Professional Scrum Master Artifacts and Commitments 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes Product Backlog refinement?
- A formal Scrum event held at the end of each Sprint
- An ongoing activity where the team adds detail, estimates, and orders backlog items (Correct answer)
- A one-time activity that occurs during initial project planning
- A meeting run by the Scrum Master to groom the backlog weekly
Correct answer: An ongoing activity where the team adds detail, estimates, and orders backlog items
Product Backlog refinement is a continuous activity — not a formal Scrum event — where items are broken down and clarified to prepare them for future Sprints.
Question 2: A stakeholder insists that an Increment must be released immediately, even though it does not meet the Definition of Done. Who has the authority to override the Definition of Done?
- The Product Owner, since they are accountable for value
- The Scrum Master, since they enforce Scrum rules
- Nobody — the Definition of Done cannot be overridden (Correct answer)
- Senior management, in exceptional business circumstances
Correct answer: Nobody — the Definition of Done cannot be overridden
The Definition of Done is a non-negotiable commitment; no individual or role has authority to override it for a release decision.
Question 3: How does the Increment relate to prior Increments?
- Each Increment replaces the previous Increment entirely
- The new Increment is additive and integrates with all prior Increments (Correct answer)
- Increments are independent and do not need to integrate
- Only the final Increment of a release is considered valid
Correct answer: The new Increment is additive and integrates with all prior Increments
Each new Increment is additive to all prior Increments, and together they must function as a whole, verified against the Definition of Done.
Question 4: A Scrum Team's Sprint Goal becomes obsolete mid-Sprint due to a dramatic market change. What can happen?
- The Developers continue regardless, as the Sprint Goal cannot change
- The Product Owner cancels the Sprint because the Sprint Goal is no longer valid (Correct answer)
- The Scrum Master renegotiates the Sprint Goal with all stakeholders
- The team automatically extends the Sprint to reassess the goal
Correct answer: The Product Owner cancels the Sprint because the Sprint Goal is no longer valid
The Product Owner is the only person who can cancel a Sprint, and they may do so when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the commitment associated with each Scrum artifact?
- To create a paper trail for auditing purposes
- To enhance transparency and provide focus against which progress can be measured (Correct answer)
- To give the Scrum Master authority over the artifact
- To document stakeholder agreements at the start of the project
Correct answer: To enhance transparency and provide focus against which progress can be measured
Commitments enhance transparency and provide a clear focus, enabling the team and stakeholders to inspect progress and adapt accordingly.
Question 6: Which statement about the Definition of Done is true?
- It can differ per Product Backlog item based on its complexity
- It is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete (Correct answer)
- It is created once and never revisited after the project starts
- It applies only to user-facing features, not infrastructure work
Correct answer: It is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete
The Definition of Done is a shared, consistent standard that applies to all work in the Increment, creating a common understanding of completeness.
Question 7: The Scrum Team wants to improve their Definition of Done. When is the best time to do this?
- During Sprint Planning before selecting Sprint Backlog items
- During the Sprint Retrospective as a continuous improvement action (Correct answer)
- During the Sprint Review after stakeholder feedback
- At the start of the project only, before any Sprint begins
Correct answer: During the Sprint Retrospective as a continuous improvement action
The Sprint Retrospective is the primary event for inspecting and improving team practices, including strengthening the Definition of Done.
Professional Scrum Master Artifacts and Commitments 5
Which of the following best describes Product Backlog refinement?