Project Manager vs Scrum Master | Which is RIGHT for You?!

Project Manager vs Scrum Master... which is the RIGHT career path for you?
When I was starting in my career, I had so many questions about the difference between a Project Manager and a Scrum Master. Today, I’m sharing my biggest insights to help you decide which is right for you… being a Project Manager vs a Scrum Master? What are the responsibility differences between a Scrum Master vs Project Manager, and are they the same roles? Watch today’s video to find out!

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ABOUT THE VIDEO - Alvin reviews the difference between a Project Manager vs Scrum Master. What are the role differences between a Scrum Master vs Project Manager? What are the different responsibilities between a Project Manager vs Scrum Master?

ATTRIBUTES:
Stock images from Pixabay.

Music Credits
-Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[alvinthepmofficial]

💡Don't forget to SMASH the Like button if you gained value out of this video! Leave me a comment below - which role are you pursuing, and what do you think is the biggest difference between a Project Manager and a Scrum Master?

[RealJonSarge]

Im working as a PM right now ( my first official PM position): I have been responsible for checking in with the team, making sure the tickets in Jira are updated and current. I have been backlog grooming and getting feedback from our Dev team and our Design team. Sending out bi-weekly updates to stake holders and team on their progress.

I think right now this PM role I have, is being a bit both both the scrum master, and Project manager.

Right now we are doing week long sprints and its been a mish mash of both roles. Its definitely anxiety inducing but I really like helping the team get their work done. I have to set up a backlog grooming session next week and it will be my first one! wish me luck!

[reggiewaysama]

I've been a PM for over 4yrs now, I'm not too skilled on this role yet. But for me what project manager does on their day to day life is overseeing projects, making sure tasks are completed on the agreed schedules. Filter requests from clients and translate them into an actionable tasks and prioritize them base on their urgency.

[parthamodkar]

I recently completed my scrum master certification and planning to do CAPM certification as well. I recently got a job as a PM and I think as a PM the there are more options in the job market as well and it’s rewarding career than scrum master in long term.

[AdalydGracia]

If you took the PMP, it would be great to have the PMP ACP more oriented to the Agile mindset spectum. I have more than seven certifications from Alliance and still think the ACP covers more (overall speaking). Excellent video

[manjunathams]

Please make a video on Project manager vs product manager. Highly confused to choose from. I want to have a longer career path and great learning though out. Thank you!

Try to cover role requirements, eligibility, career path and salary trends

[Mark-scbu]

Great video, but I've some observations playing Devil's Advocate. I think one of the biggest difference between PM and Scrum Master is that PM is accountable for the deliverables at each stage of the project, whereas the Scrum Master is not accountable for anything - that 'honour' goes to the Product Owner. PMs can cut their teeth on small projects and build up experience and knowledge; the PM progression is pretty linear, and as long as the project success criteria aren't fiddled, it's pretty clear when a PM has successfully delivered a project and is ready to move on to something bigger. I don't think that's the case with the Scrum Master role.

I agree with your definition of the Scrum Master role theoretically, but saying what that role *should* do within an organisation and then putting those principles into actual practice, are two ENTIRELY different things. Unfortunately, there are way too many examples of the Scrum Master role warping into a glorified meeting organiser. This is certainly one of the big complaints by Developers of Scrum Masters, that they fill the Devs diaries with endless meetings - I've heard of Devs being expected to attend 13 hours of meetings per week! If you're spending approaching 30% of a normal working week in meetings as a Dev then there is something very wrong! I believe that there is substantial evidence to suggest that in far too many organisations the Agile/Scrum methodology is no longer a means to an end (successful product delivery as per your stated criteria), but has become the means in and of itself - bloated and self serving. Hence why you see so many articles saying that Agile/Scrum is broken and that Devs now hate Agile/Scrum, and that in the past 12 months 70% of large organisations have at least one failed IT project on their books - 70% in

I honestly believe that the quality of Scrum Master you are describing takes a good 3-5 years to develop and even then only in the right environments, but too many businesses think that just because someone has a piece of paper that 'certifies' them in the theory, this means they will be able to deliver in practice. This is simply not the case. It is not possible to internalise and implement all the facets of coaching and leadership you describe unless you have significant project experience. There are far too many rubbish courses churning out 'paper' Scrum Masters who have been fed the bullsh!t line that just because they've done a course they will know what to do, but when they start work in a business they don't have any depth of knowledge and resort to becoming a glorified secretary. Of course, this is just my opinion; I'd be really interested in yours or any other opinions.

This video was very helpful! Thank you!

[reshupathak]

This video is really helpful and very well explained . Thanks

[BaldAndCurious]

Got it Alvin. Scrum master it is then! 🙂The roles just matches my personality and values.

[willburn]

I'm just starting my PMP with no real PM experience. I know a PM is like the machine operator, the core team is the machine and you're just supposed to keep it greased and running smoothly.

[muthuraj]

Hi I have been working as team leader in one of manufacturing industry can i move to as scrummaster. is it possible to survive or crack the interview as scrum master in IT ? Where do I start from ? I don't have any knowledge in IT..

[slimgoody]

Thank you sir for sharing this. I’m kinda up at arms with my decision to be a PM or a SM. I work for a financial institution/bank but not necessary in retail. Studying for a an IT cert currently but once completed I am moving forward with one of the two careers you just discussed. Would it be more advantageous to pursue PM if I’m looking to move into an IT related career?

[emilyspradlin]

PMs manage the epics or features from a cost, time, and scope perspective, and the Scrum Master manages tasks, spikes, and bugs.

[DeJountae]

Which would you say is more in demand these days?

[JeetVatz]

Hi, I'm working in banking operations like AML/KYC process and willing to switch off my career to Project Manager/Scrum master. As I don't have much tech knowledge except jira, power point, excel, which career would be better fit for starting with?

[agomonipaul]

From a developer which role will be beneficial: PM or scrum master?

[Alpha-Scythe]

Alvin, would it be wise or recommended to learn technical skills on YouTube first before obtaining a certification? Example would be Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, Excel etc. especially for someone like myself with no experience?

[derrickdavis]

Good information. Great presentation. Very poor audio; either get a new microphone or modify in post. Thanks for sharing; Subscribed.

[safetybuddy]

My desired salary is $300, 000 a year
Not there yet👀