PSM-II Scrum Professional Scrum Master II Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

 As the Scrum Master, your role is to serve the Scrum Team by helping them to work effectively and deliver value. You are not responsible for managing the work or assigning tasks to the Developers. You should respect the self-organization and autonomy of the Developers, and support them in finding their own solutions to the problem. You should also facilitate collaboration and communication among the Developers and with other stakeholders, such as Phil and the Product Owner.

Some reasons why the other options are not correct are:

A: Preparing the Sprint Backlogs each day for the teams so Phil can spend some time in each team. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role. The Sprint Backlog is owned and managed by the Developers, not by the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master should not interfere with or dictate how the Developers plan and execute their work. The Scrum Master should also not impose a solution that may not be optimal or feasible for the teams or for Phil.

B: Allocate Phil to one team per Sprint, so that over four Sprints every team will have had the support it requires. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role. The Scrum Master should not allocateresources or assign tasks to the teams or to Phil. The Scrum Master should also not impose a solution that may not be aligned with the Product Owner’s priorities or the teams’ needs.

D: Ask Phil for a plan to hire and train additional people in his domain, and in the meantime work with the Product Owner and Developers to re-prioritize the work so that tasks not depending on Phil can be done first. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role. The Scrum Master should not ask Phil to do something that may be beyond his authority or responsibility. The Scrum Master should also not work with the Product Owner and Developers to re-prioritize the work, as this is the Product Owner’s accountability. The Scrum Master should respect the Product Owner’s decisions on what is valuable and what is not, and support the Developers in delivering that value.

References:

What is a Scrum Master?| Scrum.org

What is a Sprint Backlog?| Scrum.org

Who is responsible for dependency management?| Scrum.org

[Managing Dependencies in Scrum - Scrum Alliance]

 As the Scrum Master, your role is to serve the Scrum Team by helping them to work effectively and deliver value. You are not responsible for managing the work or assigning tasks to the Developers. You should respect the self-organization and autonomy of the Developers, and support them in finding their own solutions to the problem. You should also facilitate collaboration and communication among the Developers and with other stakeholders.

Some reasons why option B is the correct answer are:

Asking the Developers what value they get by having the Daily Scrum with all team members present and what might go wrong if all Developers do not attend. This action will help the Scrum Team to understand the purpose and benefits of the Daily Scrum, and to identify and address the risks and consequences of missing it. The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers of the Scrum Team to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work12. The Daily Scrum also provides an opportunity for the Developers to identify and communicate any impediments that are hindering their progress, and request help from the Scrum Master or other team members to resolve them12. The Daily Scrum improves communications, identifies impediments, promotes quick decision-making, and consequently eliminates the need for other meetings12. The Daily Scrum is not a status meeting, but a way for the Developers to collaborate and self-organize around the most important work for the next 24 hours12. If a Developer is missing the Daily Scrum, they may miss important information, feedback, or support from their peers, or they may cause delays, confusion, or conflicts for their team. The Scrum Master should encourage the Developers to share their perspectives and experiences on how the Daily Scrum helps them achieve their Sprint Goal and create a valuable Increment.

The Scrum Master should also help the Developers to come up with their own solutions on how to ensure full attendance and participation in the Daily Scrum. The Scrum Master should not impose or dictate a solution, but rather coach and guide the Developers to find what works best for them. The Scrum Master should also help the Developers to agree on some ground rules or norms for their Daily Scrum, such as when, where, and how to conduct it, what topics to discuss, and how to handle any issues or conflicts that may arise.

Some reasons why the other options are not correct are:

A: You do not intervene. The Developers own the Daily Scrum, so they should deal with any issues with attendance. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum Master role. The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide1, causing change that increases the productivity of the Scrum Team1, and working with other Scrum Masters to increase the effectiveness of the application of Scrum in the organization1. The Scrum Master should not ignore or avoid a problem that affects the performance or well-being of the Scrum Team, but rather help them address it in a constructive and respectful way. The Scrum Master should also not assume that the Developers know how to deal with any issues with attendance, but rather teach them how to do so effectively.

