SCRUM Practice Test

During the Sprint, who is allowed to add tasks to the Sprint Backlog?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) The Development Team

B) The Scrum Master

C) The Scrum Team

D) The Product Owner

E) The Product Owner in accordance with the Development Team

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Only the Development Team can change its Sprint Backlog during a Sprint. If the Product Owner wants to change the work planned, he has to do this in accordance with the Development Team.

Can a Scrum Master also work on a Scrum Team as a Developer?

A) No

B) Yes

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
This is not prohibited by the Scrum Guide. It can be hard to wear "two hats". It can be difficult to fully attend to all expectations of the Scrum Master role, while also being a focused Developer. It can be helpful to understand more of Development work. It can also be a pitfall.

Which of the following statements regarding a Sprint cancellation is false?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) The Product Owner can cancel the Sprint for personal undisclosed reasons.

B) Sprint cancellation consumes resources.

C) A Sprint can be cancelled when the Sprint time-box is over.

D) The Scrum Master may pressure the decision to cancel a Sprint.

E) All work from the cancelled Sprint is put back on the Product Backlog.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
A) By elimination, this one must be the third true statement. Why? Well: "Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint". In the end it's at the PO's discretion. In 99.9% of the cases it would be good to share the reason, and really bad for transparency, trust, morale to not do so. However, he/she can do it. For what reason? Maybe they are a horrible person, bad at their job. Or maybe the company got acquired by some other party, making the Sprint Goal obsolete, but the Product Owner is under a Non Disclosure Agreement to not tell the teams about it. Who knows? In short: it would almost always be bad, but there's nothing in the Scrum Guide specifically preventing it. True.
B) Is in the Scrum Guide, pretty obvious one. True.
C) A sprint can be cancelled until the time box is over, not when it is over. False.
D) The term "pressure" is there to scare you, but the Scrum Guide states he can "influence the decision" to cancel. He can't force, but he can apply some pressure if he/she deems it necessary. So, True.
E) Not all work is typically put back on the Product Backlog, and specifically not in the mandatory way this answer puts it. Per the Scrum Guide: "When a Sprint is cancelled, any completed and "Done" Product Backlog items are reviewed. If part of the work is potentially releasable, the Product Owner typically accepts it. All incomplete Product Backlog Items are re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog." So, False.

During the Sprint Review, it became clear that some of the work isn't "Done" due to integration issues. The team cites a lack of integration tools as an example. What do you do as a Scrum Master?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) Respectfully bring awareness to the team that they are responsible for delivering working software.

B) Plan a two hour recess in which the team can integrate their work.

C) Note this down as something to address during the Sprint Retrospective.

D) Suggest the Product Owner to make room in the upcoming Sprint for non-functional Backlog Items about integration tooling.

E) Suggest the development team to look into integration tooling, for instance continuous integration.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
This is running out of hand, core Scrum Values such as respect are being forgotten. The Scrum Master needs to act. A natural conclusion is therefore not the best answer. Having the Product Owner choose how the work is done is not ok. The developers decide how. They work with the Product Owner to decide upon scope, but the Product Owner should not choose the technical approach as stated here.

Which of the following would you consider the most unethical in Scrum software development?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) A development team releasing software that potentially exposes customer data, because the Product Owner and stakeholders estimate the organizational risk of not releasing to be far greater.

B) A Scrum Team committing to a deadline when many unknowns exist.

C) A Scrum Team using KanBan to visualize the cycle time of their work and impose Work in Progress limits.

D) A development team mid-sprint refusing to add work to the Sprint Backlog.

E) A Product Owner not ordering the Product Backlog by highest value or priority.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Not being transparent about uncertainty is unethical. Endangering customers' privacy is unethical. Go see this excellent Scrum.org video.. The development team owns the Sprint Backlog, they can have good reasons to refuse work. A Product Owner is free to order the Product Backlog how he wants. If a team wants to use additional tools to improve their process, that's usually to be encouraged. In any case, it's not a breach of ethics.

