During a Sprint Retrospective, what is the Scrum Master's role?

The Scrum Master plays a crucial role during the Sprint Retrospective by participating as a team member and facilitating the discussion as needed. This involvement is essential because the retrospective is an opportunity for the entire team to reflect on the past Sprint, discuss what went well, identify areas for improvement, and create a plan for implementing improvements in the next Sprint.

By actively participating, the Scrum Master can help ensure that the team feels safe to share their thoughts and feedback, guiding the conversation constructively without dominating it. The Scrum Master’s facilitation skills allow them to keep the discussion on track, manage time effectively, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers the Development Team to take ownership of their processes.

The other options are less aligned with the Scrum Master’s role. Making decisions for the Development Team does not empower the team or foster an environment of collaboration. Simply observing without participation limits the Scrum Master’s ability to support the team's growth and improvement. Collecting feedback from stakeholders doesn't align with the purpose of retrospectives, which focus on internal team dynamics and performance rather than external stakeholder input.