Achieving Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) status is crucial for individuals who aspire to lead agile projects with dexterity. One of the fundamental skills these individuals need to master is the application of appropriate coaching techniques in different interventions. In pairs, we’ll explore this concept, highlighting two coaching models: the GROW and OSCAR models.
GROW Coaching Model
The acronym GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will, representing the sequence of a coaching session.
Goal
The first step in this coaching model is setting a clear and concise goal. It’s making sure that a coachee, in this scenario a scrum team member, understands what they need to accomplish.
Example: The goal can be “Improve the completion rate of sprint deliverables.”
Reality
The next step is to measure the present situation against the set goal to establish the gap that exists. This insight gives a clear picture of the needed improvements.
Example: The team currently completes only 60% of the sprint deliverables.
Options
After determining the reality, the next move is to brainstorm ways to close the gap between the current reality and the set goal.
Example: Options can comprise “Dividing tasks into smaller units,” “Improving cooperation among team members,” or “Increasing sprint planning efficiency.”
Will
The final stage in this model is to select the best options and commit to implement them to achieve the set goal.
Example: The team decides to divide tasks into smaller units and to improve sprint planning.
As a Scrum Master, employing the GROW model equips you with a structured process for identifying, discussing, and addressing areas that need improvement within a Scrum team.
OSCAR Coaching Model
While GROW emphasise on setting and achieving goals, the OSCAR model emphasizes the end result (the solution or Outcome).
Outcome
This corresponds to the ‘Goal’ step of the GROW model. It sets the target for what needs to be achieved.
Example: The desired outcome could be a 20% increase in sprint deliverables.
Situation
This step assesses the current state, similar to the ‘Reality’ stage in the GROW model.
Example: The team currently misses its sprint commitments frequently, causing projects to go over time and over budget.
Choices
This phase involves considering different solutions to reach the stated outcome. It correlates with the ‘Options’ stage in the GROW approach.
Example: Choices can range from getting additional training for team members, improving the project planning process, to restructuring the team.
Actions
It’s the resolution phase in which the best solutions from ‘Choices’ are selected and put into action. It corresponds to the ‘Will’ phase of the GROW model.
Example: The decision might be to undertake team development sessions and improvement of the planning process.
Review
OSCAR adds an additional step ‘Review’ where actions are evaluated against the desired outcome.
Example: Did the chosen actions result in an increase in sprint deliverables?
The application of the OSCAR model permits a Scrum Master to guide a team through goal setting, problem-solving and critical thinking to performance improvement while focusing on positive solutions and actions.
In summary, both the GROW and OSCAR coaching techniques are ideal tools for an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM). They provide a structured and result-oriented approach to manage team performance in different interventions, thereby fostering Agile Principles and Scrum Framework.
Practice Test
True or False: When applying coaching techniques in Scrum, it’s essential to focus on coaching the team, not individuals.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While coaching the entire team is crucial, it’s also important to remember that every individual has unique needs. Therefore, Scrum Masters may need to provide individual coaching in some cases.
Multiple Select: Which of these are beneficial reasons to apply coaching in Scrum Framework?
- A. Enhance team performance
- B. Improve communication and collaboration
- C. To gain higher authority over the team
- D. Promote self-organization
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Coaching techniques in Scrum are geared toward improving the collective performance of the team, enhancing communication, and promoting self-organization within the team. They are not intended to give the Scrum Master higher authority over the team.
Single Select: Who is primarily responsible for providing coaching within a Scrum team?
- A. Product Owner
- B. Scrum Master
- C. Team members
- D. Stakeholders
Answer: B. Scrum Master
Explanation: The Scrum Master’s role includes coaching the team, helping them understand and follow the principles and values of Scrum.
True or False: In Scrum, any coaching intervention should always solve the team’s problem directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The aim of coaching in Scrum is to guide the team towards finding their own solutions rather than fixing problems for them.
Single Select: Which coaching style involves asking powerful questions to stimulate creativity and self-discovery?
- A. Directive coaching
- B. Facilitative coaching
- C. Autocratic coaching
- D. Democratic coaching
Answer: B. Facilitative coaching
Explanation: Facilitative coaching focuses on asking powerful questions to catalyze creativity, self-discovery, and ensure ownership of learning for the coachee.
Multiple Select: Effective coaching in Scrum can result in –
- A. Enhanced team synergy
- B. Improved problem-solving skills
- C. High dependency on Scrum Master
- D. Improved team velocity
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Effective coaching should ideally lead to improved team synergy, problem-solving skills and team velocity. It should not increase dependency on the Scrum Master.
True or False: One of the main roles of a coach in a Scrum environment is to provide answers to all the problems faced by the team.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A coach’s role in a Scrum environment is to facilitate solutions, not provide the answers.
Single Select: Which intervention technique allows team members to voice their frustrations in a safe and controlled manner?
