Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsMedium
A Scrum Team is experiencing a conflict where two Developers have a fundamental disagreement on the best technical approach for an upcoming feature. This disagreement is causing delays and tension within the team. The Scrum Master has observed several heated exchanges. What is the MOST appropriate way for the Scrum Master to facilitate conflict resolution in this scenario?
- AFacilitate a structured discussion between the Developers, focusing on their shared goal and the pros and cons of each approach.
- BEncourage them to 'agree to disagree' and move on, as technical disagreements are common in software development.
- CSuggest they escalate the issue to a technical lead or architect for a definitive decision.
- DAssign one Developer to implement their preferred approach and the other to review it, alternating roles for future features.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Facilitate a structured discussion between the Developers, focusing on their shared goal and the pros and cons of each approach.
The Scrum Master's role includes facilitating conflict resolution within the team. By facilitating a structured discussion, the Scrum Master helps the Developers focus on their common objective (the Sprint Goal) and objectively evaluate options, empowering them to find a collaborative solution rather than imposing one.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Ignoring the conflict can lead to resentment, passive-aggressive behavior, and negatively impact team cohesion and product quality. Conflict needs to be addressed constructively.
- C. Escalating the decision undermines the team's self-management and cross-functionality, preventing them from growing in conflict resolution skills.
- D. This is an imposed solution that doesn't resolve the underlying disagreement or build the team's ability to collaborate on technical decisions.
Scrum Master as Facilitator
The Scrum Master facilitates Scrum events and the overall collaboration of the Scrum Team and its stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and decision-making.
- Helps the team find solutions to their own problems.
- Creates a safe space for open discussion and constructive conflict.
- Focuses on processes and interactions, not dictating solutions.
Memory trick: Guide to common ground, not a battleground.