Scrum Master reporting to Product Owner?
This doesn't seem like a good set up, but I'm curious as to what your thoughts are. Is it a good idea or a bad idea for the SM to have the PO as their manager?
What are your own thoughts on this, based on your reading and understanding of the Scrum Guide?
As far as I understand, reporting doesn't matter as long as PO understand the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master. Also his/her own roles and responsibilities towards Scrum Master and doesn't direct him/her.
Since the PO is a Scrum Team member, why would he or she need reports at all? Shouldn't team transparency be adequate for product ownership purposes?
The sticky part is that the PO wants to push the Scrum Master to do things that may not be in the team's best interest - because the entire team reports to the PO - they are the manager of the team.
This bring hierarchy into the team where there should be none.
Melissa, the Product Owner is not the manager of the Development Team. The main responsibility of the Product Owner is to insure that the Development Team is offered the most valuable and critical items each sprint based on organizational needs and customer input. The Product Owner should also work with the Development Team to hold them accountable for their sprint forecast, and ensure that the Sprint Goal is achievable.
Your ending statement is spot-on, though. Hierarchy does not belong in a Scrum Team.