- A. Open Discussion
- B. Sprint planning
- C. Retrospective
- D. Daily Scrum
Answer: C. Retrospective
Explanation: The purpose of a retrospective is to provide an opportunity for the team to reflect on the recent sprint and voice any frustrations or ideas they have in a safe environment.
True or False: Telling is an effective coaching technique for scrum teams.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Telling is not an effective coaching technique. Instead, a Scrum Master should guide and facilitate the team to self-discover solutions to their problems.
Single Select: Which of the following coaching techniques involves diving deep into a topic to gain better clarity and understanding?
- A. Deep Dive
- B. Telling
- C. Asking
- D. Demonstrating
Answer: A. Deep Dive
Explanation: A ‘Deep Dive’ is a coaching technique that allows for a detailed exploration of a particular topic, issue or challenge to gain better clarity and understanding.
Multiple Select: Coaching techniques in Scrum should focus on promoting?
- A. Command and control
- B. Self-organization
- C. Scrum Processes
- D. Coach’s authority
Answer: B, C
Explanation: In Scrum, effective coaching techniques should focus on promoting team self-organization and guiding the team to better understand and implement Scrum processes. They should not promote a command and control approach or enhance coach’s authority.
Interview Questions
What is coaching in the context of Scrum?
In the context of Scrum, coaching refers to a Scrum Master enabling and helping the development team and product owner to understand and implement Scrum practices. They educate and guide the team and organization on how to reach their goals using the Scrum framework.
What is an intervention in Scrum?
An intervention in Scrum is any action taken by the Scrum Master to help remove obstacles that prevent the team from achieving their goals. This can include facilitating communication, resolving conflicts, or assisting with implementing Scrum methods effectively.
What could be an example of an intervention in the Scrum process?
An example of an intervention could be a Scrum Master noticing that daily stand-ups are consistently running over time. The Scrum Master could intervene by helping the team understand the purpose of these meetings and teaching them how to keep to the timebox.
What is an appropriate coaching technique for an intervention where a team is consistently missing their sprint goals?
An appropriate coaching technique could be to facilitate a retrospective where the team discusses the reasons for not meeting the sprint goals. The Scrum Master could guide the team to identify process improvements or changes to their way of working that could enhance their chances of meeting future sprint goals.
What is the ‘GROW’ model in coaching?
The ‘GROW’ model stands for Goals, Reality, Options, and Will. It’s a coaching technique used to help individuals and teams understand their Goals, assess their current Reality, identify various Options to reach their goal, and decide the Will or commitment to take action.
When might you apply the ‘GROW’ model in Scrum?
A Scrum Master could apply the ‘GROW’ model during retrospectives or when working with individual team members to develop their skills or resolve blocks.
What is a powerful question in Scrum Coaching?
Powerful questions are open-ended queries that prompt the respondent to reflect, explore, challenge their assumptions, and stimulate innovative thinking. They are typically thought-provoking and allow the individual or team to come up with their own solutions.
Can you provide an example of a powerful question a Scrum Master may use?
An example of a powerful question could be, “What do you think is the biggest obstacle preventing our team from reaching our sprint goals, and how might we overcome it?”
What is the purpose of using powerful questions during coaching?
Powerful questions foster thought and self-discovery, which helps teams and individuals identify solutions to their problems. They encourage communication within the team and help the Scrum Master understand the team’s perspective.
What is an appropriate coaching technique for an intervention where there is a conflict within the team?
If there’s conflict in the team, a useful coaching technique is to facilitate conflict resolution. The Scrum Master could initiate a private conversation with the conflicted parties to understand the situation, discuss different viewpoints, and help them find a mutually acceptable solution. They could also promote a culture of open conversation within the team, where everyone can express their thoughts freely and respectfully.
What is ‘Socratic questioning’ in coaching Scrum teams?
Socratic questioning is a form of disciplined questioning that encourages critical thinking and idea generation. It’s used by Scrum Masters in coaching situations to help team members analyze a given situation, problem or process more deeply, step by step, and to find solutions.
When is it appropriate to use a direct style of coaching in Scrum?
A direct style of coaching is appropriate in Scrum when a team or individual is new to the Scrum framework or when certain practices are not being followed correctly. This involves the Scrum Master giving direct advice and instructions.
Where is non-directive coaching most effective in Scrum?
Non-directive coaching is most effective in situations where the team is mature, experienced and self-organizing. This method works on the belief that the team itself holds the keys to solving their problems or improving their performance, and the Scrum Master acts more as a facilitator of this self-discovery process.
What is appreciative inquiry coaching style?
Appreciative inquiry is a coaching style that focuses on what’s working well in a team and understanding how those successful elements can be utilized to improve other areas. It involves discovering what gives life to a team when it is most effective and productive, and analyzing how these positive elements can be replicated or augmented.
When is appreciative inquiry coaching appropriate to use in Scrum?
The Appreciative Inquiry coaching technique could be used during retrospectives or when the team has successfully achieved a sprint goal. It helps the team recognize what they did well and how those successful elements can be used in future sprints. It’s a positive approach that enhances team morale and motivation.
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