A team member has a pattern of being disrespectful and unethical. When confronted, he intimidates other team members and refuses to respect working arrangements set within the team. His teammates appear to be apprehensive about holding him accountable. Is a Scrum Master the best person to help with this problem?
(Select the most appropriate response)

A) No, the team must learn to become self-organizing and handle this situation themselves. By intervening, the Scrum Master will lose trust and weaken the team's autonomy

B) No, this is beyond the Scrum Master role. This is one of the few situations where someone from HR or a manager is the better choice.

C) Yes, The Scrum Master is a servant-leader that removes impediments. This behaviour is becoming an impediment to the team. He should address this issue with care.

D) Yes, This is toxic behavior that needs to be addressed directly. Schedule an intervention with the team as soon as possible.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Yes, this should be addressed by the Scrum Master if the team appears unable to do so. A careful approach is needed.

Which of the following are common Scrum Master activities?
(choose the top three answers)

Please select 3 correct answers

A) Optimizing the value of the work the Development Team performs.

B) Understanding and practicing agility.

C) Causing change that increases the productivity of the Scrum Team.

D) Ensuring the Development Team understands items in the Product Backlog to the level needed.

E) Planning Scrum implementations within the organization.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
The wrong answers are listed in the Scrum Guide as Product Owner activities.

"The Product Owner may attend the Daily Scrum but is not permitted to communicate with the development team."
(choose the most appropriate response)

A) False

B) True

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Development Team. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting. However, if the Product Owner is present and the team requests him to give valuable input, this is allowed. Disruption is not the same as interaction.

Which of the following statements about Backlog Refinement is true?
(choose the two most appropriate responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) During Product Backlog refinement, items are reviewed and revised.

B) Backlog Refinement takes place before Sprint Planning.

C) The Product Owner is responsible for organizing Backlog Refinement.

D) Product Backlog refinement is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to items in the Product Backlog.

E) No more than 10% of Development Team capacity is used for Refinement.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Scrum Guide: The Scrum Team decides how and when refinement is done. Refinement usually consumes no more than 10% of the capacity of the Development Team.

What is the Nexus Integration Team's main concern during a scaled Scrum endeavor with Nexus?
(choose the most appropriate response)

A) Ensuring dependencies between teams are minimized.

B) Ensuring a working integrated increment is delivered.

C) Ensuring all teams work from one Product Backlog.

D) Ensuring cross-team impediments are resolved.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
The Nexus Integration Team is accountable for ensuring that a “Done” Integrated Increment (the combined work completed by a Nexus) is produced at least once every Sprint.

No one else may attend the Daily Scrum except the development team and potentially the Scrum Master.
(choose the most appropriate response)

A) False

B) True

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Scrum Guide: The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Development Team. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting.

The development team realizes mid-sprint that the work they have planned will most likely not allow them to meet the Sprint Goal. They hold a discussion and come up with a new strategy to achieve the Sprint Goal by altering the Sprint's work plan. What Scrum Values are highlighted in this article?

A) Build, Measure, Learn

B) Inspection, Adaptation

C) Courage, Commitment

D) Respect, Trust

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
People personally commit to achieving the goals of the Scrum Team. The Scrum Team members have courage to do the right thing and work on tough problems.

Your team's Product Owner has seen numerous developers collaborating on backlog items. He is concerned that this "pair programming" will have a negative impact on the amount of work completed. What basically do you do?

A) Make a note to possibly address this during the Sprint Retrospective.

B) Teach the Product Owner that the development team decides how best to do their work.

C) Teach the Product Owner that the amount of work being done should not be the primary measure of progress.

D) Suggest the Product Owner to find a suitable moment to show interest and ask the developers why they use this approach.

E) All of the above.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
All are good options. Teach in a friendly, compassionate tone. Address during the retrospective when it seems that tensions still surround this subject.

