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Marketing & HRThe Role of a Delivery Manager in Agile Teams

delivery manager

Introduction

When discussing various IT industry professions, the Delivery Manager's role cannot be overlooked. This position occupies a key place in the employment hierarchy in the rapidly evolving technology sector, which emphasizes modern and dynamic management methods. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful delivery of projects.

The scrum methodology

"Agility is the ability to adapt and evolve, and Scrum is the framework that enables this ability."

Ken Schwaber, co-creator of Scrum.

Scrum is one of the most recognized agile project management methodologies, revolutionizing how technology teams work worldwide. This methodology, based on iterative processes, transparent communication, and continuous improvement, enables teams to adapt quickly to changes and deliver value consistently.

Scrum facilitates dividing large projects into smaller, more manageable iterations called Sprints. This approach allows teams to respond flexibly to evolving requirements and provide value to clients at every project stage. Supported by tools like Jira and Xray, Scrum ensures efficient management of complex projects while maintaining high-quality standards for the delivered solutions.

To delve deeper into the Scrum methodology and its management practices, it is worth exploring the work of Jeff Sutherland, the co-creator of Scrum. In his book Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time, he discusses how effective project management can lead to significant productivity improvements.

Another advocate of this methodology is Sheryl Sandberg, former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. Her book Lean In addresses leadership and team management in a dynamic business environment. Her experiences leading large technology teams can inspire individuals to become Delivery Managers.

Analyzing these sources helps better understand how the Delivery Manager's role has evolved alongside the growth of technology companies and the competencies critical to effectively fulfilling this role.

Good practices - scrum at Mobile Reality

Scrum is one of the foundational methodologies of Mobile Reality. Its application enables the efficient and creative execution of all projects. At Mobile Reality, Scrum is utilized in fintech, proptech, and music & entertainment projects alike. Delivery Managers play a significant role in successfully executing these projects, ensuring seamless alignment between client needs and team capabilities.

Delivery Managers like scrum master and their role in scrum

A key figure in Scrum-based projects is the Delivery Manager, whose responsibilities often overlap with those of the Scrum Master. Although these roles differ in scope, they share a common goal: supporting the team in delivering value to the client.

The evolution of this role is closely tied to adopting agile management methodologies like Scrum. As organizations strive to optimize processes and enhance the value delivered to clients, the Delivery Manager's role becomes indispensable. A Delivery Manager has a deep understanding of Scrum, possesses the skills to support team self-organization, and comprehends the team's technical and process-related aspects.

The key competencies of a Delivery Manager are not limited to a set of skills but also include a work approach characterized by flexibility, commitment, and proactivity. With these traits, the Delivery Manager at Mobile Reality plays a pivotal role in executing projects at the highest level, delivering value to both clients and the team.

Key competencies and agile role of a Delivery Manager

Delivery Manager

In the Scrum methodology, the Delivery Manager supports the team to achieve Sprint goals while ensuring that project execution aligns with timelines, budgets, and client expectations.

At Mobile Reality, the Delivery Manager coordinates activities that lead to project success. This role includes managing the development team, ensuring timely product delivery, and maintaining high-quality standards.

"The success of a project depends not only on the vision but on the ability to implement it effectively."

The Delivery Manager is pivotal in modern technology organizations like Mobile Reality. With the rapid advancement of technology and the growing demand for complex, multidimensional projects, this position has evolved from a strictly managerial role into a multidisciplinary team leader. A Delivery Manager coordinates project activities and bridges the gap between technology, the team, and the client.

Project Management is the ability to plan, monitor, and execute projects

Managing sprints and backlogs

Scrum relies on effective planning and execution of Sprints—short work cycles typically lasting 1-4 weeks. The Delivery Manager, in collaboration with the Product Owner, ensures that the backlog is well-defined, prioritized, and tailored to both business and technical needs.

Example: In a fintech project where the team is required to deliver an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in a short timeframe, the Delivery Manager, working closely with the Product Owner, prepares a precise backlog with prioritized functionalities and adjusts Sprint durations to meet the client’s evolving needs. This enables timely product delivery.

Communication skills building an efficient system for collaboration

Effective communication is a cornerstone of a Delivery Manager’s role. It involves creating a system that ensures smooth and efficient interactions with both clients and teams.

Facilitating scrum ceremonies

Scrum methodology is based on self-organizing teams, but a culture of trust and development doesn’t emerge on its own. The Delivery Manager plays a vital role in fostering an engaged, motivated, and skilled team that not only completes tasks but also strives for continuous improvement.

Delivery Managers must possess exceptional communication skills to effectively organize and facilitate Scrum ceremonies, such as:

  • Daily Stand-ups – Daily meetings to monitor the team’s progress,

  • Sprint Planning – Task planning for upcoming iterations,

  • Sprint Retrospective – Analyzing and improving processes based on the previous Sprint’s outcomes.

These ceremonies require a Delivery Manager to have strong communication and analytical skills, which are essential for identifying impediments and planning their resolution.

