A member of a Scrum team does not participate in the Scrum Planning…

When a member of a Scrum team refuses to participate in Scrum Planning (presumably referring to the Sprint Planning meeting), it’s important for the Scrum Master to address this issue to maintain the effectiveness of the Scrum process. Here are the steps the Scrum Master should consider:

1. Private Conversation: The Scrum Master should have a private, one-on-one conversation with the team member to understand their concerns, motivations, and reasons for not participating. Create an environment where the team member feels safe to express their concerns.
2. Active Listening: During the conversation, the Scrum Master should actively listen to the team member’s perspective. This means not just hearing the words but also understanding the underlying issues or frustrations. The Scrum Master should avoid being judgmental.
3. Education: The Scrum Master can explain the importance of the Sprint Planning meeting and how it fits into the Scrum framework. Emphasize that participation is vital for team collaboration and the success of the Sprint.
4. Address Concerns: If the team member has specific concerns about the meeting, the Scrum Master should address them and, if necessary, work with the team to improve the meeting’s efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Collective Ownership: Reinforce the idea that the team shares collective ownership of the Scrum process. Each team member’s participation and input are crucial for the team’s ability to meet its commitments.
6. Retrospective: If the issue persists, the Scrum Master can bring it up during the Sprint Retrospective meeting. This provides a platform for the entire team to discuss the problem and collectively identify solutions.
7. Coaching and Mentoring: If the team member’s resistance is due to a lack of understanding of Scrum or a skill gap, the Scrum Master can offer coaching, mentoring, or training to help the team member feel more comfortable with Scrum practices.
8. Escalation: In cases where the team member’s non-participation is disruptive and hinders the team’s ability to deliver value, the Scrum Master may need to escalate the issue to higher management or HR, as a last resort.
9. Team Decision: Ultimately, the Scrum Master should work toward a resolution where the team collectively decides on the way forward. If the team believes the non-participating member’s behavior is detrimental, they may need to decide on appropriate actions or consequences.

It’s essential for the Scrum Master to maintain a balance between respecting the team member’s perspective and ensuring the team adheres to Scrum principles and practices for successful project delivery. Open communication and collaboration are key to resolving such issues within the Scrum framework.