Understanding the fundamental coaching assumptions in Scrum Mastery is vital in the journey towards obtaining your Certified ScruM Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) examination. This article will centre on two assumptions that are basic yet essential in Scrum coaching practice:
- Every team member is creative, resourceful and whole
- Coaching is more about encouraging solutions rather than providing them
Every team member is creative, resourceful, and whole
The first premise stresses that all team members possess inherent creativity, are resourceful, and are whole as individuals. This presupposition is fundamental as it shapes the way a ScrumMaster interacts with team members. It boosts a sense of trust towards the team members’ abilities and capabilities, which in turn fosters a sense of self-management and self-organization, both of which are fundamental principles in Scrum.
As an example, consider a Scrum team facing impediments in a project. The ScrumMaster, following this coaching assumption, does not intervene immediately. Instead, the ScrumMaster allows the team to brainstorm and figure out potential solutions. If the team successfully resolves the obstacle, this paves the way for a learning experience and boosts the team’s confidence.
This principle does not imply that teams don’t need coaching or guidance. Instead, this principle directs the ScrumMaster’s focus on unrestrictedly facilitating, fostering an environment whereby the team can harness its creativity and resourcefulness.
| Assumption | Implication |
|---|---|
| Every team member is creative, resourceful, and whole | Fosters self-management and self-organization |
Coaching is more about encouraging solutions rather than providing them
The second fundamental coaching assumption emphasizes the ScrumMaster’s role as a facilitator, not a problem solver. While the ScrumMaster may have expertise and might quickly solve particular problems, the coaching approach should be about guiding the team in finding solutions.
For instance, if a team struggles to meet their deadlines, a ScrumMaster might identify several hindrances to productivity. However, instead of dictating solutions, the ScrumMaster might facilitate a retrospective meeting where he/she guides the team in identifying their challenges and finding proactive solutions.
When the ScrumMaster provides solutions, team members may start to rely on the ScrumMaster and lose the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills. More so, dictating solutions disregards the first assumption highlighting that team members are inventive, resourceful, and complete.
| Assumption | Implication |
|---|---|
| Coaching is more about encouraging solutions rather than providing them | Facilitates continuous learning and problem-solving skills within the team |
In conclusion, these two coaching premises shape the way a ScrumMaster perceives and engages with the team. Acknowledging that every team member is inventive and resourceful fosters an environment of trust and encourages self-management and self-organization. Additionally, understanding that coaching is more about guiding the team to solutions rather than dictating solutions encourages continuous learning and problem solving in the team. These assumptions dictates how a ScrumMaster facilitates the Scrum practices while fostering a dynamic, self-sufficient Scrum development team.
Practice Test
True or False: The fundamental coaching assumption of “People are naturally creative, resourceful and whole” means that people are always capable of finding solutions to their problems and don’t need help from anyone.
- Answer: True
Explanation: This fundamental assumption implies that people can find their own solutions in their own ways if given a conducive environment, thus a coach’s primary job is to enable this environment.
Multiple Choice: Which of these is a crucial coaching assumption?
- a. People always need external push for change
- b. People are naturally broken and require fixing
- c. People are the experts in their own lives
Answer: c. People are the experts in their own lives
Explanation: Fundamental coaching assumptions focus on the inherent potential and capability of people, and this assumption empowers the individual considering they know their problems and potential solutions best.
True or False: The ScrumMaster can, at times, invalidate a critical coaching assumption while interacting with the team.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Maintaining the integrity of fundamental coaching assumptions like respect, trust, and belief in individual’s potential is key to the role of ScrumMaster.
Multiple Choice: Why is the assumption “Change is driven from inside” essential in coaching?
- a. It places the burden of change solely on the individual
- b. It empowers the individual, assisting them in seeing the power they possess to direct their course
- c. It allows the coach to pass off responsibility
Answer: b. It empowers the individual, assisting them in seeing the power they possess to direct their course
Explanation: This assumption promotes self-belief and helps the individual see that they have the power and the capacity to bring change in their life or work.
True or False: Trusting that people are doing their best is an integral part of effective coaching.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Trusting that people are doing their best is indeed a fundamental assumption in coaching, it helps in building a positive and enabling environment.
Multiple Choice: The responsibility for the outcomes of the coaching process rests with:
- a. The coach entirely
- b. The individual or the team being coached
- c. Both the coach and the individual or the team
Answer: b. The individual or the team being coached
Explanation: As per the fundamental coaching assumptions, the coach acts as a facilitator while the responsibility lies with the individual or team.
True or False: If a person is not able to come up with a solution to his/her problem, the coach should step in and provide the solution.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Respect for the individual’s creativity and resourcefulness is paramount in coaching. The coach’s role is to question, challenge and support, not to provide solutions.
Multiple Choice: Inherent in the coaching relationship is an abundance of:
- a. Answers from the coach
- b. Respect and Trust
- c. Co-dependency
Answer: b. Respect and Trust
Explanation: The coaching relationship is based on a firm foundation of mutual respect and trust, which is crucial for any productive and successful interaction.
