TL;DR: In a Scrum team there are three roles: The Product Owner determines what to build, the Scrum team determines how to build it, and the Scrum Master facilitates and coaches the team. Do you like making things with your hands? Become a Developer. Do you have a product vision? Become a Product Owner. Do you enjoy coaching? Become a Scrum Master.
Key takeaway: Choose the right Scrum role based on your personality and interests, not based on your current job title.
Scrum team member, Product Owner or Scrum Master?
We regularly get asked: which Scrum training should I take? Our answer? It depends on which role best fits your interests and personality. So the real question is: which Scrum role suits me best?
In a core Scrum team there are three different roles: Scrum Master, Scrum Product Owner, and Scrum team members (Developers). The Product Owner determines together with the customer what to build and with what priority. The Scrum team then determines based on that input how to build it and plans the work. And the Scrum Master facilitates and coaches the team and ensures everyone follows the Scrum process.
The Scrum Developer (Team Member)
Do you enjoy actually making something and are you a specialist in a specific area? Then chances are you'll thrive as a Scrum team member.
Suits you if you:
- Enjoy hands-on work
- Have technical or domain expertise
- Want to collaborate in a team
- Value quality and craftsmanship
- Like to determine how you approach your work
The Product Owner
Do you find it challenging to represent the customer and do you have a clear vision of what needs to be built? Then the Product Owner role might be perfect for you.
Suits you if you:
- Can determine vision and strategy
- Are good at prioritizing
- Can manage stakeholders
- Understand business value
- Dare to make decisions
The Scrum Master
If you enjoy facilitating people as a servant leader and are more interested in the project as a process, then you might make an excellent Scrum Master.
Suits you if you:
- Enjoy helping and coaching people
- Are good at facilitation
- See process improvements
- Can remove obstacles
- Have a servant leadership style
Take the quiz
If you're interested in exploring this and considering a role as Scrum Master or Product Owner, try the short quiz > here < that will help you on your way.
Discover your role with a training
Want to learn more about these roles? Check out our trainings:
Written by
Merijn Visman
Certified Scrum Trainer
For over 15 years, I have been helping professionals and organizations work more effectively with Agile and Scrum. My trainings are practical, interactive, and immediately applicable in your daily work.
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