PSPO-I Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO I) Exam Questions and Answers

The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team. The Product Backlog is dynamic; it constantly changes to identify what the product needs to be appropriate, competitive, and useful. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the Product Backlog, as it does not contain all foreseeable tasks and requirements, it does not provide just enough information to start the design phase, and it is not baselined to follow change management processes23.

1: What is a Product Backlog? | Scrum.org 2: What is a Product Backlog? | Agile Alliance 3: Product Backlog: Definition, Examples & Techniques | Wrike Guide

 This is the best answer because it respects the Scrum values of openness, commitment, and focus. The Developers should be transparent about their progress and collaborate with the Product Owner to adjust the Sprint scope accordingly. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers, so he or she should be involved in any decisions that affect the Sprint Goal and the Product Backlog. References:

• Scrum Guide, page 10: “If the work turns out to be different than the Developers expected, they collaborate with the Product Owner to negotiate the scope of Sprint Backlog within the Sprint.”
• Scrum Guide, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.”

Scrum

The two primary ways a Scrum Master helps a Scrum Team work at its highest level of productivity are by facilitating Scrum Team decisions and by removing impediments that hinder the Scrum Team12. The Scrum Master is a facilitator and a coach, helping the team remove impediments and facilitating team decisions12. This enables the team to focus on their work and maintain their productivity12.

 These are the best answers because they ensure that security concerns are addressed in a transparent and consistent way. By adding security criteria to the Definition of Done, the Scrum Team can make sure that every Increment meets a high standard of quality and security. By creating Product Backlog items for specific security concerns, the Scrum Team can prioritize and plan them in collaboration with the Product Owner and stakeholders. References:

• Scrum Guide, page 14: “The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product.”
• Scrum Guide, page 15: “The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product.”

• The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product.
• All types of requirements are acceptable on a Product Backlog, as long as they are aligned with the product vision and goals, and they are transparent, clear, and valuable. The Product Backlog can include stability requirements, performance requirements, product functionality, documentation, fixes, or any other aspects that contribute to the quality and usability of the product.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog

Non-functional requirements are the criteria that define the quality, performance, security, usability, and other aspects of a product1. They are often implicit or assumed, but they are important to make visible and explicit, as they affect the value and satisfaction of the product2. One effective way to make non-functional requirements visible is to add them to the Product Backlog, which is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product[3][3]. By adding non-functional requirements to the Product Backlog, the Product Owner and the Developers can prioritize, refine, and estimate them, and make them transparent to the stakeholders4. Another effective way to make non-functional requirements visible is to add them to the Definition of Done, which is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, and ensures transparency of the quality of the work done5. By adding non-functional requirements to the Definition of Done, the Developers can ensure that every Product Backlog item and Increment meets the expected quality standards, and that the work is taken care of every Sprint.

References:

1: Non-functional requirement, Wikipedia, accessed on December 16, 2023

2: Managing Products with Agility, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

[3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

4: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 7

5: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 13

 Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

The Developers are the people in the Scrum Team who are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint. The Developers are accountable for organizing and managing their work. Only the Developers can decide how to perform the work during the Sprint1. The Developers plan the work necessary to create an Increment that meets the Definition of Done during the Sprint Planning event. This is often done by decomposing Product Backlog items into smaller work items of one day or less. How this is done is at the sole discretion of the Developers. 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 Developers are responsible for creating and maintaining the Sprint Backlog1. The Developers are not accountable for selecting the Product Owner, reporting productivity, or any other activities that are not related to creating a Done Increment that meets the Sprint Goal123. References:

• Scrum Guide
• What is a Developer?
• Who Determines How Work Is Performed During The Sprint?
• [What is Sprint Planning?]

The practices that might help the Product Owner minimize waste in developing and sustaining the Product Backlog are:

• Remove items from the Product Backlog that have not been addressed in a long time. This helps keep the Product Backlog relevant, concise, and focused on delivering value. Items that have not been addressed in a long time may indicate that they are not important, feasible, or desirable anymore. They may also clutter or confuse the Product Backlog and make it harder to order and prioritize.
• Only fully describe Product Backlog items when it seems likely they will be implemented. This helps avoid spending too much time or effort on items that may change or be discarded later. Items that are likely to be implemented soon should have more detail and precision than items that are further away or uncertain. The level of detail and precision required for each item depends on its order, size, and complexity.

