, processes, frameworks, methodologies, and best practices. The CAPM certification is crucial for starting a career as a project manager, familiarizing them with every aspect of project handling, from project integration to cost, quality, and resource management.
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Differences
The roles of project manager and scrum master are very different. Project managers manage the entire project delivery process using a variety of approaches, whereas Scrum Masters concentrate on Agile processes and team facilitation.
Let’s now simplify these differences for a clear understanding and valuable conclusion.
Here’s a comparison in table format:
| Scrum Master | Project Manager |
| Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum process and ensures Agile adherence | Project Manager manages the overall project from planning to delivery |
| Scrum Master operates within the Scrum framework and is Agile-oriented | Project Manager adapts to various methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile |
| Scrum Master collaborates closely with the team, Product Owner, and stakeholders | Project Manager engages with cross-functional teams and stakeholders |
| Scrum Master ensures Scrum principles and team collaboration | While the Project Manager is responsible for the entire project lifecycle and overall project success. |
| Scrum Master facilitates team decisions | While the Project Manager holds decision-making authority |
| Scrum Master embraces change and adapts to evolving project needs | Whereas the Project Manager adapts project plans as necessary |
| Scrum Master holds certifications such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM) | While the Project Manager may have certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) and PRINCE2. |
| Scrum Master emphasizes iterative product increments | Project Manager focuses on the entire project lifecycle |
| Scrum Master’s success metrics include team productivity and collaboration | While the Project Manager aims at meeting project objectives within constraints |
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Skills
Communication, organization, and leadership are examples of communal skills that Scrum Masters and Project Managers have in common. However, unique and essential skills become the keys to achieving excellence in order to unlock success in their respective roles.
Certainly, here are seven key skills for both Scrum Masters and Project Managers:
| Scrum Master | Project Manager |
| The Scrum Master facilitates team communication | The Project Manager communicates effectively with stakeholders |
| Scrum Master empowers and guides the team | Project Manager provides strategic leadership for the project |
| Scrum Master ensures process adherence | Whereas the Project Manager efficiently manages project activities and resources |
| Scrum Master fosters an adaptive team culture | while the Project Manager adapts to changes in project scope and resources |
| The Scrum Master specializes in resolving team conflicts | Whereas the Project Manager addresses conflicts at the project level |
| Scrum Master identifies and mitigates specific Scrum risks | While the Project Manager manages project risks proactively |
| The Scrum Master collaborates with the Product Owner and stakeholders | Project Manager manages relationships with various stakeholders |
| Scrum Master facilitates team decisions | whereas the Project Manager makes strategic decisions for project success |
Scrum Master vs Project Manager Roles and Responsibility
The following are the six main ways that project managers and scrum masters differ in their roles and responsibilities:
| Scrum Master | Project Manager |
| The Scrum Master ensures the Scrum process and team collaboration | while the Project Manager manages the overall project, from planning to delivery |
| Scrum Master fosters an adaptive team culture | Whereas the Project Manager guides and leads the entire project team |
| Scrum Master focuses on short-term planning and iterative development | Project Manager manages the entire project lifecycle and sets long-term goals |
| Scrum Master collaborates closely with the Product Owner and the team | Whereas the Project Manager manages relationships with various stakeholders, sponsors, and clients |
| The Scrum Master embraces and facilitates change within the Scrum framework | While the Project Manager adapts to changes in the project scope and ensures seamless transitions |
Scrum Master vs Project Manager: Career Path
Although individuals can switch between roles based on experience, skills, and organizational opportunities, these stages represent a typical career progression. In both domains, career advancement can be supported by continuous learning and earning important certifications.
Scrum Master: we have the following career paths and salaries in India & USA
| Job Roles | ₹INR | $USD |
| Agile Program Manager | ₹27,00,000 | $138,410 |
| Senior Scrum Master | ₹21,54,000 | $140,943 |
| Agile Coach | ₹25,25,000 | $130,170 |
Project Manager: we have the following career path and salaries in India & USA
| Job Roles | ₹INR | $USD |
| Project Coordinator/Assistant | ₹4,05,500 | $52,745 |
| Project Manager | ₹22,65,000 | $99,647 |
| Senior Project Manager | ₹31,75,000 | $137,970 |
Starting a project management journey reveals two different avenues. After becoming a Scrum Team Member, people advance to become Scrum Masters, coordinating Agile procedures and developing into powerful Agile Coaches. Professionals progress from Project Coordinators to Project Managers, who are in charge of smaller projects. Reaching the position of Senior Project Manager opens doors to positions managing strategic project portfolios, such as Program Managers and, eventually, Portfolio Managers/Directors. In the dynamic fields of Scrum Mastery and Project Management, career growth is primarily driven by ongoing education and relevant certifications.
This brings us to the end of this blog on scrum master v/s project manager. I hope you have gained insights into both the scrum master and project manager. If you want to get trained in scrum master and project manager roles and want to know the latest outline, then consider the Certified Scrum Master® (CSM) Certification and Project Management Masters Program offered by Edureka.
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