PSPO-I Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO I) Exam Questions and Answers

A mature Scrum Team is expected to continuously improve their quality standards and deliver potentially releasable Increments of value that meet the Definition of Done12. The Definition of Done is a shared understanding of what it means to complete a Product Backlog item, and it may vary from one Scrum Team to another3. As the Scrum Team matures, they may expand their Definition of Done to include more rigorous criteria, such as higher levels of testing, documentation, performance, security, usability, etc . This way, they ensure that their product Increment is always ready for release and meets the expectations of the stakeholders and customers12.

The Definition of Done is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, and ensures transparency of the quality of the work done1. A Product Backlog item is considered complete when it meets the Definition of Done, which means that it is usable and potentially releasable, and that it meets the quality standards set by the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The other options are not sufficient to determine the completeness of a Product Backlog item, as they may not reflect the actual value and quality of the product.

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 13

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

Multiple Scrum Teams working on the same product do not have to have the same Sprint start date. The Scrum Guide does not prescribe any synchronization of Sprints across multiple teams1. However, it is recommended that the teams align their Sprint cadence and duration, and coordinate their dependencies and integration through a shared Product Backlog, a common Definition of Done, and frequent communication2. This way, the teams can deliver a coherent and valuable product Increment every Sprint[3][3].

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 9

2: Managing Products with Agility, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

[3][3]: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

The Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable increment every Sprint. The Increment is the sum of all Product Backlog items Done during a Sprint and the value of all the previous Increments. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable and useful Increment every Sprint1. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team1. The Developers are responsible for creating a Done Increment that meets the Sprint Goal1. The Scrum Master is responsible for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide and helping everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values1. References:

• Scrum Guide
• What is an Increment and how Does it Connect with the other Elements of Scrum?
• The Professional Product Owner

The Scrum Guide states that "The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute time-boxed event for the Development Team to synchronize activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours."1 The Daily Scrum is a quick and simple planning meeting designed to keep everyone in the loop with how other team members are getting on. It ensures that team members are fully aligned with each other and on track to hit the Sprint Goal.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 11
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Team includes skilled individuals who together have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint.

According to the Scrum Guide1, “Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint.” This implies that the team does not depend on external resources or specialists to deliver a product increment. The other options do not reflect the true meaning of cross-functionality in Scrum.

1: The Scrum Team | Scrum.org

According to the Scrum Guide, if a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it should not be included in the Increment for the Sprint1. The item is considered unfinished and therefore cannot be part of the Increment that may be released or presented as ‘Done’. The undone work should be re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog for the Product Owner to prioritize for future Sprints2. This ensures transparency and maintains the integrity of the Increment’s quality.

References: The Scrum Guide provides clear guidance on handling undone work and emphasizes the importance of the Definition of Done as a quality standard for the Increment1. The Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO I) materials also align with this approach, underscoring the Product Owner’s role in managing the Product Backlog and ensuring that only ‘Done’ items are considered for release

• The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product.
• The Product Owner is accountable for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
• All planned work for the Product done by the Scrum Team must originate from the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team does not work on anything that is not in the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team does not add or remove anything from the Product Backlog without consulting with the Product Owner. The Scrum Team does not accept or implement any requests or changes that are not in the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team does not create any other artifacts or documents that are not derived from or related to the Product Backlog.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog
• Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
• Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum

• The Product Owner is one person, not a committee or a team of people. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• Having multiple Product Owners for one product would create conflicts, overlaps, gaps, and inefficiencies. It would also make it harder to maintain a clear and consistent product vision, strategy, roadmap, and backlog. Therefore, the Scrum Team can not have multiple Product Owners.
• The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog. The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product. The Product Owner orders the items in the Product Backlog based on factors such as value, risk, priority, dependency, feedback, or market conditions.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
• Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog

The Sprint Backlog is the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, plus a plan for delivering the product Increment and realizing the Sprint Goal1. The Sprint Backlog is a forecast by the Developers about what functionality will be in the next Increment and the work needed to deliver that functionality into a “Done” Increment1. The Sprint Backlog makes visible all the work that the Developers identify as necessary to meet the Sprint Goal1. The Sprint Backlog can include any items that the Developers deem necessary to achieve the Sprint Goal, such as user stories, tasks, use cases, tests, or others. The Sprint Backlog is a plan with enough detail that changes in progress can be understood in the Daily Scrum1.

