Freelance Scrum Master

Are you considering hiring a freelance Scrum Master? Then the following information is for you. First you will discover the main reasons why companies choose a freelance Scrum Master. Next I share tips for effective collaboration with freelance Scrum Masters.

After that, I provide you 4 interview questions you can ask potential Scrum Master candidates. I will also tell you where to find good candidates. Oh yes, let’s not forget: I will cover the costs and tell you which specialist will really help you further. Let’s go!

Why do companies choose a freelance Scrum Master (instead of in employment)

Scrum Master is a popular role in many companies. And that is not so strange. Scrum Masters play a crucial role in improving the effectiveness of teams and the ability of companies to create value.

Are you looking for support in the area of Scrum? And are you facing the dilemma of choosing a professional in employment or on a freelance basis? To help you with this, I explore the main reasons why companies choose a freelance Scrum Master.

1 ) Save costs

For years, I had employees in employment and learned that this can be very expensive. In addition to salary, you pay payroll tax, holiday pay, pension, training costs, bonuses and even costs for lease cars are not uncommon. Do not forget the severance payments or costs for legal advice on termination of employment due to, for example, a reorganization.

On the other hand, when you hire a freelancer, all the above costs disappear! With a freelance Scrum Master you can often save a lot of costs.

2) High quality of work

Good Scrum Professionals work freelance. They know their value and are entrepreneurial in spirit. They have a track record and have gained a lot of experience at different companies. In addition they keep their certifications up to date and share their knowledge with the Scrum community. They consistently deliver high-quality work to further build their reputation and thereby increase their chance of future work and referrals.

3) No long-term commitment

Employees in employment expect job security. They are also entirely dependent on the company for their livelihood. A collaboration with an employee is therefore a long-term commitment and not a light responsibility.

Freelancers, on the other hand, are engaged for a specific project or for projects of relatively short duration. The absence of a long-term commitment gives companies more flexibility when hiring freelancers.

4) Up-to-date knowledge without extra investments (of time and euros)

Talented freelance Scrum professionals have perfected their craft over years. In addition, they invest a lot of time in keeping their knowledge up to date. As a client, you benefit directly from this when you engage such a freelancer. You do not need to allocate extra resources to train an employee. This saves euros and perhaps more importantly, a lot of time.

5) External perspective to solve problems faster (and more diversity)

Freelance Scrum Masters often have a fresh, external perspective on an organization. Clients benefit from these insights. The fresh perspective can for example, provide a solution to a persistent problem or offer new insights to better understand customers.

Moreover, freelancers are not burdened by internal obligations, historical thinking or a political agenda in the organization. In addition, freelancers offer the opportunity to increase the diversity of your team. Diversity helps in generating ideas and often leads to better solutions. A team of individuals with different backgrounds is better able to adapt and generate more value.

6) You want focused attention and to get started quickly

A freelance Scrum Master is often hired for a specific project. This allows him/her to focus entirely on that project without being distracted by internal responsibilities.

When a freelance Scrum Master is available, you can usually hire him/her quickly. This allows you to get started fast. There is no notice period with another employer. Also, little onboarding time is usually required. This allows you or your organization to quickly respond to changing needs and market conditions.

7) Temporary support without obligations

Whether your employee is going on maternity leave, is long-term sick or you have not yet found a suitable full-time candidate, it is wise to consider temporary support. It is unrealistic to expect other team members to efficiently absorb the extra workload, especially considering the long recruitment process that can take several months. If you are in the process of reorganizing your company, it can be useful to temporarily engage a freelance Scrum Master. This prevents obstacles in determining the new product strategy and also provides advice on positioning your team after the reorganization.

Tips for effective collaboration with freelance Scrum Masters

Here are a few handy tips for working effectively with freelancers:

• Make clear agreements about the commitment and document them. Use the model agreements from the Tax Authority if desirable. Usually, a signed quote and the freelancer’s general terms and conditions are sufficient.
• Account for a shorter payment term for invoices from a freelancer. Also, some freelancers invoice every two weeks instead of monthly.
• Invest in the relationship with freelancers you are happy with. Generally, this improves response speed, work quality and the collaboration.
• Pay attention to the onboarding of freelancers you hire. hey are not yet familiar with the inner workings of your company. During the onboarding, make agreements about the workspace, working hours, working from home, time reporting, etc.
• Regularly schedule a feedback meeting to evaluate the commitment. A good freelancer proactively makes this appointment with their client.
• Also, involve freelancers in team-building activities.
• As a freelancer, develop your 4 S’s for effective collaboration with your client:
  • Self-direction – proactively organize your own work
  • Self-reliance – work independently and ask for help when you encounter an impediment
  • Self-discipline – make your client and yourself better every day
  • Self-development – grow independently and develop your talent to achieve your client’s goals