Other options, such as avoiding distracting the Scrum Team by maintaining newly gathered Product Backlog items in a separate Product Backlog until they are fully understood or handing off ownership of the Product Backlog to someone else, are not practices that might help minimize waste in developing and sustaining the Product Backlog. They may actually create more waste by reducing transparency, collaboration, alignment, or ownership.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”

The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. The Definition of Done is created by the Scrum Team, not just the Developers. The Scrum Team must have a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, to ensure transparency. The Definition of Done is used to assess when work is complete on the product Increment. The Definition of Done may vary significantly per Scrum Team, depending on the context. The Definition of Done evolves over time and is updated whenever the Scrum Team learns more about the product and the environment in which it operates.

References:

• The Scrum Guide
• Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
• Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I Certification

the first Sprint is the same as any other Sprint, and the Scrum Team should deliver a potentially releasable Increment of "Done" product at its conclusion. This means that the team should build at least one piece of valuable functionality that meets the Definition of Done and aligns with the Sprint Goal. The other options are not things that the Scrum Team should do during the first Sprint, as they are either too detailed, too vague, or too long-term for the Scrum framework. The Scrum Team should not make up a plan for the rest of the project, as Scrum is an empirical process that adapts to changing requirements and feedback1. The Scrum Team should not define the major product features and a release plan architecture, as these are the responsibilities of the Product Owner, who should have a vision and a roadmap for the product2. The Scrum Team should not analyze, describe, and document the requirements for the subsequent Sprints, as this would violate the principle of emergent design and just-in-time planning3.

1: The Scrum Guide | Scrum.org 2: What is a Product Owner? | Scrum.org 3: Emergent Design and Just-in-Time Planning | Scrum.org

The Developers are accountable for managing the progress of work during a Sprint, as they are the ones who plan, execute, and deliver the work. The Scrum Guide states that "The Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint."1 The Developers are also responsible for conducting the Daily Scrum, a 15-minute event for the Developers to synchronize activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours.1 The Developers are self-managing, which means they decide how best to accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the Scrum Team.1

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 7
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Definition of Done is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, and ensures transparency of the quality of the work done1. A Product Backlog item is considered complete when it meets the Definition of Done, which means that it is usable and potentially releasable, and that it meets the quality standards set by the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The other options are not sufficient to determine the completeness of a Product Backlog item, as they may not reflect the actual value and quality of the product.

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 13

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

• False: Product Owners do not have to specify complete acceptance criteria for a Product Backlog item before the Developers can select the item in Sprint Planning.
• Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions that a Product Backlog item must satisfy to be considered “Done” and acceptable for delivery.
• Acceptance criteria are not mandatory in Scrum, but they can help the Product Owner and the Developers to clarify the expectations and requirements of a Product Backlog item.
• Acceptance criteria can be added or refined by the Product Owner at any time, but they should be clear and testable before the Sprint starts.
• The Developers can select a Product Backlog item in Sprint Planning based on their understanding of its value, scope, and complexity, as well as their capacity and skills. They can also collaborate with the Product Owner to define or refine the acceptance criteria during Sprint Planning. References: Scrum Guide, Section 3.4 (The Product Backlog), Section 5.1 (Sprint Planning), and Section 6.4 (The Increment)

Correct Answer: D. Never. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.

Explanation: According to the Scrum Guide, the Scrum Team consists of one Product Owner, one Scrum Master, and Developers. The Scrum Team is responsible for all product-related activities, including delivering a valuable, usable product increment every Sprint. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers. The Developers are accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog; instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done; and adapting their plan each day toward the Sprint Goal. The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide, helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, and removing impediments to the Scrum Team’s progress.

