Scrum Scrum Certifications PSPO-I Questions & Answers

• Question 51:

  If Product Backlog refinement is needed, when is the ideal time for refinement to take place and who should participate?

  (choose the best two answers)

  A. 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.

  B. Business analysts in the organization should do this work for the Scrum Team 1- 2 Sprints ahead of the development Sprints.

  C. The Product Owner must do this as essential work in Sprint O.

  D. The Product Owner takes the time between the end of one Sprint and the start of the next Sprint to complete refinement.

  E. The Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items that are ready for selection.

  Correct Answer: AE

  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 OwnerTM Training], page 7, section "Product Backlog Management"

  [Professional Scrum Product OwnerTM Training], page 8, section "Release Management"

  [Professional Scrum Product OwnerTM Training], page 9, section "Business Strategy"

• Question 52:

  Which statement best describes a Product Owner's responsibility? (choose the best answer)

  A. Ensuring that the work meets the commitments to the stakeholders.

  B. Maximizing the value of the work the Scrum Team does.

  C. Keep stakeholders from distracting the Developers.

  D. Directing the Developers.

  Correct Answer: B

  Explanation: 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 creating and communicating a vision, ordering the Product Backlog,

  and ensuring that the best possible job is done to delight customers. The Product Owner does not manage the Developers, but collaborates with them and the Scrum Master to optimize the value delivery. The Product Owner does not ensure

  that the work meets the commitments to the stakeholders, but rather that the work delivers value to the stakeholders. The Product Owner does not keep stakeholders from distracting the Developers, but rather engages them and manages

  their expectations.

  References:

  Professional Scrum Product OwnerTM I Certification [The Scrum Guide]

  [The Product Owner]

• Question 53:

  As the Sprint Planning progresses, the Developers realize that the workload may be greater than their capacity to complete the work. Which two are valid actions?

  (choose the best two answers)

  A. Remove or change selected Product Backlog items.

  B. The Developers ensure that the Scrum Team is aware, start the Sprint, and monitor progress.

  C. Recruit additional Developers before the work can begin.

  D. Cancel the Sprint.

  E. The Developers work overtime during this Sprint.

  Correct Answer: AB

  Explanation: 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

• Question 54:

  True or False: The Product Owner makes sure the Developers select enough from the Product Backlog for a Sprint to satisfy the stakeholders.

  A. True

  B. False

  Correct Answer: B

  The Product Owner does not make sure the Developers select enough from the Product Backlog for a Sprint. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers, but 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

  should not interfere with the Developers' work during the Sprint, but should provide feedback and guidance on the product value[3][3].

  References:

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

  2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10 [3][3]: Professional Scrum Product Owner I Certification, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

• Question 55:

  What tactic should a Scrum Team use to divide a group of 100 people into multiple Scrum Teams?

  (choose the best answer)

  A. Ask the people to divide themselves into teams.

  B. Create teams based on their skills across multiple layers (such as database, UI, etc.).

  C. Ask the Product Owner to assign the people to teams.

  Correct Answer: A

  According to Scrum.org, when splitting a large group into multiple Scrum Teams, it can be beneficial to allow the people to self-organize into smaller teams12. This approach respects the principle of self-organization, which is a key aspect of Scrum12. It allows individuals to choose the team they feel they can contribute to most effectively12. However, it's important to note that this process should be facilitated and guided to ensure a balanced distribution of skills and capabilities across the teams12.

• Question 56:

  True or False: The purpose of a Sprint is to produce a valuable, useful Increment.

  A. True

  B. False

  Correct Answer: A

  The purpose of a Sprint is to produce a valuable, useful Increment that meets the Sprint Goal and the Definition of Done1. An Increment is a concrete step toward achieving the Product Goal and is the primary measure of progress in Scrum2.

  The Increment must be usable and potentially releasable, meaning that it meets the quality standards set by the Scrum Team and the stakeholders[3][3].

  References:

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

  2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6 [3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 13

• Question 57:

  Who determines when it is appropriate to update the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint?

  (choose the best answer)

  A. The Project Manager.

  B. The Scrum Team.

  C. The Developers.

  D. The Product Owner.

  Correct Answer: C

  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 Goal. The Sprint Backlog is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint, and it belongs solely to the Developers. 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 Developers are also responsible for updating the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a plan with enough detail that changes in progress can be understood in the Daily Scrum. The Developers modify the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint, and the Sprint Backlog emerges during the Sprint. This emergence occurs as the Developers work through the plan and learn more about the work needed to achieve the Sprint Goal. As new work is required, the Developers add it to the Sprint Backlog. As work is performed or completed, the estimated remaining work is updated. When elements of the plan are deemed unnecessary, they are removed. Only the Developers can change its content and order during a Sprint. References: Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html Sprint Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-backlog Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum

• Question 58:

  Your management has asked you to take the lead in the development of a new product. Six teams new to Scrum will build this product.

  You have gathered a number of requirements and ideas into an early form of a Product Backlog. How would you minimize dependencies between the Scrum Teams?

  (choose the best answer)

  A. You create an independent Product Backlog per Scrum Team.

  B. You divide Product Backlog items among the six Product Owners.

  C. You identify the dependencies and re-order the Product Backlog for the other five Product Owners.

  D. You work with the Developers on how to best analyze and break apart the work.

  E. You raise this as an impediment with the Scrum Master.

  Correct Answer: D

  Explanation: 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 OwnerTM Training], page 9, section "Business Strategy"

  [Professional Scrum Product OwnerTM Training], page 8, section "Release Management"

• Question 59:

  How is management that is external to the Scrum Team involved in the Daily Scrum?

  (choose the best answer)

  A. The Product Owner represents their opinions.

  B. The Scrum Master speaks on their behalf.

  C. Managers are not required at the Daily Scrum.

  D. Management gives an update at the start of each Daily Scrum.

  Correct Answer: C

  Management that is external to the Scrum Team is not involved in the Daily Scrum because:

  The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers to inspect their progress towards the Sprint Goal and adapt their Sprint Backlog accordingly. It is not a status meeting or a reporting session for managers or other stakeholders. The presence of

  external managers may hinder the self-organization, collaboration, and transparency of the Developers. It may also create pressure, interference, or distraction for the team.

  The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the Daily Scrum is held and that only the Developers participate. The Product Owner and other stakeholders may attend as observers, but only if the Developers find it useful.

  References:

  Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: "The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work."

  Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: "The Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work. This

  creates focus and improves self-management."

  Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: "The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Developers. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting."

• Question 60:

  Who does the work to make sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done?

  (choose the best answer)

  A. The Product Owner.

  B. The Quality Assurance Team.

  C. The Scrum Team.

  D. The Developers.

  E. The Scrum Master.

  Correct Answer: D

  The work to make sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done is done by the Developers. 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 Definition of Done is a

  formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It is a shared understanding among the Scrum Team and the stakeholders of what "Done" means for any Product Backlog item that

  is selected for a Sprint. 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.

  Other options, such as the Product Owner, the Quality Assurance Team, the Scrum Team, or the Scrum Master, are not responsible for making sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done. They may have different roles and

  accountabilities in Scrum, but they do not do the actual work of creating a "Done" Increment.

  References:

  [Scrum Guide], page 7, section "Developers"

  [Scrum Guide], page 10, section "Definition of Done" [Scrum Guide], page 7, section "The Scrum Team"