You are approached by a Product Owner. He is uncertain of the value that his product will provide to customers. What recommendations can you provide him as a Scrum Master?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) The Product Owner should verify his product vision with management to validate the product is still in line with expectations

B) By improving the Sprint Review, inviting stakeholders and end-users, more information about the current value of the product can be gained.

C) As a Product Owner it's his responsibility the product offers the highest possible value to end-users.

D) Validation of product value is greatly improved by early releases to the market.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
It is the Product Owner's responsibility, but he/she is aware of this. Pointing that out again is not helpful advice. Management is unlikely to know end-users their exact wishes and expectations.

Can Scrum be used at a company where the time, scope, and money for a product are all predetermined?
(choose the top three answers)

Please select 3 correct answers

A) Yes, by translating the available time and budget to a number of sprints until the product is finished.

B) Yes, but it may be less effective.

C) Yes, apply Scrum as much as possible to obtain the benefits where possible.

D) Yes, Scrum acknowledges that time and money are finite, and aims to build the highest value product within those constraints.

E) Yes, though the Scrum Master should teach the organization about the drawbacks of this approach when building complex products.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Scrum Guide: although implementing only parts of Scrum is possible, the result is not Scrum.

Which of the following items are Scrum Artifacts?
(choose the top three answers)

Please select 3 correct answers

A) The Increment

B) The Sprint

C) The Sprint Goal

D) The Definition of Done

E) The Sprint Backlog

F) The Product Backlog

Correct! Wrong!

The Correct Answers are A The Increment, E The Sprint Backlog, and F The Product Backlog

The Scrum Team is irritated with their Product Owner because he constantly interrupts them and asks how things are going. The Product Owner claims that he is just eager, and that the Scrum Guide supports regular inspection. What exactly do you do?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) Plan a moment for the Scrum Team to discuss how to inspect and uphold transparency between all members without negatively impacting the work being done.

B) Teach the Product Owner that his behavior should not obstruct the work being done.

C) Teach the Scrum Team to limit these interactions to the Daily Scrum as much as possible.

D) Ask the Product Owner to limit his interactions with the team during the sprint or consult the Scrum Master before doing so.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Scrum Guide: Scrum users must frequently inspect Scrum artifacts and progress toward a Sprint Goal to detect undesirable variances. Their inspection should not be so frequent that inspection gets in the way of the work.
The Daily Scrum is for the development team to synchronize, no-one else participates. Interaction and inspection should not be limited, it should be regular and effective.

For Scrum teams, velocity is a popular statistic. Which of the following velocity assertions is correct?
(choose the top three answers)

Please select 3 correct answers

A) Velocity can be a useful metric for a team to self-inspect.

B) Velocity is part of the larger Scrum Framework.

C) Velocity reflects outcomes of the work done by the team.

D) Improving Velocity is something Scrum teams strive to do.

E) Velocity is an output measurement.

F) Velocity can be a useful metric to compare team performance.

G) Velocity is often impacted by estimation, scoping of Backlog Items and team composition.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Velocity can be a helpful tool for teams. It is unsuitable to draw comparisons, depends on estimation, and tracks output, which does not equate succesful outcome. It can be used to spark conversations within the team and self-inspect.

Two developers got into a heated disagreement about the technical method for a Backlog Item during Sprint Planning. Tensions are at an all-time high, and foul language is used. The rest of the crew is sitting in uncomfortable quiet. The Sprint Planning time limit of 8 hours adds to the pressure. What do you do as a Scrum Master?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) Plan a short break to give everyone some breathing room. Remind the team that constructive dialogue is good, but to remain respectful. We are all humans, we're on the same team and work towards the same goals.

B) Teach the team that not all specifics need to be known at Sprint Planning, further conversation and discovery will take place during the sprint.