Example: In a proptech project, the Delivery Manager noticed that retrospectives were becoming unproductive due to recurring issues. Their communication skills and the team’s established trust enabled them to implement the “5 Why” technique. By asking “why?” repeatedly, the team uncovered the root cause of the problem. In an atmosphere of openness, the responses helped identify the true cause of decreased efficiency, paving the way for improvements in the next Sprint.

This competency-driven approach ensures that the Delivery Manager not only leads the team effectively but also fosters an environment of continuous growth and trust, crucial for achieving project success.

Technical understanding and soft skills of a Delivery Manager

Technical skills are the foundation of a well-executed project

Technical skills, alongside soft skills, are highly desirable for a Delivery Manager. A good Delivery Manager possesses knowledge of key IT technologies, and certifications in leading technologies are often advantageous. A deeper understanding of technology enables a Delivery Manager to manage tasks more effectively, leading to improved project execution. Furthermore, having technical expertise allows for the early detection of potential issues and the proposal of solutions before they impact the project timeline.

At Mobile Reality, where key technologies include ReactJS, Node.js, AWS, and blockchain solutions such as Flow Blockchain, Delivery Managers have expertise in these areas. They actively participate in the team’s technical discussions. For example, their knowledge of web application architecture allowed them to propose an alternative approach to system scalability in a fintech project, helping to avoid performance issues during periods of increased server load.

Building a team through technical competence development

In every IT company, enhancing the technical skills of agile teams is essential—not only to increase efficiency but also to improve motivation and job satisfaction. A Delivery Manager’s role is not limited to team management; they also actively support the development of the team’s technical skills. This involves implementing learning practices and techniques tailored to the team’s composition, time constraints, and the soft skills of its members.

Key practices that foster technical skills development include:

a) Tech Talks and Training Workshops: Regularly organized meetings where team members share knowledge about new technologies or tools. A Delivery Manager identifies and collaborates with industry experts to provide training tailored to the specific needs of a project.

Example: A Delivery Manager organized a workshop led by blockchain experts to train the team in using Flow Blockchain technology, enhancing the team’s capability to deliver high-quality solutions.

b) Mentoring and buddy system A Delivery Manager supports a culture of mutual learning by pairing less experienced employees with senior team members.

Example: In a project involving AWS infrastructure, junior developers worked alongside senior developers, improving the project quality and expanding the junior developers’ skill sets.

c) Certifications and external training: A Delivery Manager facilitates investment in the team’s development by sponsoring relevant training and certifications.

Example: Mobile Reality team members participated in AWS Solutions Architect certification courses, enabling the company to fully leverage cloud infrastructure capabilities in its projects.

Leadership: problem-solving and agile obstacle removal

Effective leadership in a Delivery Manager includes the ability to respond swiftly and efficiently to project challenges. This requires a proactive approach to identifying and eliminating obstacles.

Agile role in removing impediments While removing barriers is a key task of the Scrum Master, the Delivery Manager often extends this role by addressing technical obstacles, coordinating inter-team collaboration, managing dependencies, and ensuring access to necessary resources.

Example: In a Flow Blockchain project, the team faced challenges with API integration with external services. The Delivery Manager coordinated efforts between the backend team and the external provider, organizing technical meetings and proposing alternative solutions to resolve the issue efficiently.

Experience in efficient monitoring and reporting

Scrum emphasizes project transparency, which often requires the Delivery Manager to take on an additional function of reporting progress to stakeholders and management. Leveraging tools like Jira, Confluence, and Xray, the Delivery Manager tracks Sprint's progress and delivers measurable results.

Example: During a music industry project, the Delivery Manager used Jira dashboards to automatically generate detailed weekly progress reports, ensuring stakeholders were fully informed.

The role of a Delivery Manager is inherently multidimensional, demanding organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills. These abilities enable Delivery Manager to seamlessly fulfill their responsibilities, ensuring project success while fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the team.

Job description: key responsibilities of a Delivery Manager

Delivery Manager

The responsibilities of a Delivery Manager are always shaped by the specific nature of the project and the client’s needs. However, some key and indispensable duties include:

Project planning with a team

The Delivery Manager is responsible for creating a detailed project plan that forms the foundation for effective execution. Planning includes:

  • Scope of Work – Precisely defining the functionalities and client expectations.

  • Resource Allocation – Assigning team members to tasks based on their skills and availability.

  • Timelines – Creating realistic schedules, including Sprints, the delivery of MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), and testing phases.

Team Management

Development teams require adept change management to ensure smooth project delivery without unnecessary delays. A good Delivery Manager supports and motivates remote teams, ensuring high-quality project execution through task delegation and technical guidance. Key responsibilities in team management include:

  • Motivating the Team – Providing feedback, recognizing achievements, and addressing blockers. Example: Introducing "Sprint Awards" or "GIF Kudos" to reward team members for innovative approaches or exceptional performance.

  • Task Delegation – Assigning work effectively, ensuring clarity, flexibility, and alignment with team capabilities.