C: Talk to the Developer who is missing the Daily Scrum and ask her to always attend the Daily Scrum. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role. The Daily Scrum is an event for and by the Developers12, not for reporting or accountability to anyone else. The Scrum Master should not interfere with or dictate how the Developers conduct their Daily Scrum, or make unilateral decisions on behalf of them. The Scrum Master should also not single out or confront a Developer who is missing the Daily Scrum, but rather involve all Developers in finding a solution that works for everyone.

D: Teach the Developers how to deal with this situation by attending the Daily Scrum yourself. This option is not correct because it violates the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role. The Daily Scrum is an event for and by the Developers12, not for anyone else’s inspection or intervention. The Scrum Master should notattend or participate in the Daily Scrum unless they are actively working on items in the Sprint Backlog12. The presence of an outsider may disrupt or influence the dynamics of the Developers’ communication and collaboration. The Scrum Master should also not teach by doing, but rather by coaching and facilitating.

References:

What is a Daily Scrum?| Scrum.org

What Is a Daily Standup?| A Guide to Running Effective Standup Meetings | Atlassian

C: Velocity has no direct relationship with value. This is a true statement, as velocity is a measure of the amount of work done by a Scrum Team in a Sprint, not the value or quality of that work. Velocity can vary depending on many factors, such as the size, complexity, and priority of the Product Backlog items, the skills and experience of the Developers, the Definition of Done, and the Sprint length. Therefore, velocity is not a reliable indicator of value creation or team performance.

D: Velocity is the amount of business functionality that a Scrum Team creates in a Sprint. It is unique to that team and used as an input to Sprint Planning. This is a true statement, as velocity is a team-specific metric that reflects how much business functionality the Scrum Team can deliver in a Sprint. Velocity can help the Scrum Team to forecast how many Product Backlog items they can select for the next Sprint, based on their past performance and current capacity. However, velocity is not a goal or a target for the Scrum Team, and it should not be compared across teams.

References:

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 15: “Velocity is a measure of how much work a team can complete in a given time period. It is usually expressed in terms of story points or function points per Sprint.”

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 16: “Velocity is not a measure of value or quality. It does not tell us anything about the usefulness, usability, or desirability of the product increment.”

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 17: “Velocity is unique to each team and depends on many factors, such as the size and complexity of the work items, the skills and experience of the team members, the definition of done, and the length of the Sprint.”

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 18: “Velocity can be used as an input for Sprint Planning, to help the team forecast how much work they can realistically accomplish in the next Sprint. However, velocity is not a goal or a target for the team, and it should not be used to compare or evaluate teams.”

 Respect is one of the Scrum values that means recognizing the value of each individual and their contribution, trusting them to fulfill their tasks, listening to and considering their ideas, and acknowledging their accomplishments. Respect also means honoring the diversity of people, their experiences, and their opinions. Respect facilitates collaboration, learning, and creativity in the Scrum Team.

Some statements that demonstrate respectful behavior in the Scrum Team are:

Respect the accountabilities of the Scrum Team members. This means that each role in the Scrum Team has a clear set of responsibilities and expectations, and that other team members respect those boundaries and do not interfere with or undermine them. For example, the Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers, and the Developers respect that by following the Product Owner’s guidance on what to work on and what not to work on. The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide, causing change that increases the productivity of the Scrum Team, and working with other Scrum Masters to increase the effectiveness of the application of Scrum in the organization. The Developers respect that by adhering to the Scrum framework, being open to feedback and improvement, and collaborating with other Scrum Teams when needed.

Respect people, their experience, diversity, and difference in opinion. This means that each person in the Scrum Team is valued as a skilled professional who brings unique perspectives and insights to the team. The team members respect each other’s expertise, skills, and ideas, and are willing to learn from each other and from their stakeholders. They also respect that people may have different opinions or preferences on how to approach a problem or a solution, and they seek to understand those differences rather than dismiss or ignore them. They engage in constructive dialogue and respectful disagreement when necessary, and they support team decisions even if they are not their personal choices.

