PSPO-II Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II (PSPO 2) Questions and Answers

Sharing people with unique skills across multiple teams will likely result in teams having to wait more often for those people to be available, impeding the delivery of value. This is because those people will have to context-switch between different teams, products, anddomains, reducing their focus and efficiency1. Moreover, sharing people with unique skills will create bottlenecks and dependencies in the delivery process, increasing the risk of delays and quality issues2. Furthermore, sharing people with unique skills will discourageteams from developing deep technical skills themselves, making them less cross-functional and self-organizing3. Therefore, the best answer is A.

The other options are not correct because:

B. Teams do not have to develop deep technical skills. This is not a desirable condition, as it contradicts the Scrum value of commitment and the principle of continuous improvement. Teams should strive to develop deep technical skills to deliver high-quality products and to respond to changing requirements and technologies4.

C. Costs are lower since expensive resources are shared. This is not necessarily true, as the costs of context-switching, waiting, and quality issues may outweigh the benefits of sharing resources. Moreover, this option implies a resource-oriented mindset, rather than a value-oriented mindset, which is not aligned with the Scrum framework and the Product Owner role5.

D. More work gets done since people are better utilized. This is not a valid measure of success, as the amount of work done does not reflect the value delivered. Moreover, this option implies a utilization-oriented mindset, rather than an outcome-oriented mindset, which is not aligned with the Scrum framework and the Product Owner role. References: 1: Context Switching, 2: Bottlenecks and Dependencies, 3: Cross-Functional Teams, 4: Technical Excellence, 5: Resource vs. Value Orientation, : Utilization vs. Outcome Orientation

A is correct because forming products that are as independent as possible reduces the complexity and dependency of the product development, and allows each product to deliver value faster and more frequently1. Coordination among the products is stillnecessary to ensure alignment and consistency, but it should not be centralized or imposed by a higher authority2. B is incorrect because creating a centralized, coordinated cross-product Development Plan goes against the principles of empiricism, self-organization, and agility that Scrum promotes3. C is incorrect because appointing a Project Lead to oversee all the products undermines the accountability and autonomy of the Product Owners and the Scrum Teams4. D is incorrect because ensuring that the PMO manages the inter-product dependencies creates a layer of bureaucracy and control that hinders the collaboration and innovation of the Scrum Teams5. E is incorrect because it includes all the wrong answers.

According to the PSPO II guide and Scrum.org competencies, when ordering Product Backlog items, a Product Owner should consider various factors to maximize the value of the work done by the Scrum Team. These factors include:

A. Dependencies to other products: Recognizing dependencies to other products is crucial for the Product Owner to ensure that the Scrum Team is working on items that can be completed and deliver value without being blocked by external dependencies.

B. Value of Product Backlog items: The primary role of a Product Owner is to maximize the value delivered by the Scrum Team, and ordering items based on their value is a fundamental aspect of this responsibility.

C. Dependencies between Product Backlog items: Understanding and managing dependencies between Product Backlog items helps in planning Sprints more effectively, ensuring that the team is working on items in a logical sequence.

D. Cost of delay: The cost of delay is a critical economic factor that influences the ordering of Product Backlog items. Items that would result in a higher cost if delayed should be prioritized.

E. Cost of implementation: While value maximization is the goal, the cost of implementation cannot be ignored. Balancing the cost and the expected value is essential for effective Product Backlog management.

These considerations are in line with the Scrum.org Professional Scrum competencies, particularly under 'Managing Products with Agility', where it's emphasized that Product Owners should have a deep understanding of market value, product feasibility, and the importance of making trade-offs to maximize value.

Option D is the best answer because it indicates that the Product Owner and the Scrum Team are not aligned on the vision, goals, and value of the product. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team1. Todo so, the Product Owner needs to work closely with the Scrum Team, communicate the product vision, provide clear and valuable Product Backlog items, collaborate on the Sprint Goal, and inspect and adapt the product based on feedback23. If the Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect the Product Owner’s expectations, it means that there is a gap between what the Product Owner wants and what the Scrum Team delivers. This gap can lead to waste, rework, dissatisfaction, and missed opportunities. The Product Owner should work more with the Scrum Team to ensure that they have a shared understanding of the product and its value proposition, and that they deliver Increments that meet the Definition of Done and the acceptance criteria45.

