The Scrum Team is the powerhouse behind creating viable products in the modern digital world. The team’s efficiency and success largely rely on the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of its members. In some instances, there may be gaps or missing skills in a team, leading to challenges in product development. Teams can leverage various strategies to fill in these skills or capabilities gaps and ensure the successful creation of products.
Identification of Missing Skills
Before embarking on strategies to fill in missing skills, the first step is to identify these skills gaps. This process often requires the collaborative involvement of the entire team.
Scrum Masters should start by conducting skills audits for their teams. This is a thorough evaluation of each team member’s skills, expertise, and capabilities. The Scrum Master can use tools like performance reports, tests, surveys, and interviews to collect this information. The findings can then be mapped against the skills needed to achieve the team’s objectives.
For example, if a team’s upcoming project requires advanced programming knowledge that none of the team members possess, this identifies a skills gap that needs to be addressed.
Strategies to Fill in Missing Skills or Capabilities
Once the gaps have been identified, teams can utilize various strategies to fill them. Here are some common and effective strategies:
- On-the-Job Training: If the skills gap involves a skill that the team members can learn while doing their jobs, on-the-job training presents a helpful solution. The Scrum Master can organize training sessions where professionals instruct the team members on the necessary skills needed to meet their objectives. The training might be a one-off session or a series of sessions, depending on the complexity of the skill.
- Role Rotation: This strategy involves relocating team members from their usual roles into different ones in order to gain insight into various aspects of the project. By doing this, members can learn new skills and provide a fresh perspective to the team.
- Hiring External Talent: In situations where the skill needed is too complex for current team members to learn within a reasonable time, hiring external talent might be the best solution. This way, the team directly acquires the required skills.
- Collaborating with Other Teams: Another viable strategy to fill in missing skills is by collaborating with other teams within the organization. A team that possesses the needed skills can be combined with the existing team for a specified period.
- E-Learning: This strategy involves subscribing to online classes that offer the missing skills. It is ideal for skills that aren’t urgently required as learning can take some time.
The Scrum Master can make use of the following table to compare the different strategies:
| Strategy | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| On-the-Job Training | Provides practical learning, Immediacy | May affect work schedules |
| Role Rotation | Creates diversity of skills, Enhance team bonding | May affect productivity |
| Hiring External Talent | Skills acquisition is fast, Brings in fresh ideas | Can be expensive, May result in skill redundancy |
| Collaborating with Other Teams | Enhances collaboration, No extra costs | May result in conflicts |
| E-Learning | Convenient, Affordable | Takes time, Self-discipline required |
Conclusion
Filling in missing skills or gaps within a Scrum Team forms the foundation for successful product creation. Each strategy has its own advantages and drawbacks, and the choice of a suitable one depends on the specific skills gap, the project deadline, and the resources available. The Scrum Master plays an essential role in ensuring that the chosen strategy is implemented effectively to bridge the skills gap and enhance team performance.
Practice Test
True or False: It is always efficient to hire externally whenever the Scrum Team lacks certain skills or capabilities.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While hiring externally can sometimes bring new expertise into the team, it is not always the immediate answer. It could also be beneficial to focus on upskilling the existing team, encouraging self-organization and continuous learning.
Which of the following strategies effectively fills in missing capabilities in a Scrum team?
- A) Encourage Cross Training
- B) Provide regular training sessions
- C) Create a diverse team
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: All options contribute to filling in the missing capabilities in a Scrum team. Encouraging cross-training allows the team members to learn other skills. Providing training sessions keeps the team’s skills up to date while creating a diverse team brings in a wide range of skills and experiences.
What is the importance of having a diverse Scrum Team?
- A) It narrows the thinking process of the team.
- B) It increases collaboration and innovation.
- C) It diminishes the efficiency of the team.
Answer: B
Explanation: A diverse team, with varied backgrounds and experiences, tends to increase collaboration and innovation, bringing forth different perspectives which can contribute to novel solutions.
True or False: A Scrum team should only focus on present project skills and ignore potential future project skills.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Scrum Teams should be prepared for any future needs. This can be achieved by encouraging continuous learning to adjacently cover other potential capabilities other than the present project skills.
Which of these is an effective strategy to fill skills and capabilities gaps within the Scrum Team?
- A) Rely only on online courses
- B) Limit team members to their existing roles and expertise
- C) Encourage continuous self-development and learning
Answer: C
Explanation: Encouraging continuous self-development and learning allows team members to constantly update themselves with new skills and stay ahead of any proficiency gaps that may arise.
Upskilling in a Scrum team should be a(n) _______ effort.
