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How Does The Scrum Framework Work Without A Project Manager? This Might Surprise You!
In a traditional project, typically, a Product Manager defines the requirements. Then the Product Manager delegates the realization to a Project Manager. Afterward, the Project Manager coordinates all activities needed to deliver the requirements of the project.
The Scrum Framework does not define a “Project Manager” role in the classical sense.
And yet, the tasks of this role are still required to deliver a project successfully. Within the Scrum Framework, the responsibilities of a Project Manager are distributed over the functions of the Scrum Product Owner and the Scrum Master.
The definition of the role and responsibilities of the Scrum Product Owner takes possible conflicts that may arise between the Product Owner and the Project Manager into account. Decisions about functionality, release planning, and budgeting can be made much more comfortable, quicker and better if one person is responsible for the execution, controlling, and documentation of those activities. Otherwise, there would always be a constant tension between the Scrum Product Owner (not responsible for the project) and the Project Manager (not responsible for the execution of work).
The goal of any reliable process should be to avoid this potential conflict that impacts the functional and tactical administration of the work that the Scrum Team performs. And that’s precisely what the Scrum Framework aims to accomplish. Therefore, the typical responsibilities of Project Managers and Product Managers are merged into the Scrum Product Owner role.
Nevertheless, the Scrum Master takes over some responsibilities of a traditional Project Manager. Tracking the tasks in Sprints and facilitating the resolution of impediments are among his duties. Since he or she is part of the Scrum Team, it is much easier and much more efficient to handle such activities directly in the team.