Some statements that do not demonstrate respectful behavior in the Scrum Team are:

Respect the Product Owner by letting them change the Sprint Goal during the Sprint. This is not respectful because it violates the Scrum framework and undermines theDevelopers’ autonomy and commitment. The Sprint Goal is a shared objective that provides guidance to the Developers on why they are building an Increment. It is crafted by the Product Owner in collaboration with the Developers during Sprint Planning, and it remains fixed for the duration of the Sprint unless a significant change occurs that invalidates it. Allowing the Product Owner to change the Sprint Goal during the Sprint would disrupt the focus and alignment of the Developers, introduce uncertainty and confusion, and reduce transparency and accountability.

Respect stakeholder expectations that Scrum Teams will meet their forecast. This is not respectful because it implies that stakeholders have unrealistic or unreasonable expectations that are not based on empirical evidence or feedback. The forecast is a plan for what functionality will be delivered in an Increment by the end of a Sprint. It is based on what is known at Sprint Planning, but it is not a guarantee or a commitment. The forecast may change during the Sprint as new information emerges or as unforeseen challenges arise. The Scrum Team respects stakeholders by being transparent about their progress and any changes to their forecast, by delivering a valuable Increment at least by the end of every Sprint, by seeking feedback from stakeholders during Sprint Review, and by incorporating that feedback into future Sprints.

References:

The Scrum Values

Understanding the 5 Scrum Values

Top 5 Scrum Values & Principles

A Product Backlog item is a description of a feature or functionality that adds value to the product. It is selected by the Scrum Team during the Sprint Planning, based on the Product Owner’s proposal and the Developers’ forecast. It is expected that the Product Backlog item will be completed by the end of the Sprint, meaning that it meets the Definition of Done, which is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality standards required for the product.

However, if a Product Backlog item is not completed by the end of the Sprint, meaning that it does not meet the Definition of Done, then:

The item is not included in the Increment for this Sprint (B), which is a valid option as it ensures that only “Done” work is delivered to the customer and stakeholders. The Increment is a concrete and usable outcome of a Sprint that provides value and feedback. It should not contain any undone or partially done work that may compromise its quality, usability, or value.

It is put on the Product Backlog for the Product Owner to decide what to do with it (D), which is another valid option as it respects the authority and accountability of the Product Owner to manage the Product Backlog, which is an ordered list of what is needed in the product. The Product Owner can decide whether to re-prioritize, re-estimate, refine, or remove the incomplete Product Backlog item based on new insights and stakeholder needs.

The other options are not correct because they:

Review the item, add the done part of the estimate to the velocity and create a Story for the remaining work (A), which is not a good option as it violates the principle of commitment and transparency that underlies the Definition of Done. The Scrum Team should not count or report any work that is not “Done” as part of their progress or performance. The Scrum Team should also not split or create new Product Backlog items during or after the Sprint, as this may affect their alignment and focus on the Sprint Goal.

Only the stakeholders decide over acceptance of undone work and whether to release it ©, which is not a good option as it violates the role and responsibility of the Product Owner and the Developers to deliver a potentially releasable Increment at the end of each Sprint. The stakeholders can provide feedback and suggestions for the product, but they cannot accept or release any work that does not meet the Definition of Done.

References: : [Scrum Guide], The Product Backlog : [Scrum Guide], The Definition of Done : [Scrum Guide], The Increment : [Scrum Guide], The Sprint Planning : [Scrum Guide], The Product Owner : [Scrum Guide], The Developers

Using Scrum does not ensure that adding more resources to a project proportionally increases the value delivered. In fact, adding more resources may have the opposite effect, as it can introduce more complexity, communication overhead, coordination challenges, and integration issues12. Scrum values quality over quantity, and focuses on delivering the most valuable and feasible outcomes in a given timebox3 . Scrum also encourages teams to be self-organizing and cross-functional, which means that they can work autonomously and collaboratively without relying on external resources or dependencies3 .

