All articles Sanna Eerola, a Scrum Master at Codemate, started her journey at the company as a developer four years ago. Before transitioning into IT, she worked in sales, marketing, and design, and her interest in the tech industry only emerged later in life.
– I started running my own business alongside my job and studies as a sole proprietor. At first, a friend needed a website, and I had experience in building them. Soon, other clients started coming in as well, Sanna recalls.
However, she never seriously considered becoming a full-time entrepreneur. She had come across Codemate several times and had developed a positive impression of the company. What convinced her the most was the fact that many people who had left Codemate later decided to return.
– It’s quite unusual for so many people to want to come back after leaving. That says a lot about the company – they must be doing something right, Sanna explains.
Read how Vesse Saastamoinen combines his two passions while working at CodemateSanna’s path to becoming a Scrum Master was driven by customer needs
Scrum is one of the most popular frameworks for agile software development. It defines the structure and rules for a team’s operations – who is responsible for what, what the focus should be, and what the goals are. It also defines specific ceremonies (meetings) and their purpose. The ultimate aim is to increase transparency, continuously review progress, and enable quick adaptations to changing situations.
– As a Scrum Master, I’m essentially responsible for the team, its efficiency, and ensuring that Scrum is properly implemented, Sanna summarises.
Sanna’s transition to the Scrum Master role began in response to a customer need. She was working on a client project where the team grew significantly and had to be split in two. She had already been interested in taking on more responsibility, so she eagerly embraced the opportunity to train as a Scrum Master with Codemate’s support.
– Codemate enabled me to obtain the PSM certification and provided all the necessary training. Initially, I worked as a “Second Scrum Master,” leading daily meetings and other ceremonies, and sometimes overseeing entire sprints. A while ago, I moved fully into the Scrum Master role and now manage two teams.
– At Codemate, we handle a wide variety of clients and projects, each with unique needs. In some cases, Scrum works exceptionally well, providing clear structures, routines, and transparency. In smaller projects, we can selectively apply Scrum practices as needed, Sanna describes.
A Scrum Master ensures the team stays focused on the right things
A Scrum Master’s role is multifaceted, and strong self-management skills are crucial for success. We live in an ever-changing world where the pace of change is accelerating, but according to Sanna, maintaining a positive attitude towards change is essential.
– If a project encounters a problem or challenge, it’s important to create a positive mindset within the team and steer focus in the right direction. Instead of dwelling on problems, we concentrate on solutions: what needs to change to move forward, Sanna emphasises.
Sanna believes that good self-management and prioritisation skills have been key to her success as a Scrum Master. The job is neither simple nor straightforward, and her focus is always on people and the team.
– I enjoy working with people and getting to know them closely. Changes are inevitable, and adapting to them keeps the work interesting and challenging in the right way. If it were too easy, it would be boring, Sanna says with a smile.
Her job brings plenty of moments of success. Whether it’s a team achievement, improved communication, or solving a difficult challenge, she celebrates those wins together with her team.
– The best moments are when the team atmosphere is open, and everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. That’s when we find the best solutions together.
Sanna works on-site at the client’s office several days a week because she wants to stay close to her team and finds that face-to-face communication is more effective. However, part of the large team works remotely, so meetings and dailies are primarily held online. Under Sanna’s leadership, the team made a change to improve communication in meetings.
– We now have everyone keep their cameras on during daily stand-ups. It was great to get everyone on board with this change, and it has significantly improved communication, Sanna praises.
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At Codemate, people are at the centre of everything, and according to Sanna, this is evident in the company culture. Even though many employees, including Sanna, work at client offices, Codemate’s team remains close-knit, connected by humour and a relaxed atmosphere.
– We have a lot of experienced people, and even though we work on different client projects, you can always ask anyone for help. It’s always nice to visit the office – no matter who’s there, there’s always good conversation, Sanna says.
As a Scrum Master, Sanna also values the opportunity to exchange ideas and get support within Codemate. Challenges in her work can be discussed easily, and communication happens naturally and effortlessly.
Looking ahead: more responsibility, depending on the customer
Working as a consultant means being ready to adapt to different situations and customer needs. However, Sanna hopes that in future projects, she will have opportunities to take on more responsibility, whether as a Scrum Master or in another role.
– My role always depends on the project and the client. As a consultant, it’s important to adapt to different situations and find the best approach for each case, Sanna explains.
– For now, I hope that my current client engagement continues for as long as possible. The collaboration and trust are strong, the product is interesting, and the teams working on it are highly skilled.
With responsibility also comes the occasional need to handle matters and send messages outside of working hours, especially during critical or busy periods. However, Sanna usually keeps a clear separation between work and personal life.
– Most of my free time is spent with my family, and especially my children remind me of the importance of living in the moment. Sports and exercise also provide a great counterbalance to work. I play Padel about once a week with my Codemate colleagues, Sanna shares.
– I’ve also started aerial acrobatics—it’s a great and versatile form of exercise. But I’m still very much a beginner, Sanna laughs.
Continuous growth and shared success
Sanna’s journey at Codemate is a great example of how the right environment can foster growth and new career opportunities. As a Scrum Master, she has been able to develop both herself and her teams, and her work has offered the right amount of challenge.
– The software world is incredibly interesting, both from a developer’s perspective and beyond. Codemate’s diverse projects and clients offer varying tasks, challenges, and new opportunities. And above all, the people at Codemate support one another. Succeeding together is the best part, Sanna concludes.
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