Is it advisable for one person to act as both a Scrum Master and a Product Owner?

In Scrum, the roles of the Scrum Master and the Product Owner are distinct, each serving important, yet different functions. The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Scrum process, coaching the team, and removing impediments, while the Product Owner is focused on maximizing the value of the product by managing the product backlog and ensuring that stakeholders' needs are met.

Having one person serve in both roles is generally not recommended because it can lead to conflicts of interest. When one individual is responsible for both facilitating the process and making decisions about product priorities, their judgment may become biased. The Scrum Master should remain impartial and focused on enabling the team to self-organize and succeed, which can be compromised if they also have a strong influence over the product direction and decisions.

While it is technically permissible for one person to hold both roles in smaller teams or organizations with limited resources, it may hinder the effectiveness of both positions. This is why the approach is considered permissible but not ideal, making the answer that acknowledges this common concern the best choice.