References: 1: Adding more resources in Scrum will proportionally increase the value … 2: The Mythical Man-Month - Wikipedia 3: Scrum - What is it, how it works, & how to start - Atlassian : How Scrum Teams can Complement Scrum by Adding Practices, Tools and …

This is a good option because the Scrum Master’s role is to help the Scrum Team understand and apply the Scrum framework and its principles12. The Scrum Master should also facilitate and enable the team’s self-organization and collaboration12. By coaching the Scrum Team, the Scrum Master can help them realize that the Daily Scrum is not a status update or a performance review, but a time to inspect and adapt their progress toward the Sprint Goal3 . D. Tell the Product Owner your concerns about how his behavior may impact the Developers, and ask him to stop attending the Daily Scrum for some time.

This is another good option because the Scrum Master’s role is to protect the Scrum Team from external interference and distractions12. The Scrum Master should also coach the Product Owner on how to maximize the value of the product and collaborate effectively with the Developers12. By telling the Product Owner your concerns, you can help him understand that his behavior may create pressure, dependency, or resentment among the Developers, which can harm their motivation,creativity, and autonomy . By asking him to stop attending the Daily Scrum for some time, you can give the Developers some space to self-manage their work and communication.

References: 1: What is a Scrum Master? | Scrum.org 2: What is a scrum master? [+ Responsibilities] | Atlassian 3: What’s the role of the Product Owner at the Daily Scrum? | by Maarten Dalmijn | Serious Scrum | Medium : Scrum Guide | Scrum Guides : Product Owner’s Role in a Daily Scrum: How to Support the … - Eleken : The Power of Intrinsic Motivation - Forbes

Splitting a team into two teams is a major decision that should not be taken lightly. It may have implications for the product vision, the product backlog, the sprint goal, the sprint backlog, the definition of done, and the team dynamics. It may also reduce the effectiveness of the Scrum Team by creating dependencies, communication overhead, and coordination challenges. Therefore, before considering such a drastic measure, it is advisable to explore other options to improve the quality and efficiency of the Daily Scrum. One option is to ask for help from another Scrum Master who can observe the Daily Scrum and provide feedback and suggestions.

References:

The Scrum Guide, section 3.2 (The Daily Scrum), page 9

The Scrum Master Learning Path, module 4 (The Daily Scrum), lesson 4 (Common Challenges) and lesson 5 (Tips for an Effective Daily Scrum)

B: Productivity, in terms of lines of code or story points, will probably suffer during the transition, although even then delivery of business value is still likely to increase. This is a realistic expectation, as the teams will need to learn new skills, collaborate more effectively, and adapt to changing requirements. However, the benefit of feature teams is that they can deliver working software that provides value to thecustomers and stakeholders every Sprint, rather than waiting for the integration of different components.

C: Feature teams will require time to become productive as people from the different layers and components become accustomed to working and delivering unified functionality together, as one Scrum Team. This is a natural consequence of changing the team structure and culture, as the teams will need to overcome some challenges and conflicts, build trust and rapport, and establish a shared vision and goal. The Scrum Master can help the teams with this transition by facilitating communication, coaching, and mentoring.

References:

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 17: “Feature teams are cross-functional teams that can deliver end-to-end functionality for a product. They have all the skills and competencies needed to work on multiple layers of the system.”

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 18: “Component teams are teams that specialize in one layer or component of the system. They often depend on other teams to deliver a complete functionality for a product.”

Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 19: “Feature teams have many advantages over component teams, such as faster feedback, higher quality, lower complexity, and more customer value.”

B. You explain that technical risks are best controlled when architecture and infrastructure emerge alongside the development of functionality. The additional advantage is that business value is created faster and sooner.

