CSM Certified ScrumMaster Exam Questions and Answers

TheScrum Masteris accountable for ensuring Scrum is understood and enacted. They are responsible for coaching the Scrum Team and the organization in adopting Scrum practices and principles. The Scrum Master acts as a servant leader, guiding the team and stakeholders in understanding and applying Scrum effectively to deliver value.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is accountable for:

Establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.

Helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice.

Removing impediments and fostering an environment where Scrum can thrive.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Developers:Developers are accountable for creating the Increment but not for ensuring Scrum is understood across the organization.

B. Product Owner:The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring value delivery, not for ensuring Scrum adoption.

D. Project Sponsor:There is no role of "Project Sponsor" in Scrum.

TheProduct Owneris accountable for ordering theProduct Backlog. This responsibility includes prioritizing items to maximize the value of the product and ensuring that the most important work is addressed first.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Product Owner is responsible formanaging the Product Backlog, which includesorderingthe Product Backlog items to achieve the Product Goal effectively.

The Product Owner works collaboratively with stakeholders, the Scrum Team, and other involved parties to understand priorities, but the final decision on ordering rests solely with them.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates and coaches the team but does not manage or order the Product Backlog.

B. Stakeholders:Stakeholders provide input and feedback, but they do not have the authority to order the Product Backlog.

D. Developers:Developers collaborate with the Product Owner to clarify and refine items but do not make decisions about ordering the backlog.

The entireScrum Teamcollaborates on understanding the work of the Sprint duringSprint Planning. This includes theProduct Owner,Developers, andScrum Master. Each role has a contribution:

Product Owner:Explains the Product Backlog items, priorities, and their value.

Developers:Collaborate to create a plan for delivering the selected Product Backlog itemsand achieving the Sprint Goal.

Scrum Master:Facilitates the discussion to ensure alignment and understanding but does not directly plan the work.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

"Sprint Planning initiates the Sprint by laying out the work to be performed for the Sprint. This resulting plan is created by the collaborative work of the entire Scrum Team."

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. The Scrum Master and the Developers:This excludes the Product Owner, who is essential for providing clarity and prioritization of Product Backlog items.

C. The Product Owner and the Developers:While they collaborate during Sprint Planning, the Scrum Master also plays an important role in facilitating the discussion.

D. The Developers:The Developers alone cannot decide on the Sprint Goal or select work without input from the Product Owner.

The Scrum Master ensures that the Scrum Team is working effectively bycoaching the team in self-management and cross-functionality. This enables the team to take ownership of their work, collaborate effectively, and achieve their goals.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in the following ways:

Coaching team members to improve their practices andself-management skills.

Helping the team become cross-functional so they can deliver complete, Done Increments without relying on external dependencies.

Removing impediments to their progress and facilitating productive Scrum events.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Plan Scrum implementations within the organization:While the Scrum Master supports Scrum adoption across the organization, this is not directly related to the Scrum Team's effectiveness.

B. Facilitate Scrum events:Facilitating events is part of the Scrum Master’s responsibilities, but the larger goal is to enable the team's effectiveness through coaching and guidance.

C. Report all user stories in management meetings:Scrum does not involve reporting to management in this way, as the focus is on delivering value rather than detailed reporting.

One of the key accountabilities of aScrum Masteris toimprove the Scrum Team's effectiveness. This aligns with the Scrum Master's role as a servant leader who helps the team deliver value through better practices, collaboration, and adherence to Scrum principles.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is accountable for:

Establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide, helping everyone understand its theory and practices.

Improving the Scrum Team's effectivenessby enabling the team to self-manage, improve cross-functionality, and focus on delivering high-value Increments.

Removing impedimentsthat hinder progress and supporting the team in achieving its Sprint Goals.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Set the budget:The Scrum Master does not manage budgets. Budgeting decisions are outside the scope of the Scrum framework.

B. Provide estimates:Developers are responsible for providing estimates during Product Backlog refinement and Sprint Planning.

D. Decide when to release the product:Decisions about releases are made collaboratively by theProduct Owner, often based on business needs and stakeholder input.

TheSprint Retrospectiveis heldafter the Sprint Review and before the next Sprint Planning. It is the final event in the Sprint, and its purpose is to reflect on the past Sprint and identify areas for improvement. The Scrum Team inspects how they worked during the Sprint in terms of processes, interactions, tools, and the Definition of Done, and then adapts for future Sprints.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Sprint Retrospective is time-boxed and enables the team to inspect and adapt their working practices.

It helps improve the Scrum Team's effectiveness in subsequent Sprints.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. At the beginning of the Sprint:The Sprint Retrospective is not held at the start of the Sprint. Sprint Planning occurs at the beginning of the Sprint.

C. In the middle of the Sprint:Mid-Sprint is not a designated time for this meeting; the team is focused on achieving the Sprint Goal.