References:

• The Scrum Guide, section 3.3. Sprint Backlog
• Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) Learning Path, section 2.2. The Product Owner and the Sprint
• Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) Sample Questions, question 11

• Customer satisfaction is a measure of how well a product or service meets or exceeds the expectations and needs of the customers. It is an important indicator of the value and quality of a product or service, and it can affect the loyalty, retention, and profitability of the customers.
• Customer satisfaction should be measured frequently, as it can change over time depending on various factors, such as the market conditions, the customer feedback, the product updates, the competitor actions, and the customer behavior. Measuring customer satisfaction frequently can help the Product Owner and the Scrum Team to inspect and adapt their product vision, strategy, roadmap, backlog, and increments based on the customer needs and preferences. It can also help them to identify and resolve any issues or gaps that may affect the customer satisfaction and value delivery.
• Measuring customer satisfaction quarterly, daily, or annually is not optimal, as it may not reflect the current state of the customer satisfaction and may miss some opportunities or risks that may arise in between the measurement intervals. Quarterly measurement may be too slow to respond to the fast-changing market and customer demands. Daily measurement may be too noisy and costly to collect and analyze. Annual measurement may be too outdated and irrelevant to inform the product decisions.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Customer Satisfaction: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/customer-satisfaction/

In accordance with Scrum theory, a group of 100 people should be divided into multiple Scrum Teams by understanding the product, the product vision and the rules of the Scrum framework, and then dividing themselves into teams because:

• It respects the self-organization and empowerment of the people. The people are the ones who have the knowledge, skills, and experience to create and deliver the product. They are also the ones who will work together as Scrum Teams, collaborating and coordinating their efforts. Therefore, they should have the autonomy and authority to decide how to form their teams, based on their preferences, interests, and capabilities.
• It supports the alignment and coherence of the Scrum Teams. The people should have a clear and shared understanding of the product, the product vision, and the rules of the Scrum framework before forming their teams. This can help them to align their goals and missions, to ensure that they are working on the same product and towards the same vision. It can also help them to follow the same principles and practices of Scrum, to ensure that they are working effectively and consistently.
• It fosters the collaboration and synergy of the Scrum Teams. The people should form their teams in a way that maximizes their collaboration and synergy. This can mean choosing team members that complement each other’s skills and strengths, that have good rapport and trust, that can communicate and coordinate well, and that can deliver a valuable Increment each Sprint.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 5: “Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value in each Sprint.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 5: “Scrum Teams are self-managing, meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and how.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 9: “Multiple Scrum Teams working together on a product use one Product Backlog.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 9: “The Product Owner is one person, not a committee.”

A Product Backlog is:

• Managed by the Product Owner. The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog, which is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. They must ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible, and understood by everyone who needs to work on it.
• An inventory of things to be done for the Product. The Product Backlog contains all the features, functions, requirements, enhancements, and fixes that constitute the changes to be made to the product in future releases. The Product Backlog items have a description, an order, an estimate, and a value.
• Ordered based on priority, value, dependencies, and risk. The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog items based on various factors that affect their importance and urgency for the product. These may include customer needs, business value, stakeholder feedback, technical dependencies, or market opportunities.

Other options, such as an exhaustive list of upfront approved requirements to be implemented or only visible to the Product Owner and stakeholders, are not valid descriptions of a Product Backlog. They may reflect a misunderstanding of what a Product Backlog is or how Scrum works.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”

The practices that might help the Product Owner minimize waste in developing and sustaining the Product Backlog are:

• Remove items from the Product Backlog that have not been addressed in a long time. This helps keep the Product Backlog relevant, concise, and focused on delivering value. Items that have not been addressed in a long time may indicate that they are not important, feasible, or desirable anymore. They may also clutter or confuse the Product Backlog and make it harder to order and prioritize.
• Only fully describe Product Backlog items when it seems likely they will be implemented. This helps avoid spending too much time or effort on items that may change or be discarded later. Items that are likely to be implemented soon should have more detail and precision than items that are further away or uncertain. The level of detail and precision required for each item depends on its order, size, and complexity.

Other options, such as avoiding distracting the Scrum Team by maintaining newly gathered Product Backlog items in a separate Product Backlog until they are fully understood or handing off ownership of the Product Backlog to someone else, are not practices that might help minimize waste in developing and sustaining the Product Backlog. They may actually create more waste by reducing transparency, collaboration, alignment, or ownership.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”

A Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product that is the result of the work of the Scrum Team. However, they can delegate some of their responsibilities to others, while still remaining accountable for the work. Two of the responsibilities that can be delegated to others are:

• Attending the Sprint Retrospective. The Sprint Retrospective is an event where the Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done. The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to improve quality and effectiveness. The Product Owner may attend the Sprint Retrospective as one of the Scrum Team members who has a stake in the outcome of the product development. However, they can also choose not to attend or delegate their attendance to someone else who can represent their interests and perspectives.
• Attending the Sprint Review. The Sprint Review is an event where the Scrum Team and stakeholders inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. The purpose of the Sprint Review is to elicit feedback and foster collaboration. The Product Owner is accountable for ensuring that key stakeholders attend the Sprint Review and that they understand what has been done and what can be done next. However, they can also delegate some of their tasks to others who can facilitate or present the Increment on their behalf.

