An Anti-Pattern is a recurring pattern that frequently shows up, where the behaviour creates new problems somewhere else in the system. Example: the common practice of MicroManagement allows the MicroManager to feel like they’re maintaining control, yet their control reduces self-organization, creates disengagement, slows decision-making etc. So even though the MicroManager feels like they’re in control, their behaviour is damaging the system they’re part of.
Even the ScrumMaster can join in the AntiPattern fun:
- Doesn’t understand self-organization and so gives orders to the Team
- Doesn’t coach the Product Owner and so the Team continues to work without a Product Vision or Strategy
- ScrumMaster Role is combined with the Product Owner role – the roles have different focuses and skill sets. Few people are skilled in both Coaching a team and also bringing a Product to life
- Scrum Parent – ScrumMaster solves all the team’s problems for them
- Facilitator only – not realizing there is more to the role; the ScrumMaster facilitates meetings but puts no effort into coaching
MicroManagement is just one of the many general Agile Anti Patterns that we document.
Resource Links:
- 3 Common Scrum Anti-Patterns and How to Fix Them
- Scrum Master Anti-Patterns
- Scrum Master Anti Patterns: Beware of Becoming a Scrum Mom (or Scrum Pop)
- ScrumMaster Antipatterns That Every ScrumMaster Must Understand
- Understanding the anti-patterns of a Scrum Master
- When the Scrum Master Role is Set Up to Be an Anti-Pattern
See Also:
Mark Levison has been helping Scrum teams and organizations with Agile, Scrum and Kanban style approaches since 2001. From certified scrum master training to custom Agile courses, he has helped well over 8,000 individuals, earning him respect and top rated reviews as one of the pioneers within the industry, as well as a raft of certifications from the ScrumAlliance. Mark has been a speaker at various Agile Conferences for more than 20 years, and is a published Scrum author with eBooks as well as articles on InfoQ.com, ScrumAlliance.org an AgileAlliance.org.
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