4 interview questions to ask potential Scrum Master candidates

1. How would you set up Scrum in our organization?

Implementing Scrum in an organization requires the commitment of management, employees and an initial Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is responsible for setting up Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide. In an interview with a potential candidate, the following suggestions should certainly be mentioned:

Education and understanding – It usually starts with creating more awareness about Scrum and how it can contribute to the organization’s success. Next steps include organizing training and workshops to increase knowledge about Scrum. It also helps in identifying “innovators,” employees who are naturally enthusiastic about new ways of working.

Help to identify a project – Support the organization in selecting a project or initiative that is suitable for Scrum. It is advisable to choose a project with a clear goal and limited scope.

Help form the first Scrum Team – Facilitate meetings that allow a multidisciplinary Scrum Team to form themselves. This also affirms the importance of self-management in Scrum.

Help prepare the first Sprint Planning meeting – Support the Product Owner in creating the first Product Backlog items and formulating the Product Goal so they are well-prepared to start the first Sprint.

Assist in initiating the first Sprint – Help the Product Owner and Developers kick off their first Sprint with the Sprint Planning meeting. Support and facilitate the meeting so the outcome is a first Sprint Backlog. The Sprint Backlog consists of selected work for the Sprint, a Sprint Goal and a plan for how the selected work will be done.

Support the team at all Scrum events – During the Sprints, as a Scrum Master, ensure all Scrum events take place positively, productively and within the timebox. Also actively share knowledge and set a good example so you help the team understand Scrum theory and put it into practice.

Support the organization – Guiding an organization to a new way of working such as Scrum is a challenging task. The art is for the organization to review traditional hierarchies and place more emphasis on self-organization and transparency. As a Scrum Master you therefore always set a good example, help the organization remove impediments and assist in planning Scrum implementations.

Eventually, you mainly help the organization and its employees to make independent choices and get better at their jobs. As a Scrum Master, you have various “roles” at your disposal. Depending on the situation, you choose the role of coach, facilitator, mentor or leader. This way, you serve as a Scrum Master for both the Scrum Team and the larger organization.

2. A Developer no longer wants to attend Sprint Planning. He finds it a waste of his time. How do you, as a Scrum Master, handle this?

It is important to take the concerns of the developer seriously and collaborate to improve the situation. In an interview with a potential Scrum Master, the following should be regarded:

Individual conversation – First schedule a 1:1 conversation with the developer to understand his perspective. Ask for specific reasons why he no longer wants to attend Sprint Planning. Listen actively and do not judge his standpoint. Depending on the type of feedback, make a plan together to improve the situation.

Clarify the purpose – Sometimes the purpose of Sprint Planning is simply not clear enough. Determine if the developer understands why this meeting is important and what value it adds. Clarify the purpose if necessary.

Team reflection – If multiple developers no longer want to attend Sprint Planning, consider reflecting on this with the whole Scrum Team. A good moment for this is the Sprint Retrospective. Your role in this as a Scrum Master depends on the team dynamics. The goal of the reflection is to evaluate the process and propose improvements together.

Experiment – Allow space for the Developers and the Product Owner to experiment with organizing Sprint Planning differently. f there are legitimate concerns about efficiency, the team is always allowed to adjust their approach and learn from it.

Be flexible – Consider if the developer can be present for only part of the Sprint Planning, for example, when his input is needed for specific User Stories.

Involve the Product Owner – Ask the Product Owner to emphasize the value of everyone’s presence during Sprint Planning. When everyone contributes, the team is better able to define the Sprint Goal, prioritize the right work and formulate a good plan for the selected work.

Stay in touch – Keep in touch with the Developer and see if the situation improves, especially after any adjustments. Regularly ask for feedback.

3. Do you expect experienced Developers to wait until the Daily Scrum to discuss an impediment?

No, it does not make sense for experienced Developers to wait until the next Daily Scrum to discuss an impediment (obstacle). If a problem arises, all team members are expected to take immediate action to resolve it.

Here are some reasons why you should not wait until the next Daily Scrum:

Worsens the problem – If you do not address an impediment immediately, it can slow down the team’s progress and even worsen the problem. Waiting until the next Daily Scrum means valuable time is lost.

Hinders communication – Scrum encourages open communication and collaboration. Therefore team members share obstacles as soon as possible, without waiting for formal events like the Daily Scrum.

Leads to a quicker solution – If an impediment is shared and addressed immediately, there is a greater chance it will be resolved quickly before it causes significant delay.