Other options, such as ordering Product Backlog items or developing and communicating the Product Goal, are not responsibilities that can be delegated to others by the Product Owner. They are essential accountabilities that only the Product Owner can perform.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 18, section “Sprint Retrospective”
• [Scrum Guide], page 17, section “Sprint Review”
• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”

The Product Owner should not have the entire Product Backlog documented in detail before the first Sprint can start. This is because:

• The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is never complete and constantly changes to reflect the needs and desires of the customers, users, and stakeholders.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They are responsible for identifying and articulating the Product Goal, which is a long-term objective for the product that guides all the activities of the Scrum Team.
• The Product Owner collaborates with the Developers and the stakeholders to refine the Product Backlog as needed to ensure that there are enough items that are sufficiently clear and ready for selection in Sprint Planning. The amount of detail and precision required for each Product Backlog item depends on its order, size, and complexity.
• The Product Owner does not need to have the entire Product Backlog documented in detail before the first Sprint can start, as this would imply a fixed and upfront plan that does not allow for feedback, learning, and adaptation. Instead, the Product Owner only needs to have enough items that are well understood and valuable for the Scrum Team to start working on them in the first Sprint.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”

• Transparency is one of the three pillars of Scrum, along with inspection and adaptation. Transparency means that all aspects of the Scrum process and the product are visible and understandable to everyone who needs to work on or with them. Transparency enables effective inspection and adaptation, which are essential for delivering valuable products and improving the Scrum Team’s performance.
• All Scrum artifacts must be transparent to ensure sufficient accuracy of inspection. Scrum artifacts include the Product Backlog, the Sprint Backlog, and the Increment. The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product.
• Two measures that ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent are:
• The other options are not valid or relevant measures to ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent. They are either too restrictive, arbitrary, or unrelated to the Product Backlog’s transparency. They are:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Transparency: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/transparency-scrum-value
• Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog
• MoSCoW: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/moscow/

The main topic of discussion is the product Increment, which is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints1. The product Increment is demonstrated and inspected by the attendees, and feedback is collected to inform the next Sprint Planning12. The Sprint Review may also include other topics, such as the Product Backlog, the Product Goal, the market conditions, the budget, and the timeline, but the product Increment is the essential topic1234. The Scrum process, and how it was used during the Sprint, is not a topic for the Sprint Review, but rather for the Sprint Retrospective, which is a separate event where the Scrum Team inspects and adapts its way of working1. Coding and engineering practices are also not relevant for the Sprint Review, as they are internal aspects of the Development Team that do not affect the value of the product Increment1. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The product Increment.

Correct Answer: True

Explanation: Dependencies are relationships between Product Backlog items that affect their order of implementation. For example, a Product Backlog item may depend on another one to be completed first, or it may have a dependency on a third-party system or resource. Dependencies could influence how the Product Owner orders Product Backlog items, as they may introduce risks, constraints, or uncertainties that affect the value delivery. The Product Owner should try to minimize dependencies and order the Product Backlog items in a way that maximizes value and minimizes waste.

References:

• [Professional Scrum Product Owner], chapter 6: “Dependencies are relationships between Product Backlog items that affect their order of implementation.”
• [Managing Dependencies on Agile Projects]: “Dependencies can have a significant impact on the delivery of value.”

The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring that the value of the work the Scrum Team performs is understood by everyone involved. The Product Owner is the only person who can cancel the Sprint, although he or she may do so under influence from the stakeholders, the Development Team, or the Scrum Master1. A Sprint can be cancelled before the Sprint time-box is over. Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint, although he or she may do so under influence from the stakeholders, the Development Team, or the Scrum Master. A Sprint would be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. This might occur if the company changes direction or if market or technology conditions change. In general, a Sprint should be cancelled if it no longer makes sense given the circumstances. But, due to the short duration of Sprints, cancellation rarely makes sense1. References:

• Scrum Guide
• Sprint Cancellation
• Can Scrum Master cancel a sprint?

The Sprint Retrospective is an event for the Scrum Team to inspect how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done1. The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to increase quality and effectiveness for the next Sprint2. Therefore, appropriate topics for discussion during a Sprint Retrospective are:

Identifying high priority process improvements for the next Sprint. The Scrum Team should identify the most important things that went well and the potential improvements, and create a plan for implementing some of them in the next Sprint[3][3]. This way, the Scrum Team can continuously improve their performance and deliver more value.