True or False: Judgement is an essential part of the coaching process.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Coaching is a non-judgemental process, involving understanding, communication, respect and trust instead of judgements.
Multiple Choice: The primary role of a coach is to:
- a. Provide solutions and fix problems
- b. Facilitate the self-discovery process
- c. Both a and b
Answer: b. Facilitate the self-discovery process
Explanation: The coach’s role aligns with the fundamental coaching assumptions and is to facilitate the individual or team’s self-discovery, growth and solutions, rather than solving problems for them.
Interview Questions
What is the importance of the assumption that individuals are naturally creative and resourceful in the context of Scrum coaching?
This assumption is central to coaching as it pushes Scrum coaches towards facilitating self-discovery and problem-solving among team members rather than prescribing solutions. It means that team members have their unique strengths and insights which, when properly harnessed, can lead to high performing, innovative team.
What is the significant implication of the second fundamental assumption about the whole being greater than the parts?
The assumption emphasized the collaborative nature of Scrum teams. It implies that the team’s collective synergy, creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving capacities exceed the summation of individual constituents. This mindset shapes the coach’s approach towards team dynamics, fostering collaboration and collective decision-making within the team.
How does the fundamental coaching assumption that people are capable of self-organization influence the role of a Scrum coach?
The assumption influences the Scrum coach to emphasize encouragement, enablement, and empowerment rather than providing ‘command-and-control’ style direction. It underlines the importance of team members taking responsibility for their work and creating their own processes, leading to increased autonomy and improved performance.
Do the fundamental coaching assumptions have any impact on the Scrum values?
Yes, they do. The assumptions that people are inherently creative, resourceful, and capable of self-organization closely aligns with the Scrum values of respect, openness, and commitment. They foster a culture of trust where team members feel respected, leading to a more open and committed team.
Can you explain how the fundamental coaching assumption that people are capable of self-organization aligns with agile principles?
The agile principle “The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.” strongly aligns with this assumption. A coach who believes in the team’s capacity for self-organization enables them to achieve their best work by providing necessary support and stepping back to let the team find their own solutions.
How does the belief in individuals’ creativity and resourcefulness influence the interaction between the Scrum coach and the team?
The belief influences the Scrum coach to act more as a facilitator and less as a taskmaster. The coach’s role evolves into creating an environment that nurtures creativity and resourcefulness, helps identify each team member’s unique strengths, encourages brainstorming and empowers team members to solve their own problems.
How does the assumption of individuals being naturally creative and resourceful influence the creation of a product backlog?
This assumption influences the product backlog creation as the Product owner and development team together identify and refine backlog items. This collaborative effort leverages the creativity and resourcefulness of the team, fostering innovative and valuable backlog items.
How does valuing the ‘whole as greater than the sum of its parts’ impact decision-making in a Scrum context?
This assumption emphasizes collective decision-making in a Scrum context. It underpins the Scrum principle that decisions concerning the work should be made by those who perform the work, often resulting in decisions that better reflect the knowledge, experience, and creativity of the entire team.
What’s the importance of accepting and working with the current situation when coaching a Scrum team?
Accepting and working with the current situation helps the coach to understand the team’s current state, its strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas of improvement. It aids in building a coaching strategy that is customized to the team’s specific context, thereby facilitating more effective coaching.
How does the assumption of individuals being both creative and resourceful inform how issues and conflicts are dealt with in a Scrum context?
It guides the Scrum coach to encourage and enable team members to come up with their own solutions to issues and conflicts rather than prescribing or imposing solutions. This fosters team ownership, enhances problem-solving skills, and can lead to more innovative and effective solutions.
How does the belief of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, impact the development of new features in a Scrum environment?
This belief encourages a collaborative approach to feature development. It implies that the collective collaboration and creativity of the Scrum team can lead to more innovative and effective feature development than could be achieved by individuals working in isolation.
How would a coach believing in the natural creativity and resourcefulness of individuals impact sprint planning?
The coach, believing in the team’s creativity and resourcefulness, would foster an environment where every team member feels free to voice their ideas during sprint planning. This enhances the collective planning process, optimizes task allotment based on strengths and competencies, and may lead to a more efficient and realistic sprint plan.
How does the understanding of ‘the whole being greater than the sum of its parts’ influence the Sprint Review?
This understanding promotes a shared reflection on the increment produced and the process followed. A collective Sprint Review helps to gather diverse perspectives, leading to comprehensive insight and constructive feedback on the achieved increment and the overall Sprint that benefits the team’s future performance.
How does the fundamental belief in an individual’s creative and resourceful essence influence the Daily Scrum?
This belief influences the coach to let the team self-organize the Daily Scrum, encouraging open communication and creative problem-solving. The Daily Scrum becomes an avenue for team members to actively discuss their progress and challenges and collaboratively find solutions.
How does the assumption about the whole being greater than its parts influence the Scrum Retrospective?
It promotes collective participation and shared responsibility in reflecting and improving the team’s practices. The assumption leads to a more holistic reflection on past Sprints, fostering shared insights and collaborative action plans for future improvements, thereby making the Retrospective a powerful instrument for continuous improvement.
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