Scrum Master (Remote)

Srijan is hiring for a Scrum Master/Senior Scrum Master role with a permanent WFH option.A notice period of 30 days or less is preferred.Remote working option available.Roles and Responsibility:

Backlog Maintenance

Create and Manage Backlog

Backlog grooming: Manage/Update “sprint-backlog” and “project-backlog” regularly after client calls and demos

Plans forward-looking technology investigations (spikes / POC)

After each sprint demo work with the dev team to estimate and re-estimate the backlog

Facilitate prioritization of backlog first time;

Facilitate prioritization of backlog during planning n+1 sprint with client

Creating mock-ups/wireframes/Sketch images to illustrate or to detail for getting clarity from the client, and for communicating the task to the dev team

Use JIRA for all backlog (no use of Google spreadsheets)

Daily Stand-ups

Drive daily-stand-ups

Ask what was done yesterday, what is the plan for today

Ask probing questions in the stand-ups and outside of it

Identify potential roadblocks or challenges that may come up

Consult Group Lead and raise your concerns

Implement advice by GL

Ensure that the team is working towards completion of the sprint; each stand-up well did, will suggest if the velocity is enough to complete Sprint or no

(Maintain and) Update the “information radiator board (with stickies)” for all sprints

Sprint Demos

Run sprint demos

Calls must be marked on the client and team’s calendar; no ambiguity in when calls happen

Every member must be present on calls at least 2-mins before the scheduled time on the calendar; be the first to join the call as moderator

If you are unable to join, ensure that the session is recorded; if it cannot be recorded, ensure the team has captured all feedback during the demo

Business Analysis

Understand the business of the client and the project

This will enable you to question business needs that clients communicate

Validate and record agreements in stories, acceptance criteria

Create mock-ups/wireframes/Sketch annotations to illustrate or to detail --  for getting clarity from the client; and for communicating the task to the dev team -- put these in stories in JIRA

Project Management

The Plan -- Do -- Check -- Act (Complete control on the project)

Create Physical boards “information radiator board (with stickies)

Plan deliverables (JIRA/Sprint) along with the team

Organize the Sprint, get re-estimates done,

Plan Sprint n+1 with the client -- prepared stories for the n+1 sprint to be taken up by dev team; work with QA in

Learn to read JIRA Burndown Charts to know if the project is on time or is there likely to be a delay

If there is likely to be a delay, speak to the Agile Coach / Group Lead to decide the nature of communication to be sent to the client

Release Planning - define release goals

Quality Assurance

Detail out stories with acceptance criteria

Ensure all stories have acceptance criteria

Work with QA in improving quality of acceptance criteria

Work towards zero-defect sprints

Defect triage - accept/reject

Support the Dev+QA team in testing yourself

Use JIRA for all these activities

Drive testing strategy

Deliver stories piecemeal for testing throughout the sprint

Validate technical architecture by asking relevant questions

Stakeholder Management

Send out weekly Status emails to internal and external clients -- must be on SM’s calendar

Red, Amber, Green status

Budget consumption

Key activities this week

Pre-empt and document roadblocks that you/team foresee

Raise/Flag issues to clients and work aggressively within the team/org to mitigate this

Coach clients on agile/scrum, our model, align them on our practices, using Jira, etc

Engineering Practices

Drive towards Unit Testing

Drive towards Continuous Integration (CI) using Jenkins; leads to a clear release and deployment strategy/plan

Piecemeal UAT strategy

Drive Intrinsic quality like Code, stories written, test scenarios written

Continuously monitor and improve them. Question people on them

Use Jira rigorously to track stories, defects, and manage it end to end.

People, Process and Tool Coach

Coach people to improve in their role

Challenge and question people on the way they are working to make it better

Run sprint-retros

During retros listen for “cause” behind the words; by asking probing questions

Continuously strive to improve yourself

Handhold team on Scrum way of doing

Strategize which tool to use for what purposes.

Preferred Skills, Experience, and Education:

8+ years of experience as a Scrum Master

Must have experience leading a team of around 15-20 team members in an Agile environment.

Experience working in multi-geo or offshore environment

JIRA experience

Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills

Proven success in delivering projects within budget and specified timeframes, while ensuring customer satisfaction

Proven problem-solving skills from problem assessment to solution selection

Ability to identify alternatives and make contingency plans

Capacity to embrace change and quickly adapt to new situations, changes in direction, and altering priorities

Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments

Ability to demonstrate critical thinking, providing options and recommendations relating to resolving issues, mitigating risks, and resolving escalated items.

CSM (Certified) or PMP (Certified) Good to have