How the team collaborates. The Scrum Team should reflect on how they work together as a self-managing unit, and how they can enhance their skills, tools, and relationships4. This way, the Scrum Team can foster a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.

The other options are not appropriate topics for discussion during a Sprint Retrospective, as they are either related to the Product Backlog or the Sprint Backlog, which are not the focus of the Sprint Retrospective. The order of items in the Product Backlog is the responsibility of the Product Owner, who manages the Product Backlog based on the value, risk, and dependencies of the items5. The Product Owner may seek input from the Scrum Team or the stakeholders, but the final decision is up to the Product Owner. Documenting acceptance criteria for items in the next Sprint is part of the Product Backlog refinement, which is an ongoing activity throughout the Sprint, not a specific event. The Scrum Team should collaborate on refining the Product Backlog items and adding more details, such as acceptance criteria, as they become more clear and ready for selection in a Sprint Planning.

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 14

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 15

[3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 15

4: Developing People and Teams, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

5: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 7

 The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10

 The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10

 Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

The Scrum Master is a servant-leader for the Scrum Team, who helps the team understand and enact Scrum values, principles, and practices1. The Scrum Master also facilitates Scrum events as requested or needed2. The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers to inspect their progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary[3][3]. It is a key opportunity for the Developers to plan their work for the next 24 hours and collaborate on any challenges or impediments4. The Scrum Master should coach the team on the purpose and value of the Daily Scrum, and help them find ways to make it more effective and enjoyable. The Scrum Master should also learn why the Developers want to reduce the frequency of the Daily Scrum, and work with them to address any underlying issues or concerns. The Scrum Master should not impose a decision on the team, nor delegate the decision to a vote, as these actions would undermine the self-management and empowerment of the Developers5.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 7
• 2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 11
• [3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10
• 4: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

The ideal time for refinement to take place and who should participate are the Scrum Team during the current Sprint, if they have been unable during preceding Sprints to define Product Backlog items with enough precision to begin work, and the Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items that are ready for selection. This is because:

• Product Backlog refinement is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to Product Backlog items. It is an ongoing and collaborative process that involves the whole Scrum Team.
• The Scrum Team should refine the Product Backlog as needed to ensure that there are enough items that are sufficiently clear and ready for selection in Sprint Planning. The amount of time spent on refinement usually varies from one Scrum Team to another, but it is recommended not to exceed 10% of the capacity of the Developers.
• The Scrum Team may also use a Sprint to refine the Product Backlog if they have not been able to do so in previous Sprints. This may happen when the product is new or complex, or when there is a significant change in the product vision or direction. However, this should be an exception rather than a rule, as it may delay the delivery of value and feedback.

Other options, such as business analysts doing the refinement work for the Scrum Team, the Product Owner doing the refinement alone in Sprint 0 or between Sprints, or handing off the ownership of the Product Backlog to someone else, are not consistent with the principles and values of Scrum. They may lead to misunderstandings, misalignment, or loss of ownership and accountability.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 8, section “Release Management”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 9, section “Business Strategy”

The Definition of Done is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, and to ensure transparency. The Scrum Guide states that "The Developers are required to conform to the Definition of Done, as defined by the Scrum Team. If there are multiple Scrum Teams working together on a product, they must mutually define and comply with the same Definition of Done."1 This means that the Product Owner does not have the final say over the Definition of Done, but rather collaborates with the Developers and the Scrum Master to agree on the quality standards and expectations for the product.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 14
• 2: The Scrum Guide

 The best way to minimize dependencies between the Scrum Teams is to work with the Developers on how to best analyze and break apart the work. This is because:

• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment in every Sprint. They must ensure that every Product Backlog item they work on meets the Definition of Done before it is considered complete.
• The Developers are self-managing professionals who organize and manage their own work. They decide how to best accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the Scrum Team.
• The Developers are cross-functional, meaning they have all the skills and competencies needed to accomplish the work without depending on others who are not part of the team.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They are responsible for identifying and articulating the Product Goal, which is a long-term objective for the product that guides all the activities of the Scrum Team.
• The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog, which is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. They must ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible, and understood by everyone who needs to work on it.
• The Product Owner and the Developers must collaborate closely throughout the Sprint to ensure that they have a shared understanding of what they are building and why. The Product Owner must provide clarifications, feedback, and guidance to the Developers as needed to help them create a valuable Increment.
• When there are multiple teams working on one product, it is important to minimize dependencies between them to avoid delays, conflicts, or waste. Dependencies may arise due to technical, functional, or organizational factors that affect how the teams can deliver value independently and effectively.
• To minimize dependencies, the Product Owner should work with the Developers on how to best analyze and break apart the work into smaller and more manageable pieces that can be delivered by each team without relying on others. This may involve applying techniques such as feature slicing, component splitting, or domain-driven design. The Product Owner should also communicate and coordinate with other Product Owners and stakeholders to align expectations and priorities across teams.

