Building a Thriving Community of Practice for Scrum Masters: A New Beginning
At Springbach Consulting, we believe every new beginning is an opportunity to grow, learn, and create something extraordinary. This mindset inspired us to help one of our clients relaunch their Scrum Master Community of Practice (SM-CoP)—a collaborative space where people passionate about Scrum can connect, share, and thrive.
This fresh start wasn’t without its challenges, but the journey has been well worth it.
Overcoming Challenges to Start Fresh
Our client had previously tried to establish an SM-CoP, but the initiative didn’t gain traction. Naturally, they were hesitant to try again. To complicate matters, their Scrum Master community included a mix of internal team members and vendor representatives, making alignment even more complex.
But every new beginning comes with a chance to learn from the past and do things differently. Here's how we set the foundation for success:
Listening to the Scrum Masters: We asked about their past experiences to uncover what worked and what didn’t.
Establishing Consistency: A dedicated moderator brought stability and kept the group on track.
Creating Spaces to Connect: Using Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, we built a digital hub for sharing best practices and ideas.
Defining Ways of Working: We co-created guidelines to ensure productive, inclusive meetings.
Gaining Sponsorship: A non-Scrum Master sponsor championed the group, providing support and momentum.
Committing to Sustained Growth
We approached this relaunch with a commitment to consistency and value, setting the stage for ongoing growth:
Quarterly Retrospectives: Reflecting on successes and opportunities for improvement.
Monthly Topics: A curated list of discussion themes keeps the focus fresh.
Time-Boxed Meetings: Every session is capped at 30 minutes, with clear agendas and actionable outcomes.
Thoughtful Scheduling: Meetings avoid conflicts with key events like demos or PI planning.
A Fresh Start with Meaningful Discussions
Since its relaunch, the SM-CoP has explored topics that spark new ideas and enhance practices, such as:
Effective Retrospectives
Preparing for PI Planning
Refining Definitions of Ready and Done
Building Strong Team Relationships
Using Team Metrics for Growth
Each discussion is led by a volunteer, ensuring diverse perspectives and shared ownership of the group’s success.
Early Wins and New Horizons
The engagement and energy from this SM-CoP relaunch has been inspiring. Scrum Masters are sharing insights, testing new approaches, and building stronger relationships within the group. The collaborative format has created trust and camaraderie, setting the stage for continued success.
Your Opportunity for a New Beginning
If your organization is ready to embrace a new beginning, starting a Community of Practice could be the perfect way to ignite growth, innovation, and connection. Whether you’re relaunching an existing group or starting from scratch, we’re here to help you take the first step.
Have questions or want guidance on creating your own CoP? Reach out—we’d love to help you start your next chapter!