C) Allow the discussion to find a natural conclusion. If unavoidable, increase the timebox so a plan for the Sprint can be formed.

D) Ask the Product Owner to make a choice between the two approaches, keeping in mind his Product Vision and it's value to stakeholders.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
This is running out of hand, core Scrum Values such as respect are being forgotten. The Scrum Master needs to act A natural conclusion is therefore not the best answer. Having the Product Owner choose how the work is done is not ok. The developers decide how. They work with the Product Owner to decide upon scope, but the Product Owner should not choose the technical approach as stated here.

The CEO contacts you, a significant stakeholder in your team's product. He is concerned that a crucial aspect of the product's intended characteristics will not be given the attention it deserves. This ambiguity is causing him a great deal of anxiety. What can you do to assist the CEO?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) Advise the CEO to take this up with the Product Owner.

B) Take a short moment to give the CEO a high-level update about the result of the last Sprint Review.

C) Take note of the features mentioned by the CEO and relay them to the Product Owner.

D) Inform the Product Owner of the conversation you had. Advise him to invite the CEO to the Sprint Review.

E) Explain to the CEO that the Product Owner is the one in control of priorities and will do everything to make sure the product offers the maximum possible value to stakeholders and customers. He does not need to worry.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
The lack of transparency is best served by joining inspection during Sprint Review. As a stakeholder, the CEO should work with the Product Owner to make his expectations known.

When planning in Scrum, we use the phrase "Forecast." What is the reason for this?
(Select the most appropriate response)

A) It brings awareness to the fact that when planning the team is looking ahead and not everything is certain. The team cannot commit to the plan not changing, it's a prediction based upon what is known today.

B) It emphasizes the difference between Scrum and plan driven approaches.

C) Forecasting is part of the Scrum Framework, emphasizing its importance and preventing those new to Scrum from leaving it out.

D) Using the term Forecasting raises transparency, because it is a term common to project and process methodologies.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Forecast implies uncertainties, a prediction based upon what's known at this point. Specifically: not a commitment.

Who is responsible for the value of the development team's work?

A) The Development Team

B) The organization

C) The Product Owner

D) The Scrum Team

E) All of the above

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Product Backlog management includes: [...] - Optimizing the value of the work the Development Team performs; [...] The Product Owner may do the above work, or have the Development Team do it. However, the Product Owner remains accountable.

Scrum for Inspection and Adaptation includes which of the following critical components?
(Choose the two best responses)

Please select 2 correct answers

A) Acceptance Criteria

B) Backlog Refinement

C) Daily Scrum

D) Self-organization

E) Sprint Review

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
Scrum guide: "Scrum prescribes four formal events for inspection and adaptation [...] Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective"

What is the most important subject to discuss during the Daily Scrum?

A) Is the team moving toward the sprint goal and do they need to realign to reach it.

B) Progress on doing the work forecast for this sprint.

C) Impediments to the team that need addressing.

D) What development team members work on and what they will be working on next.

Correct! Wrong!

Explanation:
The Sprint Goal should always be first in mind. The other subjects are secondary and viewed through the lens of "how does this impact the Sprint Goal?".

Why is Scrum called a framework?

A) It needs all of its components to work as intended.

B) It is a foundation upon which other processes and techniques can be employed.

C) You can use the elements needed for it to best perform in your organization.

D) It is easy to learn but difficult to master.

Correct! Wrong!

Explnation:
Though a few of these answers are somewhat right, not all are directly related to Scrum being a framework. From the Scrum Guide: "Scrum is not a process, technique, or definitive method. Rather, it is a framework within which you can employ various processes and techniques."

During the Sprint, who is allowed to add tasks to the Sprint Backlog? (Choose the two best responses)

Can a Scrum Master also work on a Scrum Team as a Developer?