D. At the end of all the Sprints:The Retrospective is held at the end ofeach Sprint, not at the conclusion of all Sprints.

Across-functional Scrum Teamis one that has all the skills necessary to deliver ausable Incrementof the product. This ensures that the team is not dependent on external groups to complete their work, enabling them to deliver value independently.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

Scrum Teams are cross-functional and self-managing.

Cross-functionality means the team includes all the necessary skills (e.g., development, testing, design) to complete the work in a Sprint and deliver an Increment.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Divided into sub-teams:Scrum discourages dividing teams based on function. The team should be collaborative and cross-functional.

B. Distributed:While Scrum Teams can be distributed geographically, this term does not define their ability to deliver a usable Increment.

D. Difficult to manage:A cross-functional Scrum Team is self-managing and does not require external management.

TheScrum Valuemost demonstrated when a team completes a task before moving on to the next one isFocus. In Scrum, the team is expected to focus on the work required to meet the Sprint Goal. Completing one task at a time shows that the team prioritizes their attention and energy on delivering work of high quality, avoiding multitasking and distractions.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, focus is one of the five Scrum Values, which include:

Commitment: Dedication to the goals of the team and the Sprint.

Focus: Concentrating on the work at hand to ensure maximum productivity and value.

Respect: Valuing each team member and their contributions.

Courage: Facing challenges and delivering value despite uncertainties.

Openness: Transparency in communication and progress.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Commitment:While commitment is important, the act of completing a task before moving to the next one primarily demonstrates focus rather than commitment to goals.

C. Respect:Respect refers to valuing team members and their contributions, not the practice of completing one task at a time.

D. Courage:Courage involves tackling difficult challenges or speaking up, but it is not directly related to task completion.

TheSprint Backlogis owned solely by theDevelopers, as they are responsible for planning, managing, and executing the work required to meet the Sprint Goal. The Sprint Backlog is ahighly visible, real-time planfor delivering the Increment. It includes:

TheSprint Goal.

The set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint.

A plan for delivering the Increment.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Developers:

Have full ownership and accountability over the Sprint Backlog.

Decide how to adapt their work plan daily to achieve the Sprint Goal.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum process but does not own the Sprint Backlog.

C. Product Owner:The Product Owner manages the Product Backlog, not the Sprint Backlog.

D. Scrum Team:While the Sprint Goal is owned by the entire Scrum Team, the Sprint Backlog is specifically managed and executed by the Developers.

TheDevelopersare the ones responsible for executing the work contained in the Sprint Backlog. The Sprint Backlog is created during Sprint Planning and consists of:

TheSprint Goal(why the Sprint exists).

Selected Product Backlog items(what needs to be done).

Aplanfor delivering the increment (how the work will be achieved).

Per the2020 Scrum Guide, only Developers can deliver a Done Increment at the end of the Sprint. The Developers are accountable for:

Creating a plan for the Sprint Goaland Sprint Backlog.

Executing the workto meet the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal.

Adapting their plandaily based on progress and challenges.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates the process and removes impediments but does not perform the work.

B. Scrum Team:While the Scrum Team collectively owns the Sprint Goal, only the Developers execute the actual work to meet it.

D. Product Owner:The Product Owner prioritizes the Product Backlog and ensures value delivery but does not execute the work in the Sprint Backlog.

When the Scrum Team does not understand the goal, scope, or product domain, theScrum Master should facilitate a discussion between the Stakeholders, Product Owner, and Developers. This ensures clarity and shared understanding, enabling the team to move forward effectively.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the team by:

Facilitating stakeholder collaborationas needed.

Ensuring that the Product Backlog is understoodby the Scrum Team.

Removing any barriers that hinder the team's ability to achieve the Sprint Goal.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Direct the Developers to stop working until the Product Owner improves the acceptance criteria:Stopping work is not productive, and collaboration with the Product Owner and stakeholders is the proper approach to resolving misunderstandings.

B. Cancel the Sprint and schedule a new Planning meeting:Cancelling the Sprint should be an absolute last resort and is typically done only when the Sprint Goal becomes unachievable.

C. Do nothing because this is the responsibility of the Product Owner:While the Product Owner owns the Product Backlog, the Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating collaboration and resolving impediments.

TheScrum Masteris responsible for leading and coaching the organization in its Scrum adoption. They play a critical role in helping the organization understand and implement Scrum practices, fostering an environment of empiricism and continuous improvement.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the organization by:

Leading, training, and coaching the organization in Scrum adoption.

Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach to work.

Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Customer:Customers provide requirements and feedback but do not lead or coach the organization in Scrum adoption.

B. Product Owner:The Product Owner manages the Product Backlog and focuses on delivering value but is not responsible for organizational Scrum adoption.

C. Developers:Developers are responsible for delivering the Increment and are not accountable for coaching the organization.