That being said, the Daily Scrum is still an important time for inspection and adaptation. Developers inspect their progress toward the Sprint Goal here and discuss whether previous obstacles have been resolved. If necessary, they adjust their plans.

4. At the end of the Sprint, no stakeholder participates in the Sprint Review. Does the team proceed with the review, even though they are familiar with the outcome?

Yes, it makes sense to proceed with the Sprint Review, even if no external stakeholders are present and the Scrum Team is already familiar with the outcome of the Sprint. The Sprint Review is a crucial moment for inspection and adaptation. It also has several benefits:

Shows increment to the team – The Sprint Review offers the chance to show the delivered increment of the product to all stakeholders, including the team itself. This creates transparency and provides the opportunity to verify if the work meets the Definition of Done and the expectations of the Product Owner.

Space for internal feedback and validation – Even if no external stakeholders are present, the Scrum Team can still provide valuable internal feedback and validate the results. It is an opportunity to assess whether the realized features match the acceptance criteria and business objectives.

Space to practice – It also gives team members the chance to practice communicating their work and achievements effectively. This is important when external stakeholders participate in the Sprint Review in the future.

Adjustment of Product Backlog – The Sprint Review is also a chance for the team to look back together on what they learned during the Sprint. Maybe something has changed in the market or environment. This way the team can adjust the Product Backlog to seize new opportunities.

So yes, even without external stakeholders, the Sprint Review is a valuable tool for the Scrum Team for inspection and adaptation.

Where do you find good freelance Scrum Masters?

Finding good freelance Scrum Masters can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are various platforms you can use to find qualified professionals. Below are some examples that can help in your search:

LinkedIn – LinkedIn is an excellent source for finding freelance Scrum Masters. You can search specifically for professionals with the right skills and experience in your industry and region. There are also groups on LinkedIn for Scrum professionals.

Freelance.nl – There are also special online platforms like Freelance.nl, Upwork and Toptal for freelance professionals. These platforms allow you to post your assignment and find candidates that meet your criteria.

Scrum.org – The official website of Scrum.org also has a list of certified Scrum Masters that you can consult. You can then filter by location to find Scrum Masters in the Netherlands.

Networking – Networking with other professionals in the Agile and Scrum community is valuable for the long term. Attending conferences, meetups and events focused on Agile and Scrum usually brings you in perfect contact with potential Scrum Masters.

Recruitment agencies – There are recruitment agencies that specialize in placing Scrum Masters and other Agile professionals. They are there to help you find qualified candidates for your assignment if you do not have the time yourself.

References and recommendations – Ask other professionals in your network if they have recommendations for freelance Scrum Masters. Personal references often yield reliable candidates.

Join user groups – Join professional user groups like the Scrum User Group Netherlands. Here you will certainly find qualified professionals.

When considering a freelance Scrum Masters, it is important to check their experience, certifications and references. Conducting interviews and reviewing their work helps you select the right candidate additionally.

How much does it cost to hire a freelance Scrum Master?

Rates for hiring freelance Scrum Masters vary due to many factors. Examples of these factors are expertise, experience, location and market conditions. The general rates applicable for Freelance Scrum Masters are:

• Starter: €55 per hour
• Medior: €90 per hour
• Senior: €110 per hour
• Top of the market: €150 per hour

Which freelance Scrum Master is suitable for you depends on your project and your wishes. If you have questions about this, do not hesitate to contact to discuss.

Below are some factors that influence the rates for freelance Scrum Masters:

Experience and certification – Scrum Masters with more experience and certifications charge higher rates than less experienced professionals.

Work location – The work location within the Netherlands affects the rates. In cities with a higher cost level, such as Amsterdam and Utrecht, the rates are generally higher than in rural areas.

Complexity of the project – The complexity of the project also affects the pricing. Larger and more complex projects usually require higher rates because they need senior professionals.

Duration of the assignment – The length of the assignment also affects the price. Shorter assignments generally have a higher hourly rate than long-term assignments.

Scarcity of Scrum Masters – The availability of experienced Scrum Masters also affects market rates. If there is a shortage of Scrum Masters, higher rates are the effect.

Additional services – Some Scrum Masters offer additional services such as coaching or training. Usually, there are different rates for these kinds of services. For example, a training is provided based on a fixed price per participant and not on an hourly rate.

In summary

It is challaging to provide an exact rate because this depends on the project and the experience of the Scrum Master. It is advisable to have a detailed conversation with potential candidates and compare quotes to get a good idea of the costs for hiring a freelance Scrum Master that meets your needs.