Effective Scrum Master's Do's and Don'ts

Scrum is a framework with just three roles (Product owner, Scrum Master and Team), three artifacts (Product backlog, Sprint backlog and Burn-down chart) and a few ceremonies (Sprint planning, sprint review, sprint retrospective and daily stand up). It's easier to learn but much more difficult to practice. Adopting scrum is not just a change of titles but is a mindset. In this article I will focus on the role of a Scrum Master. Being only a good Scrum Master is not enough, effective is the goal. The following are the Do's and Don'ts for a Scrum Master to be effective.

Scrum Master Do's

1. Facilitate the product owner to maintain and prioritize the backlog items.
2. Facilitate team members with any additional training or coaching required.
3. Makes sure that team delivers the true value to the business.
4. Inspires the team members to own the tasks.
5. Allows and helps team members to make decisions.
6. Removes any impediments holding the team back to achieve their goals.
7. Helps team to become self-organised.
8. Shields team from external interference.
9. Acts as a servant leader.
10. Should be willing to improve continuously.
11. Handles only one team. If you are a Scrum Master of more than one team, the commitment cannot be the same.

Scrum Master Don'ts

1. Own the decisions on the product backlogs from the product owner's behalf.
2. Make estimates on the team's behalf.
3. Assign the tasks to the team members.
4. Try to manage the team.
5. Make changes to the team in the middle of the sprint.
6. Accept backlog changes in the middle of the sprint.
7. Make commitments on behalf of the team.

A Scrum Master does not control the team. He acts as a facilitator and works as a servant leadership.
I hope this will help someone. Please add your thoughts in comments.

Reference: http://www.scrumzen.com/scrummaster-dos-and-donts