Therefore, the Developers are not individually accountable for the value of a Product Backlog item selected for the Sprint, but collectively accountable as part of the Scrum Team. The value of a Product Backlog item is determined by the Product Owner, who orders the Product Backlog items based on stakeholder needs and feedback. The Developers collaborate with the Product Owner to understand the value and requirements of each Product Backlog item and deliver a potentially releasable product increment that meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], section 2.2: “The Scrum Team is responsible for all product-related activities from stakeholder collaboration, verification, maintenance, operation, experimentation, research and development, and anything else that might be required.”
• Accountabilities in Scrum | Scrum.org: “Scrum has three accountabilities, each with a different focus : Product Owner (green figure) The "What". With a focus on Value, time to market, return on investment and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Developers (red figures) The "How". Focus on building something that is Done – that the increment is useable and potentially releasable.”
• What is a Developer in Scrum? | Scrum.org: “The specific skills needed by the Developers are often broad and will vary based on the type of work they are doing. However, the Developers are always accountable for: Creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done Adapting their plan each day toward the Sprint Goal”

A Product Owner orders a Product Backlog in any way they think will maximize the value of the product1. They take various factors into consideration when ordering the Product Backlog such as business value, risk, return on investment (ROI), dependencies and impact1. Dependencies between Product Backlog items and their relevance to achieving the Product Goal are two of these factors12. The availability of the Scrum Master and the number of stakeholders who approve of the item are not valid criteria for ordering the Product Backlog3.

To say that an event has a timebox means that the event has a fixed duration that cannot be exceeded. The Scrum Guide states that "All events are time-boxed events, such that every event has a maximum duration. Once a Sprint begins, its duration is fixed and cannot be shortened or lengthened. The remaining events may end whenever the purpose of the event is achieved, ensuring an appropriate amount of time is spent without allowing waste in the process."1 This means that the timebox sets an upper limit for the event, but the event can end sooner if the goal is met.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 10
• 2: The Scrum Guide

 An Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints.1 An Increment is a concrete, tangible, and usable outcome of the work done by the Developers in a Sprint. It is not a plan, a mock-up, a design, or a roll-out plan, as these are not valuable or useful products in themselves. An Increment must meet the definition of “Done”, which means it must adhere to the quality standards agreed upon by the Scrum Team and the stakeholders.1 An Increment must also be potentially releasable, which means it must be in a state that it could be delivered to the customer or user if the Product Owner decides so.1

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 14
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Guide states that "The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute time-boxed event for the Development Team to synchronize activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours."1 The Daily Scrum is a quick and simple planning meeting designed to keep everyone in the loop with how other team members are getting on. It ensures that team members are fully aligned with each other and on track to hit the Sprint Goal.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 11
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Master should allow the Developers to self-manage and determine for themselves what to do because:

• It respects the autonomy and empowerment of the Developers. The Developers are accountable for organizing and managing their own work, and they are the best people to decide how to conduct their Daily Scrum. The Scrum Master should not impose or dictate how the meeting should be set up or run, as that would undermine the self-organization and collaboration of the Developers.
• It supports the continuous improvement and adaptation of the Developers. The Developers are expected to inspect and adapt their process and practices, and to find ways to overcome any challenges or impediments they face. The Scrum Master should not solve the problems for them, but rather facilitate their problem-solving and learning abilities.
• It aligns with the role and responsibilities of the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum, and for helping everyone understand and enact Scrum theory, values, principles, and practices. The Scrum Master is not a manager or a leader of the Developers, but rather a servant-leader who enables them to work effectively.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “The Developers are accountable for … organizing and managing their work.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “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. This creates focus and improves self-management.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: “The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Developers. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 7: “The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization.”

The ideal time for refinement to take place and who should participate are the Scrum Team during the current Sprint, if they have been unable during preceding Sprints to define Product Backlog items with enough precision to begin work, and the Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items that are ready for selection. This is because:

• Product Backlog refinement is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to Product Backlog items. It is an ongoing and collaborative process that involves the whole Scrum Team.
• The Scrum Team should refine the Product Backlog as needed to ensure that there are enough items that are sufficiently clear and ready for selection in Sprint Planning. The amount of time spent on refinement usually varies from one Scrum Team to another, but it is recommended not to exceed 10% of the capacity of the Developers.
• The Scrum Team may also use a Sprint to refine the Product Backlog if they have not been able to do so in previous Sprints. This may happen when the product is new or complex, or when there is a significant change in the product vision or direction. However, this should be an exception rather than a rule, as it may delay the delivery of value and feedback.