Other options, such as creating an independent Product Backlog per Scrum Team, dividing Product Backlog items among six Product Owners, identifying the dependencies and re-ordering the Product Backlog for the other five Product Owners, or raising this as an impediment with the Scrum Master, are not valid answers as they do not reflect how to minimize dependencies between the Scrum Teams or how to apply the Scrum values and principles.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “Developers”
• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Definition of Done”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Increment”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 9, section “Business Strategy”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 8, section “Release Management”

The Sprint Retrospective is a time-boxed event for the Scrum Team to inspect how the last Sprint went and plan for improvements in the next Sprint. The Scrum Guide states that "The Sprint Retrospective concludes the Sprint. It is timeboxed to a maximum of three hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter."1 This means that the Sprint Retrospective should be held at the end of each Sprint, regardless of the project or release status. The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements, including to product quality and working relationships.1

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 16
• 2: The Scrum Guide

Correct Answers: A, C, and D.

Explanation: The Sprint Retrospective is an event where the Scrum Team reflects on how they worked together in the last Sprint and identifies ways to improve their collaboration, processes, and quality. Therefore, appropriate topics for discussion in a Sprint Retrospective are:

• Team relations: The Scrum Team should discuss how they communicated, interacted, and supported each other during the Sprint. They should celebrate their successes, acknowledge their challenges, and address any conflicts or issues that arose. They should also share feedback, appreciation, and suggestions for improvement with each other.
• How the Scrum Team does its work: The Scrum Team should inspect the methods, tools, and practices they used to deliver the product increment. They should evaluate what worked well and what could be improved. They should also identify any impediments, risks, or dependencies that affected their work and how they handled them.
• Definition of Done: The Scrum Team should review their Definition of Done and check if it is still relevant, clear, and achievable. They should also assess how well they adhered to it and if they delivered a potentially releasable product increment that meets the quality standards. They should also consider if they need to update or adapt their Definition of Done based on new insights or feedback.

The following topics are not appropriate for discussion in a Sprint Retrospective:

• The value of work currently represented in the Product Backlog: The value of the Product Backlog items is the responsibility of the Product Owner, who should continuously refine and order them based on stakeholder needs and feedback. The value of the Product Backlog items is not directly related to how the Scrum Team works together and does not affect their improvement actions for the next Sprint.
• Arranging the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint: The Sprint Backlog is the plan for the next Sprint that is created by the Scrum Team during the Sprint Planning event. The Sprint Backlog is based on the Product Backlog items that are selected for the next Sprint and how the Developers intend to accomplish them. The Sprint Retrospective is not a planning event but a reflection event that focuses on the past Sprint.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], section 3.5: “The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to increase quality and effectiveness.”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner], chapter 7: “The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint.”
• What is a Sprint Retrospective? | Scrum.org: “During each Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team plans ways to increase product quality by improving work processes or adapting the definition of “Done” if appropriate and not in conflict with product or organizational standards.”
• The Sprint Retrospective - What It Is & Tips for Making the Most of Your Meeting: “The focus is on how the team worked together in the last sprint, including: Communication Teamwork Process Tools Systems Work environment Missing competencies Collaboration with external parties”

The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team. The Product Backlog is dynamic; it constantly changes to identify what the product needs to be appropriate, competitive, and useful. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the Product Backlog, as it does not contain all foreseeable tasks and requirements, it does not provide just enough information to start the design phase, and it is not baselined to follow change management processes23.

1: What is a Product Backlog? | Scrum.org 2: What is a Product Backlog? | Agile Alliance 3: Product Backlog: Definition, Examples & Techniques | Wrike Guide

The Daily Scrum is an event for and by the Developers. They can choose whatever structure and technique they want, as long as they focus on the progress toward the Sprint Goal and produce an actionable plan for the next day of work12. The Scrum Master, the Product Owner, and the person coming in last are not necessarily the ones who should start the Daily Scrum. The person who has the token is a possible technique, but not the only one3.

the first Sprint is the same as any other Sprint, and the Scrum Team should deliver a potentially releasable Increment of "Done" product at its conclusion. This means that the team should build at least one piece of valuable functionality that meets the Definition of Done and aligns with the Sprint Goal. The other options are not things that the Scrum Team should do during the first Sprint, as they are either too detailed, too vague, or too long-term for the Scrum framework. The Scrum Team should not make up a plan for the rest of the project, as Scrum is an empirical process that adapts to changing requirements and feedback1. The Scrum Team should not define the major product features and a release plan architecture, as these are the responsibilities of the Product Owner, who should have a vision and a roadmap for the product2. The Scrum Team should not analyze, describe, and document the requirements for the subsequent Sprints, as this would violate the principle of emergent design and just-in-time planning3.