Option A is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. People may leave the Scrum Team for various reasons, such as personal, professional, or organizational factors. While the Product Owner should care about the well-being and motivation of the Scrum Team members, and try to foster a positive and collaborative environment, the Product Owner is not accountable for the people management or the team composition1. The Scrum Master is more likely to address the issues that cause people to leave the Scrum Team, such as impediments, conflicts, or dysfunctions.

Option B is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is expected to spend enough time with the Scrum Team to provide them with the necessary guidance and feedback2. However, the Product Owner also has other responsibilities, such as engaging with stakeholders, customers, and users, managing the Product Backlog, validating the product value, and aligning the product strategy with the business goals12. The Product Owner does not need to work full time with the Scrum Team, as long as they are available and accessible when needed, and they empower the Scrum Team to make decisions and self-organize .

Option C is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. The acceptance criteria for the Product Backlog items are the conditions that must be met for the items to be considered done and valuable. The Product Owner is accountable for defining and communicating the acceptance criteria to the Scrum Team1. However, the Product Owner can also collaborate with the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to refine and clarify the acceptance criteria, and to ensure that they are aligned with the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal . The acceptance criteria for the Product Backlog items may not appear to be complete at the beginning of the Sprint, but they can be refined and updated throughout the Sprint, as long as they do not change the scope or the value of the items. The Product Owner should work with the Scrum Team to ensure that the acceptance criteria are clear, testable, and valuable, but they do not need to work more with the Scrum Team just because the acceptance criteria are not complete at a certain point in time.

References:

1: Product Owner Accountabilities

2: Product Backlog Management

3: Product Value

4: Product Vision

5: Sprint Review

: Scrum Master Accountabilities

: Stakeholders & Customers

: Business Strategy

: Definition of Done

: Product Backlog Refinement

: Sprint Planning

: Sprint Backlog

Option A is the best answer because it reflects the agile and empirical nature of Scrum and Product Ownership. The Product Vision is a concise and inspiring statement that describes the purpose, direction, and value proposition of the product1. The Product Vision is not a fixed or static document, but rather an emergent and dynamic one that adapts to the changing environment, needs, and feedback. The Product Owner is accountable for creating and communicating the Product Vision to the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The Product Owner collaborates with the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to inspect and adapt the Product Vision based on the new insights, opportunities, and learnings that arise from the changing environment34. The Product Owner also uses various techniques, such as product discovery, user research, market analysis, and experiments, to validate and refine the Product Vision5 .

Option B is not the best answer because it contradicts the accountability of the Product Owner. The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog and maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is also the sole person responsible for creating and communicating the Product Vision to the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The Product Owner may seek input and feedback from the Scrum Team and the stakeholders, but the final decision and authority on the Product Vision belongs to the Product Owner. The Scrum Team and the stakeholders are not accountable for developing and evolving the Product Vision, but they are expected to understand and support it .

Option C is not the best answer because it contradicts the reality and complexity of product development. The Product Vision is not a technical specification, but rather a strategic and business-oriented statement that guides the development of the product1. The Product Vision does not prescribe how the product should be built, but rather why and what the product should achieve. However, the Product Vision is not completely detached from the technical aspects of the product, as the technology choices may have an impact on the feasibility, desirability, and viability of the product. The Product Owner should be aware of the strategic technology choices and their implications, and discuss them with the Development Team and the stakeholders, as part of the product discovery and validation process .

