Succeeding with Agile

The ScrumMaster as Product Owner

One common consideration is whether the ScrumMaster and product owner roles should be combined. No. In the vast majority of times I’ve seen this done, the results have been disappointing. Not only does combining these roles put a lot of power in one person’s hands, but it also creates confusion for both team members and the ScrumMaster/product owner hybrid. A certain amount of tension should exist between these roles. Product owners continually want more, more, more features. ScrumMasters protect their teams by pushing back against the product owner when they feel that pushing their teams harder would be detrimental. When the roles are combined, this tension is removed.

With an eye toward full disclosure, I feel ...