1: The Scrum Guide | Scrum.org 2: What is a Product Owner? | Scrum.org 3: Emergent Design and Just-in-Time Planning | Scrum.org

The Product Owner is typically responsible for collaborating with stakeholders, users, and customers to understand their needs and expectations, and to validate the value of the product. The Product Owner is also responsible for working with the Scrum Team on Product Backlog refinement, which is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to Product Backlog items.1 These two responsibilities help the Product Owner to maximize the value of the product and the work of the Developers.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 18
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Team is a self-managing unit that organizes its own work and delivers a valuable product1. The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers2. The Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint[3][3]. If a Developer is having conflicts with other team members that affect the delivery of the Increment, the Scrum Team is responsible for resolving the issue and deciding whether to remove the Developer from the team or not. The Product Owner, the Scrum Master, and the hiring manager do not have the authority to remove a Developer from the Scrum Team, as this would violate the principle of self-management4.

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 5

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

[3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 9

4: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

 The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog items according to various criteria, such as:

• The value of Product Backlog items. The Product Owner aims to maximize the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. Therefore, they prioritize the items that deliver the most value to the stakeholders and the users, considering factors such as customer satisfaction, market share, revenue, social impact, etc.
• The dependencies between Product Backlog items. The Product Owner tries to minimize the dependencies between items, as they may create complexity, uncertainty, and risk. Therefore, they order the items in a way that reduces or eliminates the dependencies, or resolves them as early as possible.
• The dependencies to other products. The Product Owner also considers the dependencies that the product has to other products, such as platforms, frameworks, libraries, services, etc. Therefore, they order the items in a way that aligns with the availability and compatibility of those products.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … ordering Product Backlog items; and, ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The ordering of the items in the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner. They order Product Backlog items to best achieve goals and missions.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “Higher ordered Product Backlog items are clearer and more refined than lower ordered ones.”

 A Sprint may be cancelled when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. This is because:

• The Sprint Goal is a short-term objective that provides guidance and focus to the Scrum Team throughout the Sprint. It is a flexible and negotiable commitment that can be adjusted as more is learned throughout the Sprint.
• The Sprint is a container for all other Scrum events and activities. It is a time-box of one month or less during which a “Done” Increment is created that meets the Sprint Goal. The Sprint has a consistent duration throughout a development effort and only changes duration between Sprints.
• A Sprint may be cancelled before it is over by the Product Owner if they determine that the Sprint Goal is no longer valid or valuable. This may happen due to various reasons, such as a significant change in the market, technology, business direction, or customer needs.
• A cancelled Sprint should be rare and exceptional. It implies a waste of time and resources that could have been spent on delivering value. It also disrupts the rhythm and flow of the Scrum Team and the stakeholders.
• When a Sprint is cancelled, any completed and “Done” Product Backlog items are reviewed and potentially released. Any incomplete Product Backlog items are re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team then plans for a new Sprint.

Other options, such as when the Developers determine the product plan is infeasible, when it becomes clear that not everything will be finished by the end of the Sprint, or when the sales department has an important new opportunity, are not valid reasons for cancelling a Sprint. They may reflect a misunderstanding of what a Sprint Goal is or how Scrum works.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 15, section “Sprint Goal”
• [Scrum Guide], page 9, section “Sprint”
• [Scrum Guide], page 16, section “Cancelling a Sprint”

The Developers are the ones who determine how many Product Backlog items they select for a Sprint. The Developers are self-managing and decide how much work they can do in a Sprint1. The Product Owner and the Developers collaborate on the scope of the Sprint during Sprint Planning, but the final decision is up to the Developers2. The Product Owner, the Scrum Master, and the stakeholders do not have the authority to tell the Developers how many Product Backlog items they should select, as this would violate the principle of self-management[3][3].