This is a good option because it is consistent with the Scrum principle of empiricism, which means that the Scrum Team learns and adapts based on the actual outcomes and feedback, rather than following a predefined plan12. By allowing the architecture and infrastructure to emerge iteratively and incrementally, the Scrum Team can address the most important and uncertain aspects first, and deliver valuable and functional increments every Sprint34. D. You educate the Product Owner to add this work to the Product Backlog to uphold transparency. Ask the Developers toplan work during the first several Sprints to estimate these items, while also creating some business functionality in these early Sprints

This is another good option because it is consistent with the Scrum value of transparency, which means that the Scrum Team and the stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of the product vision, goals, progress, and risks12. By adding this work to the Product Backlog, the Product Owner can prioritize and refine it according to the value and urgency, and communicate it to the stakeholders. By asking the Developers to plan work during the first several Sprints, they can estimate these items based on their actual experience and capacity, while also delivering some business functionality in these early Sprints34.

The Scrum Value of openness can easily impact all of the aspects listed in the question. Openness means that the Scrum Team and the stakeholders agree to be transparent about their work, their challenges, their learnings, and their progress. This fosters a culture of collaboration, trust, feedback, and continuous improvement. Openness also helps to ensure that the product quality meets the expectations of the customers and the stakeholders, and that the product is delivered in a timely manner. Openness also contributes to employee satisfaction, as it allows the Scrum Team members to express their opinions, share their ideas, and learn from each other.

References:

The Scrum Guide, section 2.2 (Scrum Values), page 6

The Scrum Master Learning Path, module 1 (Scrum Theory), lesson 3 (Scrum Values)

 The Sprint Retrospective is a Scrum event in which the Scrum Team inspects 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 effectiveness1. The Scrum Team should focus on improving thequality of the product Increment, not on increasing the measured velocity. Velocity is a metric that indicates how much work the team has completed in a Sprint, but it does not reflect the value or quality of that work. Working product is one of the primary measures of progress in Agile.

Some actions that the Scrum Master can take in this situation are:

Facilitate a discussion on how to improve the quality to a level sufficient for production, even if the measured velocity will drop in the next Sprint. This action will help the Scrum Team to identify and address the root causes of the quality issues, and to plan actions for improvement. The Scrum Master should encourage the Scrum Team to inspect their Definition of Done, their testing and quality assurance practices, their technical debt, and their collaboration with stakeholders. The Scrum Master should also help the Scrum Team to prioritize quality over quantity, and to understand that delivering a potentially releasable Increment at the end of every Sprint is one of the goals of Scrum.

Stress the value of working product over measured velocity. This action will help the Scrum Team to align their work with the Agile values and principles, and to focus on delivering value to the customers and users. The Scrum Master should remind the Scrum Team that velocity is not a goal or a measure of success, but a tool for planning and forecasting. The Scrum Master should also help the Scrum Team to avoid falling into the trap of velocity-driven development, where they sacrifice quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction for higher numbers.

Some actions that the Scrum Master should not take in this situation are:

Agree and praise the Developers for their hard work, so they are motivated to do even more in the next Sprint. This action will not help the Scrum Team to improve their quality or effectiveness, but rather reinforce a false sense of achievement based on velocity. The Scrum Master should acknowledge and appreciate the Developers’ efforts, but also challenge them to inspect and adapt their work processes and outcomes. The Scrum Master should also help the Developers to balance their motivation with realism, and to avoid overcommitting or overestimating their capacity.

Acknowledge the hard work, but remind the Developers that they need to improve to do even more in the next Sprint. This action will not help the Scrum Team to improve their quality or effectiveness, but rather put pressure on them to increase their velocity. The Scrum Master should not imply that doing more work is equivalent to doing better work, or that higher velocity is expected or desired. The Scrum Master should also help the Developers to avoid burnout, stress, and fatigue caused by unrealistic or unsustainable expectations.