References:

1: Product Vision

2: Product Owner Accountabilities

3: Empiricism

4: Stakeholders & Customers

5: Product Discovery

: Product Backlog Management

: The Scrum Guide

: Scrum Team

: Product Value

: Product Feasibility

: Product Validation

: [Agile Manifesto]

: [User Research]

: [Market Analysis]

: [Experiments]

The value of a product is not determined by how many features it has, how much it costs, or how fast it is delivered, but by how well it meets the needs and expectations of the customers and stakeholders. Therefore, the best measure of value is how often and how effectively the customers use the product to achieve their goals and solve their problems. This can be assessed by using metrics such as customer satisfaction, retention, engagement, loyalty, referrals, revenue, or any other indicators that reflect the desired outcomes and benefits of the product.

The other options are not the best measures of value, because they either focus on the output rather than the outcome, or they do not reflect the customer perspective. The number of “must-do” Product Backlog items delivered in a release may indicate the scope or the quality of the product, but not necessarily the value. The average cost of the product release may indicate the efficiency or the profitability of the product, but not necessarily the value. The on-schedule performance of the Scrum Team may indicate the predictability or the agility of the product development process, but not necessarily the value. References := Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification, Managing Products with Agility, Evidence-Based Management

 A burndown chart is a graphical tool that shows the amount of work remaining versus time. It is often used to track the progress of a Sprint or a release. The work remaining is usually measured in terms of effort, such as hours or story points, and it is plotted on the vertical axis. The time is measured in terms of days or weeks, and it is plotted on the horizontal axis. The burndown chart starts with the total amount of work at the beginning of the Sprint or release, and it ideally ends with zero work at the end. The slope of the burndown chart indicates the rate of progress, or the velocity, of the Scrum Team12.

The other options are not what burndown charts track. Accumulated cost, accumulated business value, and individual worker productivity are not relevant or useful metrics for Scrum Teams, as they do not reflect the value or the quality of the product. Scrum Teamsfocus on delivering potentially releasable increments of the product that meet the Definition of Done, and they use empirical feedback to inspect and adapt their work13. References: 1: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework 2: Burndown Chart 3: Managing Products with Agility

As a Product Owner, you are accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. To do this, you need to have a clear understanding of the product vision, the product value, and the product backlog management. Measuring feature usage is one way to gather empirical evidence of the value delivered by the product and the feedback from the customers and users. This data can help you validate or invalidate your assumptions, prioritize the product backlog items, and inspect and adapt the product strategy. Therefore, measuring feature usage is not a waste of time, but a valuable practice for agile product management.

Moreover, as a Product Owner, you are also responsible for engaging with the stakeholders and customers, and providing them with transparency and openness. This means that you should share the data and the insights you gain from it with them, and invite them to collaborate with you and the Scrum Team. This can help you build trust and alignment, and foster a culture of experimentation and learning. Therefore, you should not hide the data or stop measuring it, but rather use it as a basis for constructive dialogue and decision making.

References:

Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification

Managing Products with Agility

Evidence-Based Management

A. Reorder items in the Product Backlog: The Product Owner is responsible for ordering the Product Backlog to maximize value12.

B. Answer questions from the Developers about items in the current Sprint: The Product Owner is engaged throughout the sprint, answering questions on how things are supposed to function & look4.

E. Gather information and opinions from stakeholders: Gathering information and opinions from stakeholders is a key activity for the Product Owner, as it helps in understanding the value and ordering the Product Backlog

The primary accountability of a Product Owner within the Scrum framework is to maximize the value of the work that the Scrum Team delivers. This involves managing the Product Backlog, but the overarching responsibility is ensuring that the team’s efforts translate into value

Verified Answer: A, B

Very Very Short Explanation: In the context of Scrum and the PSPO II guidelines, when there is uncertainty about customer needs or market desires, it is recommended to make smaller releases to allow for quicker feedback and adaptation (A), and to increase the focus on validating customer needs to ensure that the product development is aligned with what customers actually want (B).This approach is consistent with the principles of empiricism and agility, which emphasize the importance of transparency, inspection, and adaptation123.

A. Increase transparency: The Definition of Done (DoD) creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed and what standards were met as part of the Increment1.