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10

[3][3]: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

• False: Product Owners do not have to specify complete acceptance criteria for a Product Backlog item before the Developers can select the item in Sprint Planning.
• Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions that a Product Backlog item must satisfy to be considered “Done” and acceptable for delivery.
• Acceptance criteria are not mandatory in Scrum, but they can help the Product Owner and the Developers to clarify the expectations and requirements of a Product Backlog item.
• Acceptance criteria can be added or refined by the Product Owner at any time, but they should be clear and testable before the Sprint starts.
• The Developers can select a Product Backlog item in Sprint Planning based on their understanding of its value, scope, and complexity, as well as their capacity and skills. They can also collaborate with the Product Owner to define or refine the acceptance criteria during Sprint Planning. References: Scrum Guide, Section 3.4 (The Product Backlog), Section 5.1 (Sprint Planning), and Section 6.4 (The Increment)

According to the Scrum Guide1, the Developers are responsible for selecting the amount of work they can do in a Sprint, based on their capacity and past performance2. If they realize that the workload may be greater than their capacity, they can either remove or change some of the selected Product Backlog items, or they can start the Sprint and monitor the progress, making adjustments as needed3. Recruiting additional Developers, canceling the Sprint, or working overtime are not valid actions, as they would disrupt the Scrum values of commitment, focus, and respect

The advantages of a Product Owner sharing a clearly defined Product Goal with the Scrum Team are:

• It provides a good overall direction so Sprints will feel less like isolated pieces of work. The Product Goal is a long-term objective for the product that guides all the activities of the Scrum Team. It helps the Scrum Team align their efforts and focus on delivering value that contributes to the product vision.
• It helps the Scrum Team keep focus and they can weigh any decision against the Product Goal. The Product Goal serves as a filter for deciding what to work on and what not to work on. It helps the Scrum Team prioritize and optimize their work based on value and impact.
• It is easier to inspect incremental progress at the Sprint Review. The Sprint Review is an event where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders collaborate on the product and inspect how it meets the Product Goal. The Increment is a concrete and usable outcome of the Sprint that provides a measure of progress towards the Product Goal.

Other options, such as helping the Developers estimate the date that the Product Backlog will be complete or being not mandatory in Scrum, are not valid advantages of having a Product Goal. They may reflect a misunderstanding of what a Product Goal is or how Scrum works.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 6, section “Product Vision”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”
• [Scrum Guide], page 13, section “Sprint Review”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Increment”

• The Scrum Team is a self-organizing and cross-functional team that delivers valuable products in an agile way. The Scrum Team consists of one Product Owner, one Scrum Master, and Developers. They are all accountable for creating a valuable, useful, and potentially releasable product Increment each Sprint.
• The Scrum Team is responsible for making sure everyone on the Scrum Team does their tasks for the Sprint. The Scrum Team does not rely on any external authority, manager, or leader to assign or monitor their work. The Scrum Team collaborates and coordinates their work as one unit, without any hand-offs or silos. The Scrum Team also inspects and adapts their work based on empirical evidence and feedback.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
• The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. The Scrum Master does this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization.
• The other options are not valid or relevant answers for who should make sure everyone on the Scrum Team does their tasks for the Sprint. They are either nonexistent or irrelevant roles in Scrum. They are:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Scrum Team: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-scrum-team
• Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
• Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum
• Scrum Master: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-scrum-master

• In Scrum, there is only one product and one Product Backlog for a given product. The Product Backlog is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product. The Product Backlog is ordered by the Product Owner based on the product vision, goals, and value.
• Having multiple Product Backlogs for one product would create confusion, duplication, inconsistency, and waste. It would also make it harder to align the Scrum Teams and the stakeholders on the same product direction and priorities. Therefore, each Scrum Team should not have a separate Product Backlog.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• Having multiple Product Owners for one product would create conflicts, overlaps, gaps, and inefficiencies. It would also make it harder to maintain a clear and consistent product vision, strategy, roadmap, and backlog. Therefore, there should be only one Product Owner for one product.
• In some cases, when there are multiple Scrum Teams working on one product, it may be necessary to have some form of scaling or coordination mechanism to ensure alignment and collaboration among the teams. However, this does not mean that there should be multiple Product Owners or Product Backlogs. Instead, there should be ways to facilitate communication, feedback, integration, and transparency among the teams and with the Product Owner. For example, some frameworks or practices that can help with scaling Scrum are Nexus, LeSS, SAFe, or Scrum of Scrums.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Nexus: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-nexus
• LeSS: https://less.works/
• SAFe: https://www.scaledagileframework.com/
• Scrum of Scrums: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/scrum-of-scrums/

A Product Owner orders a Product Backlog in any way they think will maximize the value of the product1. They take various factors into consideration when ordering the Product Backlog such as business value, risk, return on investment (ROI), dependencies and impact1. Dependencies between Product Backlog items and their relevance to achieving the Product Goal are two of these factors12. The availability of the Scrum Master and the number of stakeholders who approve of the item are not valid criteria for ordering the Product Backlog3.

