Introduction
Is your Scrum Master just a meeting organizer, I like to call that – secretary? Or are they the Scrum Team’s true obstacle clearer?
Many Scrum Masters struggle to fully embrace one of their most powerful responsibilities: removing impediments.
Without this, Scrum Team slow down, get frustrated, and lose trust in Scrum. But what does “removing impediments” really mean—and how can you do it well?
Let’s unpack!
Why Impediment Removal Is a Core Part of Scrum
Accroding to the Scrum Guide 2020, Scrum Master is:
Causing the removal of impediments to the Scrum Team’s progress
In Scrum, the team works in short cycles (Sprints) to deliver valuable product increments. But just like in any real-world scenario, obstacles arise – technical blockers, unclear requirements, missing resources, slow decision-making, or even interpersonal issues.
Scrum gives the Scrum Master a key role: to help the Scrum Team remove these impediments so they can focus on delivering value.
Removing impediments isn’t about fixing everything yourself. It’s about identifying problems, making them transparent, and enabling solutions—sometimes directly, sometimes through others.
Think of the Scrum Master not as a superhero, but as a system optimizer. They clear the path so the team can run.
Real-World Example: From Bottleneck to Enabler
Context
A medium-sized software team, working on a new mobile app, had regular Sprint disruptions. Developers complained about delays in getting API specs and access to test environments. The Scrum Master kept logging these issues—but nothing changed.
Problem
The Scrum Master assumed that just noting the blockers was enough. However, delays piled up, trust dropped, and Sprint Goals were often missed = negative ROI.
What Changed
The Scrum Master attended a community workshop and realized that their accountability was to actively engage in resolving systemic problems—not just record them.
Actions Taken
- Made Impediments Visible – Created a public “Impediment Wall” updated daily.
- Classified Issues – Team-level vs. organizational impediments.
- Empowered the Team – Encouraged developers to resolve team-level blockers.
- Engaged Stakeholders – Scheduled weekly syncs with managers to address external blockers like missing API specs.
- Tracked Resolution Time – Set expectations: no blocker should remain unresolved for more than 3 days.
Result
In just 2 Sprints
- Sprint Retrospective feedback turned positive: “We feel heard.”
- Blocker resolution time dropped by 40%
- Scrum Team’s value-delivery increased by 25%
Practical Tips: How to Be a Great Impediment Remover?
Want to level up your impact as a Scrum Master? Here’s what you can do:
- Celebrate Resolved Impediments
Share “before/after” wins with the team. It builds trust and motivation.
- Create Transparency
Keep a visible list of current impediments. Use a board, Confluence page, or Slack channel.
- Don’t Solve Everything Alone
Encourage the team to solve what they can. Step in when it’s beyond their control.
- Use External Support Wisely
If a blocker is outside the team (e.g. infrastructure, approvals), engage the right people—but stay responsible for follow-through.
- Track Patterns
Are the same issues popping up again and again? That’s a system problem worth tackling long-term.
Note: Scrum Masters remove only impediments that goes beyond self-managing skills of Developers. Otherwise, Scrum Master will rob Developers from opportunity to develop a new skill.
Conclusion
The Scrum Master is not just a facilitator—they’re a change agent. Removing impediments is one of the most important ways to enable a high-performing team. But it requires action, collaboration, and visibility.
If you’re new to Scrum, start small: listen, observe, and support. If you’re experienced, ask yourself: Am I truly removing what’s slowing us down—or just documenting it?