Other options, such as business analysts doing the refinement work for the Scrum Team, the Product Owner doing the refinement alone in Sprint 0 or between Sprints, or handing off the ownership of the Product Backlog to someone else, are not consistent with the principles and values of Scrum. They may lead to misunderstandings, misalignment, or loss of ownership and accountability.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 8, section “Release Management”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 9, section “Business Strategy”

The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. Within a Scrum Team, there are no sub-teams or hierarchies. It is a cohesive unit of professionals focused on one objective at a time, the Product Goal. The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They are responsible for creating and communicating a vision, ordering the Product Backlog, and ensuring that the best possible job is done to delight customers. The Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to delivering a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal. They are responsible for managing and organizing their work within the Sprint, collaborating with the Product Owner and the Scrum Master, and applying their skills and creativity to create a product that delivers value to the stakeholders and customers. A Project Manager is not a role in the Scrum Team, as Scrum does not recognize titles for Developers, regardless of the work being performed by the person. There is no need for a Project Manager, as the Scrum Team is self-managing and accountable for delivering value.

References:

• The Scrum Guide
• The Scrum Team
• Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I Certification

 When there are multiple teams working on one product, each Scrum Team should not have a separate Product Owner. This is because:

• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They are responsible for identifying and articulating the Product Goal, which is a long-term objective for the product that guides all the activities of the Scrum Team.
• The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog, which is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. They must ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible, and understood by everyone who needs to work on it.
• Having multiple Product Owners for one product may lead to conflicts, inconsistencies, or confusion among the Scrum Teams and the stakeholders. It may also reduce the alignment, collaboration, and ownership of the product development.
• Instead of having multiple Product Owners, it is recommended to have one Product Owner who works with representatives from each Scrum Team to ensure that they have a shared understanding of the product vision, goals, and priorities. The Product Owner may also delegate some of the Product Backlog management tasks to these representatives, but they remain accountable for the final decisions.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 6, section “Product Vision”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 9, section “Business Strategy”

• One of the possible indicators that a Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team is when the Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect what she thought she had asked for. This means that there is a gap or a misunderstanding between the Product Owner and the Developers regarding the Product Backlog items, the acceptance criteria, the Definition of Done, or the product vision and goals.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
• The Sprint Review is an event that occurs at the end of each Sprint, where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. The Sprint Review is an opportunity for the Product Owner to validate that the Increment meets her expectations and delivers value to the customers and users. The Sprint Review is also an opportunity for the Developers to demonstrate their work and receive feedback from the Product Owner and the stakeholders.
• If the Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect what the Product Owner thought she had asked for, it may indicate that there was insufficient or ineffective communication, collaboration, or alignment between the Product Owner and the Developers during the Sprint. This may result in wasted effort, rework, delays, or dissatisfaction for both parties. To avoid or resolve this situation, the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team by doing some of the following actions:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Sprint Review: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-review
• Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
• Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum

The Sprint Backlog is the output of the Sprint Planning, where the Developers select the Product Backlog items that they can deliver in the Sprint and create a plan for how to do the work. The Scrum Guide states that "The Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint (what), as well as an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (how)."1 The Sprint Backlog is owned and managed by the Developers, who can update it throughout the Sprint as more is learned. The Sprint Backlog makes visible all the work that the Developers identify as necessary to meet the Sprint Goal.1

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 15
• 2: The Scrum Guide

The Daily Scrum is held at the same time and same place because:

• The consistency reduces complexity. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can avoid wasting time and energy on scheduling, logistics, or coordination issues. They can also establish a routine and a rhythm that helps them focus on their work and their Sprint Goal.
• The consistency increases transparency. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can ensure that everyone is aware of when and where the meeting takes place, and that everyone has an opportunity to participate and share their progress, plans, and challenges. They can also invite other stakeholders or observers, if they find it useful, to provide feedback or support.
• The consistency enhances collaboration. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can create a safe and comfortable space for them to communicate, interact, and collaborate with each other. They can also build trust, rapport, and accountability among themselves, and foster a sense of team spirit and ownership.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “The Daily Scrum is held at the same time and place each day to reduce complexity.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: “The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Developers. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting.”