The Scrum Master’s role includes coaching the Scrum Team and helping them understand Scrum practices. If the Product Owner is struggling with ordering the Product Backlog, the Scrum Master should offer guidance and support to help the Product Owner understand that the primary goal of ordering the Product Backlog is to maximize the value delivered to the customer. This involves considering factors such as business value, risk, return on investment (ROI), dependencies, and impact. The Scrum Master can facilitate this understanding and help the Product Owner apply it to the ordering of the Product Backlog items.

References: The Scrum Guide and resources from Scrum.org provide insights into the role of the Scrum Master in supporting the Product Owner and ensuring that the Product Backlog is ordered in a way that maximizes value

The Sprint Backlog is created during Sprint Planning, where the Developers select the Product Backlog items that they can deliver in the Sprint and create a plan for how to do the work. The Scrum Guide states that "The Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint (what), as well as an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (how)."1 The Sprint Backlog is owned and managed by the Developers, who can update it throughout the Sprint as more is learned.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 15
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Guide states that “the Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint”. It also states that “the Developers can do the work of any other role on the Scrum Team, as long as accountability is met”. Therefore, the Developers on the Scrum Team should write the user documentation, as it is part of the Definition of Done and the work needed to deliver a “Done” Increment. The other options are not acceptable, as they violate the Scrum values of commitment, focus, and respect, and they create dependencies, delays, and waste.

References:

• The Scrum Guide, section 2.2. Developers
• Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) Learning Path, section 2.3. The Product Owner and the Definition of Done
• Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) Sample Questions, question 12

The Sprint Retrospective is one of the five events defined by Scrum. It is a formal opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to adapt the way of working so that it becomes more effective and enjoyable. The other options are not required by Scrum, but may be useful practices depending on the context. Developers do not have to stand up at the Daily Scrum, they can choose any format that works for them. A Sprint Burndown Chart is a common way to visualize the remaining work in a Sprint, but it is not mandated by Scrum. Release Planning is a topic that falls under the broader competency of Managing Products with Agility, but it is not a prescribed event in Scrum.

References:

• The Scrum Guide
• Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
• Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I Certification

Developers are self-managing, which means that they decide how much work they can do in a Sprint, and how they will do it1. They manage the Sprint Backlog, which is the plan for how the Developers will achieve the Sprint Goal, and the single source of truth for the work to be done in the Sprint2. The Developers create and update the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint as more is learned[3][3]. The other options are not managed by the Developers, but by the Product Owner or the Scrum Team as a whole. The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog, which is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product4. The Product Owner also decides when to release the product, based on the value, risk, and stakeholder feedback5. The Scrum Team collaborates on inviting the stakeholders for the Sprint Review, which is an event where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders inspect the product Increment and adapt the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team also decides the Sprint length, which is the time-box within which the Scrum Team delivers a product Increment.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6
• 2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10
• [3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10
• 4: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6
• 5: Managing Products with Agility, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023
• : The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 13
• : The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 9

Scrum

Explore

The correct answers are A and D.

A. Coach the Scrum Team to improve its skills, tools and environment over time and adjust the Definition of Done accordingly. This is an appropriate action for a Scrum Master, as it helps the Scrum Team to overcome the impediments that prevent them from delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Definition of Done should reflect the current reality of the Scrum Team, but also be a source of continuous improvement12.

D. Have the Scrum Team establish a Definition of Done that is actually possible to achieve given current circumstances. This is also an appropriate action for a Scrum Master, as it ensures that the Scrum Team has a clear and shared understanding of what it means to complete a Product Backlog item. The Definition of Done should be realistic and achievable, but also challenging and ambitious12.

B. Refocus the current Sprint on establishing the Scrum Team’s environment instead of delivering an Increment. This is not an appropriate action for a Scrum Master, as it violates the purpose of the Sprint, which is to deliver a valuable product Increment that meets the Sprint Goal. The Scrum Team should not change the Sprint Goal or scope during the Sprint, unless the Product Owner decides to cancel the Sprint3.

C. Encourage the Product Owner to accept partially done Increments until the situation improves. This is not an appropriate action for a Scrum Master, as it compromises the quality and value of the product. The Product Owner should only accept Increments that meet the Definition of Done and the acceptance criteria. Partially done Increments increase technical debt and risk, and reduce transparency and feedback12.

E. Declare the Scrum Team not ready for Scrum. This is not an appropriate action for a Scrum Master, as it undermines the Scrum values and principles. The Scrum Master should support the Scrum Team in adopting and applying Scrum, regardless of the challenges and constraints they face. The Scrum Master should foster a culture of empiricism, self-organization, collaboration, and continuous improvement.