References:

The Sprint Retrospective - What It Is & Tips for Making the Most of Your Meeting | Scrum Alliance

How to Measure Sprint Velocity in Agile | Parabol

What is a Sprint Retrospective? - Zeolearn

What Is the Goal of Sprint Retrospective Meeting?| Wrike

What is a Sprint Retrospective?| Scrum.org

[Principles behind the Agile Manifesto]

[What is a Product Increment?| Scrum.org]

[Velocity-driven development: A trap waiting for you | Agile Alliance]

Technical debt is the implied cost of rework caused by choosing an easy solution now instead of a better approach that would take longer1. Reducing the Definition of Done for the next three Sprints will create technical debt, which will have negative impacts on the product quality, value, and delivery. Two ways to explain these impacts to the Product Owner are:

Releasing the version creates false assumptions about the actual state of the system. This is likely to result in interruptions during future Sprints in order to react to unforeseen problems arising from not having met the Definition of Done2. This will reduce the transparency, predictability, and adaptability of the Scrum process, and compromise the trust and satisfaction of the customers and stakeholders.

As development progresses and functionality is added upon the reduced Definition of Done, unknown errors will creep in. The system becomes more difficult to stabilize. Work for the actual release as well as future releases will be slowed down in unpredictable ways3. This will increase the complexity, risk, and cost of the product development, and lower the value and quality of the product.

References:

What is Technical Debt in Scrum?| StarAgile, section “The technical debt is created when”.

Technical Debt & Scrum: Who Is Responsible?| Scrum.org, section “What Is Technical Debt?”.

Managing Technical Debt in a Scrum Project | SCRUMstudy Blog, section “Technical debt accrues”.

The Sprint Review is an event that inspects the outcome of the Sprint and determines future adaptations. The Product Owner has the authority to release the Increment to production at any time, but this does not mean that the Sprint has to be stopped or changed. The stakeholders can provide feedback and suggestions for the product, but they cannot interfere with the Sprint Goal or the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint. The Scrum Team can decide to:

Continue sprinting but shorten the Sprint length to allow for shorter feedback loops (A), which is a valid option if the Scrum Team agrees that this will improve their agility and value delivery. However, this should not be done frequently or arbitrarily, as it may disrupt the rhythm and focus of the team.

Continue sprinting and include the customer feedback in the Product Backlog ©, which is the most appropriate option as it respects the empirical nature of Scrum and allows the Product Owner to prioritize and order the Product Backlog based on new insights and stakeholder needs.

References: : [Scrum Guide], The Sprint Review : [Scrum Guide], The Product Owner : [Scrum Guide], The Sprint : [Scrum Guide], The Product Backlog

The Scrum Guide states that “the moment a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done, an Increment is born” and that “the Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints”. Therefore, to deliver a product Increment that is integrated and potentially releasable, all Scrum Teams must have a shared understanding of what “Done” means and ensure that their work meets that standard. This also enables transparency, inspection, and adaptation across the Scrum Teams.

References:

The Scrum Guide, section 3.4 (The Increment), page 10

The Scrum Master Learning Path, module 5 (The Increment), lesson 1 (What is an Increment?) and lesson 2 (Definition of Done)

According to the Scrum Guide 2020, the Scrum Team commits to achieving the Sprint Goal and creating a valuable product Increment every Sprint1. The Sprint Goal is a short statement that provides direction and focus for the Scrum Team throughout the Sprint2. The product Increment is a concrete and usable outcome that meets the Definition of Done and adds value to the product3. Therefore, the Scrum Team commits to:

Working towards the Sprint Goal. This means that the Scrum Team collaborates and coordinates their work to deliver a product Increment that satisfies the Sprint Goal. The Sprint Goal is chosen by the Scrum Team during Sprint Planning, based on the Product Backlog items that they forecast to complete in the Sprint2. The Sprint Goal provides coherence and alignment for the Scrum Team, and helps them cope with complexity and uncertainty4.

Seeking stakeholder feedback. This means that the Scrum Team engages with the stakeholders and customers who have an interest or influence on the product. The Scrum Team seeks their feedback to inspect and adapt the product Increment and the Product Backlog, and to validate their assumptions and hypotheses. The Sprint Review is an event where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders collaborate on what was done in the Sprint and what to do next.