C. Create a shared understanding of when work is complete: The DoD is a shared understanding among the team members of when a product increment is ready for release2.

D. Describe the work that must be done before the Sprint can be declared complete: The DoD includes all of the characteristics and standards an Increment needs to meet in order to be released1. Once the Definition of Done is met, the Increment is Done and can be delivered1.

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 Goal1. The Sprint Backlog is a forecast by the Developers about what functionality will be in the next Increment and the work needed to deliver that functionality into a “Done” Increment2. The Sprint Backlog is a plan with enough detail that changes in progress can be understood in the Daily Scrum2. 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 Goal2. The Sprint Backlog is not a commitment to deliver a fixed scope of work, but rather a forecast of what the Developers believe they can do in the Sprint3. Therefore, the Sprint Backlog does not need to be fully defined during the Sprint Planning, but only enough so the Developers can create a realistic forecast of what they can do during the Sprint. References: 1: Sprint Backlog, 2: The Scrum Guide, 3: Commitment vs. Forecast

B is correct because the Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers1, and delaying answers to the Developers can cause waste, rework, and missed opportunities2. E is correct because the Product Owneris responsible for ensuring that the product Increment is valuable and useful for thestakeholders and customers3, and this requires close collaboration and feedback with the Scrum Team and the users4. A is incorrect because the Product Owner does not need to dedicate 100% of their time to the Scrum Team, as they also have other accountabilities such as engaging with the market, managing the product vision, and aligning with the business strategy5. C is incorrect because the Product Owner is not a proxy for the stakeholders, and they should not delegate their role to business analysts or anyone else. D is incorrect because the Product Owner does not need the approval of the stakeholders to decide how much time they spend with the Scrum Team, as they are empowered to make the best decisions for the product. F is incorrect because the Product Owner should not base their time allocation on the complaints of the Developers, but on the value and quality of the product.

 Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems. Scrum consists of three roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner and Developers), five events (Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective), and three artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog and Increment). Each component of Scrum serves a specific purpose and is essential to the successful usage of Scrum. Scrum is not a methodology, where you can “pick and choose” which parts of Scrum you think will work for your environment. Scrum is a whole, and each part of Scrum complements the others. Scrum is based on empiricism, which means that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed. Scrum employs an iterative, incremental approach to optimize predictability and control risk. Scrum is not like traditional processes but with self-management to replace Project Managers. Scrum is a different way of working that requires a shift in mindset and culture. Scrum promotes self-organization, collaboration, transparency, inspection and adaptation.

References:

Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

[The Scrum Guide]

Option A is correct because talking to users is one of the best ways to understand their needs, goals, and pain points. By spending more time with them, you can identify the impact they seek from your product and how your features align with that impact. This will help you validate your assumptions and learn from your customers12.

Option B is incorrect because disabling features that have never been used is a risky and potentially harmful action. It may cause frustration and confusion for the users who rely on those features, or who may want to use them in the future. It may also damage your reputation and trust with your customers. Instead of disabling features, you should seek feedback from your users and understand why they are not using them34.

Option C is correct because running experiments is a powerful way to increase your understanding of what customers find valuable. By testing different hypotheses and measuring the outcomes, you can learn from your data and evidence. You can also use experiments to validate your ideas and assumptions before investing in building features5 .

Option D is correct because examining whether the rarely used features solve the intended problem is a crucial step to evaluate your product performance. You should review your product vision and goals, and assess how your features contribute to them. You should also analyze the feedback and data you have collected from your users and stakeholders, and identify any gaps or mismatches between your features and their needs .

