In Scrum (or agile in general) what are managers good for
I’m going to quote “woynam” from the scrum mailing list:
I like to use the (American) football analogy that managers are like offensive linemen. Their job is to knock the defensive players on their asses so that the high paid running backs can run into the end zone without getting grass on their pretty white uniforms. The running backs score the touchdowns, and get the glory, but the linemen make it possible. :-) If a lineman finishes the game without mud, and a bit of blood, on their uniform, they probably weren’t doing their jobs.
I like to think of a manager as a shield between the manager’s team and the rest of the org. I do believe this is what managers need to do, especially managers of “makers”. However, if you’re such manager (and good for you), do expect to get bruised. You might even have to quit your job if the company feels you’re too strong a shield. Been there.