2

I've done my homework and searched on the website, and I could find a similar question: Should we cancel the Daily Stand-Up if we have another meeting during the day? but my case is different: my Project Manager is cancelling (or changing the time of the stand-up meeting the same day), not if we have another scrum related meeting, but rather if he (only him) has a call with a client or if he is busy with something else.

I know this is very wrong but I'm asking some help from the community to give him constructive feedback, ideally based on sources or articles that I can share with him.

I should also mention that I work in a global digital agency with clients across the world. In other words our PM cannot "afford" to ignore or move a client call as he likes.

Improve this question
9
  • Title says "Scrum Master" but question says "Project Manager." Which is it? Regardless it appears that it might be Scrum In Name Only (SINO).
    – Alan Larimer
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 14:45
  • Since this is more about interaction, from a team member role and not a project management type role, this question might be more suitable on the Workplace site.
    – Alan Larimer
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 14:47
  • It's actually project manager. I have changed the title. I also think you are right this could be moved to workplace, although it is also related to how Scrum is adapted to a environment which is not accustomed to it, like Agencies. But I can create a separate question for that.
    – Giacomo
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 14:50
  • Also note that within the Scrum framework, there is no Project Manager role. The activities of such a position are often performed by those fulfilling the three roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team) or unnecessary due to the different (product, value-driven, incremental, self-organizing) nature of the framework.
    – Alan Larimer
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 14:59
  • 2
    I disagree with the close vote. This question seems very much on topic, and appears answerable.
    – Todd A. Jacobs ♦
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 16:31

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
9

I think the most useful advice can actually be found in the comment on your linked Question.

My manager was absolutely shocked to find out that we still had our stand up when he canceled it (a regular occurrence). My response to him was "The stand up isn't for you. It's for us. Whether you're here or not, we still need to sync up as a team.

The Daily Scrum is not for the Project Manager. It is not for the Product Owner. It is not for the Scrum Master. It is for the Team.

You seem to have two problems here. First, your Daily Scrum is being cancelled. Second, your Project Manager is the one cancelling your Daily Scrums.

The first is solved easily - have them anyway. The second will hopefully be fixed once your Scrum Master discovers you are still holding the Daily Scrums. If not, the Scrum framework provides an opportunity to address concerns such as these - the Sprint Retrospective.

Improve this answer
2

The answer is short and simple: he or she doesn't have to participate in your daily stand-up.
I know that many Scrum Masters are having a hard time with this because they are afraid that they might miss something (and in my eyes the problem lies another level deeper - missing trust; but that's another story).

I wouldn't have those cancelled daily stand-ups anyway. This is just generating conflict (there's that missing trust again). So if I was you I'd ask him or her straightforward why he or her has the feeling that it's vital that he or she is participating in your daily scrum. Maybe it's enough to make sure it happens and to get some short summary. This will help you both - a classic win-win.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    thanks for your answer. Good point on the trust problem, but I think in this instance it is more due to unclear processes and poor definition of roles responsibilities.
    – Giacomo
    Commented Apr 23, 2018 at 14:55
1

I don't know who "owns" the meeting at your work, but it should be the ScrumMaster (if you have one). If not, I would suggest having one of the developers own the meeting instead of any project manager.

Where I work, I actually "kicked" my manager out of our standup, because we spent the entire time talking to him. He and I have a good relationship, so he readily agreed.

In general, this is an issue that should be explored at retro. Have the entire team discuss the value of the standup to them, and why your PM isn't the most important person in the meeting. Your PM needs to arrange his schedule around everyone else, not vice versa.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.