Which of the following statements regarding a Sprint cancellation is false? (Choose the two best responses)

During the Sprint Review, it became clear that some of the work isn't "Done" due to integration issues. The team cites a lack of integration tools as an example. What do you do as a Scrum Master? (Choose the two best responses)

Which of the following would you consider the most unethical in Scrum software development? (Choose the two best responses)

Which of the following are common Scrum Master activities? (choose the top three answers)

"The Product Owner may attend the Daily Scrum but is not permitted to communicate with the development team." (choose the most appropriate response)

Which of the following statements about Backlog Refinement is true? (choose the two most appropriate responses)

What is the Nexus Integration Team's main concern during a scaled Scrum endeavor with Nexus? (choose the most appropriate response)

No one else may attend the Daily Scrum except the development team and potentially the Scrum Master. (choose the most appropriate response)

The development team realizes mid-sprint that the work they have planned will most likely not allow them to meet the Sprint Goal. They hold a discussion and come up with a new strategy to achieve the Sprint Goal by altering the Sprint's work plan. What Scrum Values are highlighted in this article?

Your team's Product Owner has seen numerous developers collaborating on backlog items. He is concerned that this "pair programming" will have a negative impact on the amount of work completed. What basically do you do?

You are approached by a Product Owner. He is uncertain of the value that his product will provide to customers. What recommendations can you provide him as a Scrum Master? (Choose the two best responses)

Can Scrum be used at a company where the time, scope, and money for a product are all predetermined? (choose the top three answers)

Which of the following items are Scrum Artifacts? (choose the top three answers)

The Scrum Team is irritated with their Product Owner because he constantly interrupts them and asks how things are going. The Product Owner claims that he is just eager, and that the Scrum Guide supports regular inspection. What exactly do you do? (Choose the two best responses)

For Scrum teams, velocity is a popular statistic. Which of the following velocity assertions is correct? (choose the top three answers)

When planning in Scrum, we use the phrase "Forecast." What is the reason for this? (Select the most appropriate response)

Who is responsible for the value of the development team's work?

Scrum for Inspection and Adaptation includes which of the following critical components? (Choose the two best responses)

What is the most important subject to discuss during the Daily Scrum?

Why is Scrum called a framework?

During the Sprint, who is allowed to add tasks to the Sprint Backlog?
(Choose the two best responses)

Which of the following statements regarding a Sprint cancellation is false?
(Choose the two best responses)

During the Sprint Review, it became clear that some of the work isn't "Done" due to integration issues. The team cites a lack of integration tools as an example. What do you do as a Scrum Master?
(Choose the two best responses)

Which of the following would you consider the most unethical in Scrum software development?
(Choose the two best responses)

Which of the following are common Scrum Master activities?
(choose the top three answers)

"The Product Owner may attend the Daily Scrum but is not permitted to communicate with the development team."
(choose the most appropriate response)

Which of the following statements about Backlog Refinement is true?
(choose the two most appropriate responses)

What is the Nexus Integration Team's main concern during a scaled Scrum endeavor with Nexus?
(choose the most appropriate response)

No one else may attend the Daily Scrum except the development team and potentially the Scrum Master.
(choose the most appropriate response)

You are approached by a Product Owner. He is uncertain of the value that his product will provide to customers. What recommendations can you provide him as a Scrum Master?
(Choose the two best responses)

Can Scrum be used at a company where the time, scope, and money for a product are all predetermined?
(choose the top three answers)

Which of the following items are Scrum Artifacts?
(choose the top three answers)

The Scrum Team is irritated with their Product Owner because he constantly interrupts them and asks how things are going. The Product Owner claims that he is just eager, and that the Scrum Guide supports regular inspection. What exactly do you do?
(Choose the two best responses)

For Scrum teams, velocity is a popular statistic. Which of the following velocity assertions is correct?
(choose the top three answers)

When planning in Scrum, we use the phrase "Forecast." What is the reason for this?
(Select the most appropriate response)

Scrum for Inspection and Adaptation includes which of the following critical components?
(Choose the two best responses)