References:

1: Product Backlog Management

2: Stakeholders & Customers

3: Product Value

4: Evidence-Based Management

5: Product Vision

: Forecasting & Release Planning

: [Business Strategy](https://www

According to the Scrum Guide, the Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. There is no distinction between different types ofDevelopers, such as testers, programmers, designers, etc. The Developers are the people who deliver a potentially releasable Increment of “Done” product at the end of each Sprint. They are accountable for creating and adhering to the Definition of Done, ensuring technical excellence and good design, and collaborating with the Product Owner to maximize value1. Therefore, everyone on the Scrum Team is responsible for ensuring the quality of the product, and there is no specific tester role. However, this does not mean that testing skills are not needed or valued. On the contrary, testing is an essential activity that supports the team and critiques the product throughout the development process2. A professional tester can contribute to the Scrum Team by coaching the team on testing techniques, tools, and practices, helping the team to define clear and unambiguous acceptance criteria, challenging the team to consider different scenarios and edge cases, creating and executing test plans, and providing feedback on the product’s usability, performance, security, and other aspects3. A professional tester can also collaborate with the Product Owner to ensure that the product meets the expectations and needs of the stakeholders and users.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

In earlier versions of the Scrum Guide, theDaily Scrumwas structured around three specific questions:

What did I do yesterday?

What will I do today?

What impediments are blocking my progress?

However,the latest Scrum Guide (2020 and beyond) no longer prescribes these questions. Instead, it emphasizes that theDaily Scrum is an event for the Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan as necessary.

Why the Answer is E (None of the Above):

Scrum no longer mandates specific questionsfor the Daily Scrum.

Thefocus is on progress toward the Sprint Goal, not on individual work tracking.

Developers decide how they structure the discussionto improve collaboration and planning.

Time spent (Option D) is not relevantto Scrum’s empirical approach, which values outcomes over effort tracking.

Key Scrum Guide Principles Supporting This Answer:

"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."

"The Daily Scrum is not a status meeting; it is an event to inspect progress and adapt the Sprint Backlog as needed."

Conclusion:

The Scrum Guide doesnot require specific questionsat the Daily Scrum, makingOption E ("None of the above") the correct answer.

According to the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II certification guide1, the Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. It is a commitment made by the Scrum Team during Sprint Planning. The Sprint Goal provides guidance to the Developers on why it is valuable to build a coherent Increment. The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint. The whole Scrum Team then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is valuable to stakeholders. The Product Owner should not dictate the Sprint Goal, but rather collaborate with the Developers and the Scrum Master to create a shared understanding and alignment. The other options are not activities that a Product Owner should never do, because they are either part of the Product Owner’s accountabilities (A, C, D) or may be done in collaboration with others (A, D). References: 1: Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification | Scrum.org

The Product Backlog is an ordered list of what is needed to improve the product, and it is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for ordering the Product Backlog items by value, risk, priority, and dependencies. The Product Backlog should be transparent and accessible to the Scrum Team and the stakeholders, so that everyone can understand the scope and progress of the product development. Therefore, options A and B are true statements about the Product Backlog.

Option C is not true because the Product Backlog items can be expressed in various formats, such as user stories, use cases, scenarios, or any other way that clearly conveys the intent and value of the item. User stories are a common and useful technique, but not a mandatory one.

Option D is not true because the Product Backlog is not a fixed and complete specification of the product, but rather an emergent and dynamic artifact that evolves over time. The Product Backlog items are refined and clarified by the Product Owner and the Developers throughout the product development process, and new items can be added or removed as needed. The Product Backlog does not need to be fully defined before the first Sprint begins, but only enough to support the first Sprint Planning.

Option E is not true because the Product Owner is not the only source of ideas and requirements for the product. The Product Owner collaborates with the Developers and the stakeholders to discover, validate, and prioritize the Product Backlog items. The Product Owner may delegate the authority to add items to the Product Backlog to others, but remains accountable for the ordering and the value of the Product Backlog.

Option F is not true because the Product Backlog does not replace the communication and collaboration between the Developers and the stakeholders. The Product Backlog represents the input of all stakeholders, but it is not a substitute for direct feedback and interaction. The Developers need to engage with the stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations, and feedback, and to deliver a valuable product increment that meets the Sprint Goal and the Definition of Done. References:

Professional Scrum Product Owner II Assessment

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

Managing Products with Agility

[What is a Product Backlog?]

[Product Backlog Explained]