- A) Individual
- B) Team
- C) External
Answer: B
Explanation: Upskilling or learning new skills should be a team effort in a scrum environment. This promotes a collective skill base and diversity in the team’s capability.
True or False: A Scrum team does not need to review their skills and capabilities periodically.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A Scrum team should consistently review its skills and capabilities to identify any gaps and formulate a plan for skills improvement.
The Scrum team should promote a _______
- A) Culture of continuous learning
- B) Fixed mindset and skill set
- C) Dependence on external training
Answer: A
Explanation: A Scrum team should promote a culture of continuous learning to ensure that they are always ready to take on new challenges with the necessary skills.
True or False: Scrum teams should heavily rely on external resources to keep themselves updated.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While external resources can help, it is more beneficial for Scrum teams to participate actively in their own learning and development, through practices like cross-training, workshops, and self-learning.
Which of these is not a way to increase the skillset diversity within a Scrum team?
- A) Self-organization
- B) Cross-training
- C) Over specialization
Answer: C
Explanation: While specialization allows a deep understanding of one’s field, over-specialization can lead to a lack of diversity in skills and capabilities within a Scrum team. Instead, Scrum encourages cross-training and self-organization.
Interview Questions
What methods can the Scrum team use to identify missing skills or capabilities?
The Scrum team can use several methods to identify missing skills or capabilities. These include regular team self-assessments, feedback from stakeholders, performance metrics, and output of the sprint retrospective.
What’s the role of the ScrumMaster in filling in missing skills or capabilities in the team?
The ScrumMaster facilitates the process of skill gap identification and plans for training or hiring to fill these gaps. They aid team members in acquiring needed skills, providing guidance as needed.
What is strategic talent management in terms of Scrum framework?
Strategic talent management involves ensuring that the Scrum team’s current and future talent needs are met. This includes identifying missing skills and strategizing on how to fill these gaps.
What is one common approach to fill a skill gap in a Scrum team?
One common approach is to provide training and development opportunities for current team members in the areas where there are skill shortages. This can be done through online courses, workshops, certifications, etc.
What is the benefit of rotating roles within the Scrum team to fill skill gaps?
It helps in cross-skilling, ensuring skill redundancy, and bolstering the team’s resilience when facing unexpected situations or changes.
How can outsourcing be used as a strategy to fill in missing skills or capabilities?
When a specific skill or capability isn’t available within the team and training isn’t feasible or time-effective, the ScrumMaster may consider outsourcing that task to a specialist or another team who possesses the needed skills.
How can the concept of “T-shaped” individuals help in filling the skill gaps in a Scrum team?
T-shaped individuals are those with broad knowledge across all areas and deep knowledge in one or a few areas. Promoting T-shaped individuals within a Scrum team can ensure that all necessary roles and functions are understood and can be filled by multiple members if needed.
How does mentoring contribute to fill in missing skills or capabilities in the Scrum team?
Mentoring, whether internally or externally, helps in transferring knowledge and skills from a person with expertise to one with a skill gap. It’s a personal and effective way to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.
What is the aim of a ‘skills matrix’ in a Scrum team?
The aim of a ‘skills matrix’ is to map the skills and knowledge within a team, identify any areas where there are gaps or weaknesses, and plan for training or recruitment to fill these gaps.
How can hiring be used effectively as a strategy to fill in missing skills or capabilities?
Hiring can be used effectively by ensuring the recruitment process focuses on the particular skills and capabilities needed. The ScrumMaster should work closely with HR to ensure new hires meet the precise needs of the team.
What is the role of Sprint retrospective in identifying skill gaps?
During the Sprint retrospective, the team reflects on the previous sprint, identifying what went well and what didn’t. This will help identify any skill gaps that may have resulted in impediments or inefficient work processes.
How does encouraging continual learning help in coping with missing skills or capabilities?
Encouraging continual learning fosters an environment where team members constantly upgrade their skills and learn new ones. This adaptability ensures the team can fill in skills or capability gaps in the future.
Can regular 1-on-1 meetings help in identifying missing skills or capabilities?
Yes, regular 1-on-1 meetings between the ScrumMaster and each team member can help identify personal development areas and potential skill gaps within the team.
How does good communication play a role in filling missing skills or capabilities?
Good communication fosters an open environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their struggles or shortcomings. This open information sharing leads to better visibility of skill gaps which can then be addressed.
Can the Scrum values help a team in filling missing skills or capabilities?
Yes, the Scrum values of Courage, Focus, Commitment, Respect, and Openness encourages team members to acknowledge and address their weaknesses, thereby identifying skill gaps and working towards filling them.
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