SVPM Volunteer Positions

Volunteer Overview

An SVPM Scrum Team “sprint cycle” includes a Kick-off Meeting and the completion of one or more Backlog Refinement events, a Sprint Planning event, a Sprint Review event, a two-week Sprint, and a Sprint Retrospective event. On average, an end-to-end Sprint Cycle takes 6 weeks with a 1 week break between sprint cycles.

As a part-time program, each event duration will be an average of 90 minutes and is performed each week.

To ensure that each volunteer has an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that comes with each role within the Scrum team, we require new volunteers to come on board as a Scrum Team Member (Developer). Each participant can qualify for the Scrum Master role or Product Owner role after completing a minimum number of sprint cycles as listed below for each role.

Due to the high level of time commitment, these roles are most suitable for someone who has a flexible work schedule, or someone who is currently going through a job transition.

Scrum Team Member (Developer)
Average time commitment = 8 – 10 hours/week (~40 Hours/Sprint Cycle)

• All program participants will be assigned to a cross-functional Scrum team and participate for a minimum of two sprint cycles as a Developer. The Scrum Team Developer will participate in all Scrum Team ceremonies including backlog refinement exercises, complete self-assign Sprint backlog items, and present and review sprint backlog results.

Scrum Master & Scrum Master Associate
Average time commitment = 12 – 16 hours/week (~80 Hours/Sprint Cycle)

• As a Scrum Master, you will perform as the Scrum Team’s servant leader. Key responsibilities will include scheduling and supporting the team by coordinating and facilitating all Scrum Team ceremonies including Sprint Stand-ups, assist the team by removing impediments, help the team track and improve its Sprint velocity, and enable the team to self-organize.
• To ensure program participants have an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience performing in the Scrum Master role, team Developers can qualify for the Associate Scrum Master role by completing a minimum of two sprint cycles as a Scrum Team member (a Developer) and at least one sprint cycle as an Associate Scrum Master.
• Scrum Team members can qualify to participate in the Scrum Master role in two ways:
  • 1.) Complete at least two sprint cycles as a Scrum Team member (as a Developer) and one sprint cycle as an Associate Scrum Master.
  • 2.) Complete at least two sprint cycles as a Scrum Product Owner and one sprint cycle as an Associate Scrum Master.

Scrum Product Owner
Average time commitment = 20 – 24 hours/week (~120 Hours/Sprint Cycle)

• The Scrum Product Owner will perform as the owner of the product backlog. Key responsibilities include collaborating with ASVPM Sponsors, Program Stakeholders, and Scrum Team members, running backlog refinement ceremonies (refining epics, use cases, user stories, product descriptions, the definition of done, acceptance requirements, and ensuring the proposed backlog items conform to the vision and mission of the ASVPM organization, etc.) assist the Scrum Team for feedback and clarification during the Scrum Planning ceremonies, co-host the Scrum Product Review ceremonies with your Scrum Master, accept and/or reject completed product backlog item results, and gather insights for new products, product improvements, and new initiatives.
• Scrum Team members can qualify to participate in the Scrum Team Product Owner role in two ways:
  • 1.) Complete at least two sprint cycles as a Scrum Team member (as a Developer) and one sprint cycle as an Associate Product Owner.
  • 2.) Complete at least two sprint cycles as a Scrum Master and one sprint cycle as an Associate Product Owner.