A Development Team reports to the Scrum Master that they are constantly pulled into urgent, unplanned meetings by functional managers, disrupting their Sprint work and making it difficult to focus on the Sprint Goal. The Scrum Master wants to resolve this recurring issue. Which Scrum Master stance is most appropriate?
- ATeacher, by explaining to the functional managers the importance of respecting the Sprint timebox and the Development Team's focus.
- BServant Leader, by proactively creating a 'no meeting' policy for the Development Team during Sprints.
- CCoach, by helping the Development Team politely decline meeting invitations that conflict with their Sprint commitments.
- DImpediment Remover, by engaging with functional managers to understand their needs and collaboratively establish clearer communication channels and meeting protocols.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Impediment Remover, by engaging with functional managers to understand their needs and collaboratively establish clearer communication channels and meeting protocols.
The unplanned meetings are external impediments disrupting the team. As an Impediment Remover, the Scrum Master actively intervenes with external parties (functional managers) to resolve these blockers by establishing better communication and meeting protocols, thereby protecting the team's focus and Sprint Goal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Teaching is a good initial step, but the 'Impediment Remover' actively works to implement a solution rather than just explaining the problem.
- B. Creating a policy without engagement might lead to resistance and doesn't solve the underlying communication issue.
- C. While the team can learn to decline, the root cause is external pressure and lack of established protocols, which the Scrum Master, as an Impediment Remover, should address systemically.
Scrum Master as Impediment Remover (Organizational)
The Scrum Master removes impediments that originate outside the Scrum Team and require organizational-level intervention to resolve, protecting the team's ability to focus.
- Addresses external blockers.
- Works with organizational stakeholders.
- Protects team's focus and Sprint Goal.
Memory trick: The Impediment Remover clears the organizational path for the team's Sprint.