Upholding transparency. This means that the Scrum Team makes all aspects of their work visible to those who are responsible for the outcome. Transparency enables inspection and adaptation, which are essential for empiricism. The Scrum Team upholds transparency by using the Scrum artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment) as sources of information and progress, and by having frequent and honest communication among themselves and with the stakeholders.

The other options are not correct because:

Getting all the forecast work in the Sprint Plan done. This option is incorrect because it implies that the Scrum Team is committed to a fixed scope of work, rather than a flexible goal. The Scrum Guide 2020 states that “the Developers do not commit to completing all of the work planned during a Sprint Planning” but rather “they plan their work as they perform it throughout the Sprint”. The Scrum Team can modify their Sprint Backlog during the Sprint as needed, as long as they do not endanger the Sprint Goal.

Increasing velocity. This option is incorrect because it implies that the Scrum Team is committed to a metric that is not part of the Scrum framework. Velocity is a measure of how much work a team can deliver in a given time period, usually based on story points or hours. However, velocity is not a reliable indicator of value or quality, and it can vary depending on many factors, such as team size, complexity, dependencies, etc. The Scrum Guide 2020 does not mention velocity as a commitment or an artifact of the Scrum Team.

Having the Product Owner available to the Developers on a daily basis. This option is incorrect because it implies that the Product Owner is not part of the Scrum Team, but rather an external stakeholder. The Scrum Guide 2020 states that “the Product Owner is one person who is a member of the Scrum Team” and “is accountable for maximizing value resulting from work of Developers”. The Product Owner collaborates closely with the Developers throughout the Sprint, not only by being available, but also by providing vision, guidance, feedback, and clarification.

References: 1: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#team-accountabilities  2: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-goal  3: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#increment  4: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/sprint-goal-key-element-scrum : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/stakeholder-engagement-scrum : https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-review : https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#scrum-theory : https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-planning : https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-backlog : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/velocity-trap : https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#product-owner

The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum, which includes helping the Scrum Team and the organization understand and enact Scrum values, principles, and practices. The Scrum Master should offer guidance that:

Addresses the root cause of the conflict, not just the symptoms or the consequences.

Empowers the Scrum Team to self-organize and collaborate effectively, without relying on external intervention or authority.

Fosters a culture of transparency, inspection, and adaptation, where feedback is welcomed and used to improve the product and the process.

Focuses on delivering value to the customer and meeting the Sprint Goal, not on following a fixed plan or satisfying individual preferences.

Therefore, the best option is to address why requirements change during the Sprint Retrospective ©, which is an event that allows the Scrum Team to inspect how they worked together and create a plan for improvements. The Scrum Master should ask the Developers and the Product Owner to talk about why the requirements are changing and consider the impact on value during this discussion. This will help them understand each other’s perspectives, clarify their expectations, and align their goals.

The other options are not appropriate because they:

Take everyone to a 2-day off-site event to relax and re-align (A), which may be a nice gesture, but does not solve the underlying problem or help the Scrum Team improve their collaboration skills. It may also be seen as a distraction or a reward for poor performance.

Ask each person’s functional manager to instruct their employees that they must collaborate better, or be removed from the team (B), which undermines the self-organization and autonomy of the Scrum Team and introduces a threat of punishment that may damage trust and motivation. It also violates the Scrum value of respect and the principle of servant leadership.

Ask for a project manager or other external resource to mediate and temporarily take over for the Product Owner (D), which creates a dependency on an outsider who may not have the necessary knowledge, authority, or vision to manage the product. It also violates the Scrum role of the Product Owner and the principle of single-wringable-neck.

