In the fast-moving world of product development, buzzwords like Agile and Scrum get tossed around like confetti. But when the buzz fades and the real work begins, many teams hit roadblocks. That’s where Agile Coaches and Scrum Coaches step in.
They don’t just talk about stand-ups and retrospectives. They help teams live agility—and not just go through the motions.
But what’s the difference between the two? And when should you bring one on board?
Let’s break it down.
What Does an Agile Coach Do?
An Agile Coach works at a higher level across teams, departments, and sometimes the entire organization. They help companies adopt Agile principles—like iterative development, continuous improvement, and customer collaboration—across the board.
Key Responsibilities:
- Guide executives and teams on Agile best practices
- Lead enterprise-wide Agile transformations
- Break down silos and promote cross-functional collaboration
- Provide mentorship on Lean, Kanban, SAFe, and other frameworks
- Identify cultural or structural blockers to agility
Think of an Agile Coach as the architect of your Agile transformation—they’re zooming out to see the whole system.
What Does a Scrum Coach Do?
A Scrum Coach (sometimes called a senior Scrum Master) goes deep within specific Scrum teams to optimize how they deliver value.
Key Responsibilities:
- Help teams master Scrum ceremonies (stand-ups, planning, reviews, retros)
- Coach Product Owners and Scrum Masters on roles and responsibilities
- Improve team communication, focus, and accountability
- Remove delivery roadblocks
- Help teams transition from doing Scrum to being Agile
Think of a Scrum Coach as the in-the-trenches partner, helping one or more teams operate like a well-oiled Agile machine.
When Do You Need an Agile Coach?
Bring in an Agile Coach when:
- You’re undergoing an organization-wide Agile transformation
- Teams are struggling to align with leadership expectations
- Leadership buy-in is shaky or inconsistent
- You need guidance implementing a scaled framework like SAFe or LeSS
- You’re not seeing results despite “doing” Agile
When Do You Need a Scrum Coach?
Bring in a Scrum Coach when:
- Your teams are doing Scrum, but it feels like a checklist, not a mindset
- Your Product Owner or Scrum Master is new or unsure
- Retrospectives lead to complaints, not improvement
- Velocity is stagnant or unpredictable
- Teams are technically Agile, but still siloed or unproductive
Can You Have Both?
Absolutely—and in many high-performing organizations, you should.
- The Agile Coach works with leadership to shape the environment.
- The Scrum Coach works with teams to execute within that environment.
It’s like pairing a nutritionist with a personal trainer—one sets the strategy, the other helps you put it into motion.
Final Thoughts
If your Agile journey feels stalled, don’t just add more meetings or buy new tools.
Bring in a guide.
Whether it’s an Agile Coach, a Scrum Coach, or both, the right coach helps you not just do Agile—but become it.