Facilitation is the process of guiding and directing a group of people towards a desired outcome or decision. It involves creating an environment that is conducive to collaboration, active participation and open communication. In the context of Scrum, facilitation plays a critical role in the work of the Scrum Master with Scrum teams.
Scrum Masters ensure that Scrum events are effective and efficient by guiding the team through the process, keeping the conversation focused and encouraging participation from all team members.
Using different tools and methods of facilitation Scrum Masters help the team to identify and resolve any issues or impediments that may be preventing them from achieving their goals. This includes facilitating discussions between team members, helping to prioritize the team’s backlog, and removing obstacles that are outside the team’s control, for example.
The role of facilitation is essential to the success of Scrum teams. By creating a collaborative environment and guiding the team through the Scrum process, the Scrum Master can help the team to achieve its goals and deliver high-quality products.
I like to facilitate and I am good at it. In my post Assessment of Facilitaion and Training Skills I told you that in spring 2022 we had an assessment of 40 Scrum Masters at my work. This event lasted more than a month and was hosted by an outside organization.
According to the results of this assessment, I am among the Scrum Masters who got the highest scores in facilitation and training. As a result, I am one of 10 Scrum Masters who are considered to be the experts in facilitation and from whom other Scrum Masters should learn experience and knowledge in these spheres.
After that, I had an idea to get certified in facilitation at scrum.org. So, and on the 25th of July I did it. I have successfully passed the test and obtained the certificate. Here it is:
Being certified in facilitation can provide us with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively guide and direct groups towards desired outcomes or decisions. It can also provide a level of credibility and assurance to employers that the individual has a deep understanding of facilitation best practices and can facilitate meetings and events with confidence and expertise. Additionally, facilitation certification can open up opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. In other words it proves my facilitation skill and I am happy.
The test consists of 20 questions and you have 30 minutes to give answers. In case you plan to take this test, I would advise you to read all the articles, blogs and materials which are recommended by Scrum.org before taking the test. If you have experience in facilitation and if you read all the suggested materials, you will definitely answer the questions successfully.
I would like to mention one more time that facilitation plays an important role and encourages active participation and open communication, creating an environment where the team can collaborate effectively.
By identifying and addressing obstacles and impediments, we, Scrum Masters, can help our teams overcome challenges and stay on track towards meeting their goals. This ultimately leads to high-quality product delivery and increased team satisfaction.
If you have questions about this certification (how to prepare and so on) or would like to talk about facilitation or share your experinece, I”ll be very glad to discuss.
Do not hesitate to contact me on Telegram or at LinkedIn – just click one of these words.
