Managing dependencies across multiple teams is one of the most critical challenges in large-scale Agile environments. When teams rely on each other to deliver key pieces of functionality, even a small misalignment can lead to delays, rework, and frustration. The Scrum Master plays a pivotal role in identifying, tracking, and resolving these cross-team dependencies to enable smooth delivery.

Dependencies arise when one team’s work is required by another team to proceed or complete a feature. These can be technical, resource-based, or process-related. In Scrum, where teams aim to deliver working increments in short sprints, unmanaged dependencies can quickly derail progress.

Some common types of dependencies include:

• Shared services or platforms

• Database changes or migrations

• UX/UI design support

• Hardware provisioning

• Integration testing across components

These dependencies are often inevitable in scaled Agile environments, but they should never be left to chance. A Scrum Master’s proactive involvement makes a measurable difference.

Scrum Masters are not just facilitators of events. In multi-team settings, they act as connectors—surfacing hidden risks and coordinating with other teams to align delivery timelines and objectives.

Here’s how a Scrum Master actively manages dependencies across teams:

The first step is visibility. Scrum Masters encourage teams to map dependencies during backlog refinement, sprint planning, or PI planning (if using SAFe). They help teams visualize them using:

• Dependency boards

• Shared roadmaps

• Program Kanban boards

• Risk registers

By making dependencies explicit early, teams can address them before they become blockers.

Many dependency issues result from communication gaps. Scrum Masters promote open dialogue between teams, often by setting up:

• Scrum of Scrums

• Cross-team planning meetings

• Joint retrospectives

• Integration demos

These interactions foster transparency and help teams agree on delivery windows, handoff points, and shared priorities.

Product Owners prioritize work based on value. Scrum Masters work alongside them to ensure dependencies are reflected in the backlog and planned accordingly. If Team A needs something from Team B, both POs must negotiate the sequencing.

Scrum Masters ensure that this negotiation happens well in advance, not mid-sprint.

Not all dependencies can be resolved at the team level. When issues span organizational boundaries—like a delay in API readiness from a vendor—the Scrum Master escalates effectively through Agile Release Train syncs, program management, or leadership channels.

Rather than bypassing process, a good Scrum Master respects Agile escalation paths and ensures impediments are logged and tracked.

Scrum Masters coach teams to minimize dependencies by encouraging practices like:

• Defining clear interfaces between components

• Using feature toggles to enable independent releases

• Improving test automation to support faster integration

• Creating cross-functional teams that reduce reliance on others

While not every dependency can be removed, reducing coupling where feasible leads to faster and safer delivery.

Dependency management is not a one-time task. Scrum Masters track progress continuously using tools like:

• Jira Advanced Roadmaps

• Dependency matrix in Confluence

• Miro/Mural collaboration boards

• Program Kanban in SAFe

They also help teams define explicit policies for managing blockers caused by pending dependencies.

In frameworks like SAFe, LeSS, or Nexus, the Scrum Master’s role extends beyond the team. In SAFe, for example, Scrum Masters participate in Scrum of Scrums and PI Planning to ensure cross-team alignment.

Scrum Masters in these environments often function as Team Coaches, supporting alignment between ARTs (Agile Release Trains), managing dependencies within and across teams, and contributing to system-level improvement.

Imagine Team Alpha is building a payment service that depends on a fraud detection module being developed by Team Beta. During backlog refinement, the Scrum Master in Team Alpha notices this dependency and coordinates with Team Beta’s Scrum Master.

They set up a joint planning session where both teams agree to deliver their respective components in a synchronized manner. They define integration test cases early and schedule them mid-sprint, rather than at the end. Throughout the sprint, the Scrum Masters keep each other informed on progress or blockers.

This proactive approach prevents last-minute surprises and helps both teams meet their sprint goals.

Practice	Description
Visualize dependencies early	Use boards or mapping tools to make all inter-team dependencies visible
Enable cross-team alignment	Schedule recurring syncs and forums for open discussion
Advocate for autonomy	Coach teams to own their dependencies or reduce reliance where possible
Use integrated planning events	Leverage PI Planning or Scrum of Scrums for shared goals
Document risks and assumptions	Track unresolved dependencies and mitigation plans
Engage with program-level roles	Partner with Release Train Engineers or PMOs to address systemic blockers

Scrum Masters who manage cross-team dependencies require a solid understanding of Agile principles, facilitation techniques, and systems thinking. Getting professionally trained equips them with the right mindset and tools.

If you're looking to deepen your skills, CSM certification provides the foundation for effectively supporting teams.

AgileSeekers offers comprehensive CSM training that covers facilitation, team coaching, and delivery optimization—all essential for managing interdependencies.

Moreover, our CSM certification training enables participants to step confidently into the role of a Certified Scrum Master and drive coordination across multiple Agile teams.

While no tool can replace human collaboration, several platforms can help Scrum Masters monitor and align dependencies:

• Jira Advanced Roadmaps – Shows visual dependency links across epics and initiatives

• Miro – Useful for collaborative dependency mapping

• Confluence – Helps maintain shared documentation and dependency logs

• VersionOne – Supports scaled Agile planning and cross-team tracking

• Azure DevOps – Provides visualization and linking across work items

For teams using the SAFe framework, tools like Planview or Jira Align can support ART-level dependency coordination.

A skilled Scrum Master does more than keep the team on track—they operate at the system level to ensure collaboration, clarity, and cohesion across teams. Managing dependencies is a key part of that role.

When Scrum Masters identify risks early, foster communication, and coordinate continuously, they turn potential blockers into opportunities for better alignment. In large-scale environments, this contribution is what helps Agile scale successfully.

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 Also read - Mastering Scrum Metrics

Also see - Using Jira Effectively as a Scrum Master