References: : [Scrum Guide], The Scrum Master : [Scrum Guide], The Sprint Retrospective : [Scrum Guide], The Product Owner : [Scrum Guide], The Developers : [Scrum Guide], Scrum Values

A “Quality Assurance and Release Readiness Sprint” is not a Scrum concept, but a sign of poor engineering practices and weak adherence to the Scrum values and principles. It indicates that the Scrum Team is not delivering a potentially releasable product Increment every Sprint, which is one of the core commitments of Scrum. This could be due to a weak or incomplete Definition of Done, which allows technical debt to accumulate and compromises the quality and usability of the product. It could also be due to the Developers finding it nearly impossible to create a valuable, useful product Increment in a Sprint, which could be caused by various factors such as lack of skills, tools, collaboration, feedback, or empowerment. The Definition of Done is not being met every Sprint, which means that the Scrum Team is not fulfilling its accountability for the Increment and is not transparent about the state of the product.

References:

Scrum Guide 2020, section “Commitments”, “Definition of Done”, “The Sprint”, “The Increment”.

Advanced Knowledge of Scrum, section “Definition of Done”, “Technical Debt”.

Scrum Master Accountabilities, section “Accountability for Effectiveness”.

Explanation: As a Scrum Master, you are accountable for establishing an environment where the Scrum Team can be effective and deliver valuable products1. One of the ways to do this is by supporting the Product Owner in managing the Product Backlog and engaging with the stakeholders2. In this situation, where there is a performance issue with the product, your best option is:

Encourage the Product Owner to bring the performance concerns to the rest of the Scrum Team and work together to improve the Definition of Done. This option aligns with the principle of empiricism, which is the foundation of Scrum3. Empiricism means that you make decisions based on what is known, rather than what is assumed or predicted3. By encouraging the Product Owner to bring the performance concerns to the rest of the Scrum Team, you are helping them inspect the product Increment and adapt the Product Backlog based on transparent feedback from the stakeholder4. You are also helping them collaborate on improving the Definition of Done, which is a shared understanding of what it means for a product Increment to be complete and potentially releasable. The Definition of Done should reflect the quality standards and expectations of the stakeholders, andshould be updated as needed to ensure that the product meets their needs and delivers value.

The other options are not advisable because:

Wait to bring this up in the next Sprint Retrospective as this is the appropriate time for the Developers to re-consider the Definition of Done. This option is incorrect because it contradicts your accountability as a Scrum Master. The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to reflect on their performance and identify improvements for the next Sprint. However, it is not the only time for them to inspect and adapt their product and process. As a Scrum Master, you should promote continuous improvement and help the Scrum Team address any issues or impediments as soon as they arise1. Waiting to bring this up in the next Sprint Retrospective would mean delaying feedback and action, which can lead to waste or dissatisfaction.

Bring the concern to the quality assurance members of the Scrum Team and ask them to improve how the system is tested. This option is incorrect because it goes against your role as a facilitator, who helps the participants have constructive and respectful conversations. By bringing the concern to only a subset of the Scrum Team, you are creating silos and excluding others from contributing or learning. You are also implying that quality is only their responsibility, rather than a shared accountability of the whole Scrum Team. Moreover, you are not asking them for their input or feedback, but telling them what to do, which can undermine their autonomy and motivation.

Explain to the Product Owner that it is up to the Developers to decide on acceptable performance standards as they own the Definition of Done. This option is incorrect because it contradicts your role as a coach, who helps people grow and improve their skills and behaviors. By explaining to the Product Owner that it is up to the Developers to decide on acceptable performance standards, you are dismissing their concern and creating a gap between them and the Developers. You are also ignoring their valuable perspective and input as a stakeholder representative, who has a clear vision of what value means for the product. Instead of explaining, you should be asking questions and listening actively, and facilitating a dialogue between them and the Developers.

References: 1: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-scrum-master  2: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/scrum-master-supporting-product-owner  3: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-empiricism-and-why-is-it-important-to-scrum  4: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-review : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/definition-done : https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-retrospective : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/facilitation-scrum-masters-superpower : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/quality-shared-responsibility : https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/coaching-scrum-masters-superpower : https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner