SCRUM - Scrum Framework Scrum Team Accountabilities Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is ultimately accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team?
- The Scrum Master
- The Developers
- The Product Owner (Correct answer)
- The entire Scrum Team
Correct answer: The Product Owner
The Scrum Guide explicitly states, 'The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.' While the entire team contributes to creating value, the Product Owner has the specific accountability for value maximization through managing the Product Backlog.
Question 2: A Scrum Team is in the middle of a Sprint. A key stakeholder insists that a new, urgent feature must be added to the current Sprint Backlog immediately. According to Scrum accountabilities, how should this be handled?
- The Developers must add the new feature to the Sprint Backlog as requested by the stakeholder.
- The Scrum Master should add the item to the Sprint Backlog and adjust the Sprint Goal.
- The stakeholder should directly negotiate with the Developers to swap out an existing item.
- The stakeholder should discuss the new feature with the Product Owner, who will decide if and how to adjust the Product Backlog. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The stakeholder should discuss the new feature with the Product Owner, who will decide if and how to adjust the Product Backlog.
The Product Owner is accountable for managing the Product Backlog and its contents. Stakeholders who want to change the Product Backlog should do so by convincing the Product Owner. The Developers own the Sprint Backlog and should not be interrupted during the Sprint. The Product Owner can work with the Developers to see if the Sprint Goal is impacted and if there's an opportunity to include the new work, but the initial conversation must go through the Product Owner.
Question 3: Which of the following is an accountability of the Developers within the Scrum Team?
- Maximizing the value of the product.
- Establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.
- Creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog. (Correct answer)
- Facilitating Scrum events as requested or needed.
Correct answer: Creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog.
The Scrum Guide specifies that the Developers are always accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint, which is the Sprint Backlog. Maximizing product value is the Product Owner's accountability, while establishing Scrum and facilitating events are accountabilities of the Scrum Master.
Question 4: The entire Scrum Team is collectively accountable for what primary outcome in every Sprint?
- Completing every item in the Sprint Backlog.
- Creating a valuable, useful Increment. (Correct answer)
- Reporting daily progress to the Product Owner.
- Improving the team's velocity from the previous Sprint.
Correct answer: Creating a valuable, useful Increment.
The Scrum Guide states, 'The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint.' While completing Sprint Backlog items is the means to this end, the ultimate accountability is for the Increment itself. The focus is on the outcome (a valuable Increment) rather than the output (completing all tasks).
Question 5: A team is having difficulty with its effectiveness. They are frequently missing Sprint Goals and interpersonal conflicts are rising. Who is accountable for improving the Scrum Team's effectiveness by enabling them to improve their practices?
- The Product Owner, by refining the Product Backlog better.
- The Scrum Master, by coaching the team and helping them improve their practices. (Correct answer)
- The Developers, by holding each other accountable as professionals.
- An external Agile Coach assigned by management.
Correct answer: The Scrum Master, by coaching the team and helping them improve their practices.
According to the Scrum Guide, 'The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team's effectiveness. They do this by enabling the Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework.' While other members contribute to effectiveness, the Scrum Master holds the specific accountability for it.
Question 6: Which statement about accountabilities within the Scrum Team is FALSE?
- The Product Owner can delegate the work of Product Backlog management but remains accountable.
- The Scrum Master is accountable for removing all impediments the team faces. (Correct answer)
- The Developers are accountable for instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done.
- The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers.
Correct answer: The Scrum Master is accountable for removing all impediments the team faces.
The Scrum Master is accountable for ensuring impediments are removed, but they do this by coaching the team to remove them whenever possible. They don't remove all impediments personally; rather, they cause the removal of impediments. Their role is to serve the team in removing impediments to their progress, which often involves empowering the team or addressing organizational issues. The other statements are true as per the Scrum Guide.
SCRUM - Scrum Framework Scrum Team Accountabilities Questions and Answers 1
Who is ultimately accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team?