  • Technical Support – Providing the team with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary for successful project execution.

Quality Control

Ensuring that every product meets established quality standards is a top priority for the Delivery Manager. This includes:

  • Monitoring Progress – Continuously analyzing task execution to ensure alignment with specifications and client expectations.

  • Product Testing – Coordinating QA processes, including both manual and automated testing.

  • Client Feedback – Collecting and analyzing feedback from clients after each iteration to refine the product.

Risk management

Identifying potential risks and implementing preventive strategies is one of the core tasks of a Delivery Manager. This includes:

  • Risk Analysis – Regularly identifying areas that may jeopardize timelines or product quality. Example: Anticipating team overload and planning for external consultant support.

  • Dependency Management – Coordinating collaboration with other teams or external vendors. Example: Scheduling integration tests with a technological partner while working on an app integrated with external APIs.

  • Preventive Planning – Implementing measures to minimize the impact of potential risks. Example: Introduce "buffer time" in the schedule to give the team additional time for critical fixes.

By combining detailed planning, effective team management, quality assurance, and proactive risk management, the Delivery Manager at Mobile Reality not only achieves project objectives but also ensures client satisfaction, high product quality, and team development.

Good client collaboration essential for a Service Delivery Manager

Effective collaboration with the client is one of the most critical aspects of a Delivery Manager's role. Acting as a liaison between the technical team and the client, they ensure that expectations, priorities, and trust are upheld. Key traits required for this collaboration include:

Communication and active listening - A Delivery Manager must communicate clearly and precisely, translating complex technical issues into accessible business language. Equally important is active listening—understanding client needs, concerns, and priorities.

  1. Empathy and relationship-building Building relationships based on trust and understanding is essential for long-term collaboration. A Delivery Manager should empathize with the client’s needs and understand their business goals and challenges.

  2. Proactiveness and problem-solving Anticipating issues and addressing them before they escalate is critical. A proactive attitude is essential in both communication and project execution.

  3. Flexibility and adaptability In dynamic project environments, client requirements may change. A Delivery Manager must adapt to these changes while ensuring project goals are still met.

  4. Transparency and honesty Trust is built through open communication and transparency about project progress, challenges, and risks. A Delivery Manager should openly inform clients about the project status and avoid concealing difficulties.

  5. Negotiation and expectation management Balancing client needs with team capabilities is a crucial skill. Effective expectation management and skilled negotiation help avoid misunderstandings.

Career path and required certifications

Delivery Manager

A Delivery Manager's role demands extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The career path often begins with roles related to project management, such as Junior Project Manager. It progresses through positions like Product Owner or Scrum Master before reaching the level of Delivery Manager.

Certifications are crucial in building credibility and enhancing skills for this position. Some of the most valued certifications in the IT industry that can support a Delivery Manager's career include:

  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – validates foundational knowledge of Scrum and the ability to apply this framework.

  • Professional Scrum Master (PSM) – for individuals looking to deepen their understanding of advanced Scrum practices.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) – a globally recognized certification for project management.

  • Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) – ideal for those working in Agile environments.

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – particularly valuable for cloud-based projects.

Possessing these certifications not only strengthens a CV but also builds trust with clients and teams, showcasing the Delivery Manager's professionalism and dedication.

Delivery Manager salary

Delivery Manager

The salary of a Delivery Manager depends on various factors such as experience, location, industry, and project size. The average monthly earnings in the IT industry in Poland are as follows:

Junior Delivery Manager: $1,920 – $2,880 per month

Mid-Level Delivery Manager: $2,880 – $4,320 per month

Senior Delivery Manager: $4,320 – $7,200 per month

Salaries can increase significantly in international companies or remote work settings. In Western Europe or the USA, experienced Delivery Managers earn between 6,000 and 10,000 EUR per month or 80,000 to 130,000 USD annually.

Conclusion

The role of the Delivery Manager at Mobile Reality goes beyond project management; it involves bridging the gap between technology, the team, and clients. A successful Delivery Manager is pivotal to the success of any technology organization, ensuring seamless project execution, fostering innovation, and building lasting client relationships.

Insights from HR and EB in the IT industry

Are you curious about the unique challenges and innovative solutions in HR and employer branding within the IT industry? At Mobile Reality, we're excited to share with you a wealth of insights from our experiences. Discover the problems we face, the strategies that drive us, and the creative ideas we implement in our HR and employer branding initiatives. Dive into our collection of related articles featured on our blog – a treasure trove of knowledge awaits you:

Enjoy exploring these insights. Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. If you're interested in joining our dynamic team, explore the opportunities in our career section and submit your CV. We look forward to hearing from you!

Updated at15.01.2025
Published at14.01.2025
Ewa Sadowska
Ewa Sadowska

HR & Administration Manager

Table of contents

  1. Good client collaboration essential for a Service Delivery Manager
  2. Career path and required certifications
  3. Delivery Manager salary
  4. Conclusion

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Matt Sadowski

CEO of Mobile Reality

CEO of Mobile Reality

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