In accordance with Scrum theory, a group of 100 people should be divided into multiple Scrum Teams by understanding the product, the product vision and the rules of the Scrum framework, and then dividing themselves into teams because:

• It respects the self-organization and empowerment of the people. The people are the ones who have the knowledge, skills, and experience to create and deliver the product. They are also the ones who will work together as Scrum Teams, collaborating and coordinating their efforts. Therefore, they should have the autonomy and authority to decide how to form their teams, based on their preferences, interests, and capabilities.
• It supports the alignment and coherence of the Scrum Teams. The people should have a clear and shared understanding of the product, the product vision, and the rules of the Scrum framework before forming their teams. This can help them to align their goals and missions, to ensure that they are working on the same product and towards the same vision. It can also help them to follow the same principles and practices of Scrum, to ensure that they are working effectively and consistently.
• It fosters the collaboration and synergy of the Scrum Teams. The people should form their teams in a way that maximizes their collaboration and synergy. This can mean choosing team members that complement each other’s skills and strengths, that have good rapport and trust, that can communicate and coordinate well, and that can deliver a valuable Increment each Sprint.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 5: “Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value in each Sprint.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 5: “Scrum Teams are self-managing, meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and how.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 9: “Multiple Scrum Teams working together on a product use one Product Backlog.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 9: “The Product Owner is one person, not a committee.”

During the Sprint Review, the stakeholder’s role is not to reorder the Product Backlog, but rather to provide feedback and suggestions on the product and the process. Therefore, the answer is false because:

• The Sprint Review is an informal meeting, not a status meeting, and the presentation of the Increment is intended to elicit feedback and foster collaboration. The stakeholders are invited to attend the Sprint Review as observers, participants, or customers, and they can share their opinions, ideas, or requests regarding the product and its features, functionality, quality, value, etc.
• The ordering of the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner. They order Product Backlog items to best achieve goals and missions. The Product Owner may consider the feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders, as well as other factors such as dependencies, risks, costs, etc., when ordering the Product Backlog. However, they are not obliged to follow or implement them.
• The Product Backlog is not a fixed or final list of requirements, but rather an emergent and dynamic artifact that represents all the possible changes to the product. The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes refining, communicating, and optimizing the Product Backlog items. The Product Owner may update the Product Backlog at any time, not only during the Sprint Review.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The ordering of the items in the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … ordering Product Backlog items; and ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 15: “The Sprint Review is an informal meeting, not a status meeting, and the presentation of the Increment is intended to elicit feedback and foster collaboration.”

In Scrum, feedback loops are essential mechanisms that allow for inspection and adaptation at regular intervals. The three feedback loops from the options provided are:

• Sprint Review (A): This is a feedback loop that occurs at the end of the Sprint to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. It involves stakeholders and provides an opportunity to inspect the progress towards the Product Goal.
• Daily Scrum ©: This is a daily feedback loop for the Developers to synchronize their work and plan for the next 24 hours. It helps in identifying challenges and creating a plan to achieve the Sprint Goal.
• Sprint Retrospective (D): This feedback loop occurs after the Sprint Review and before the next Sprint Planning. It is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint.

The Refinement Meeting (B) is not considered a feedback loop but rather an ongoing process of adding details to Product Backlog items. Release Planning (E) is not a formal event in Scrum and thus not a prescribed feedback loop.

References: The Scrum Guide and the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO I) materials describe these events as integral parts of the Scrum framework that serve as feedback loops1

• Transparency is one of the three pillars of Scrum, along with inspection and adaptation. Transparency means that all aspects of the Scrum process and the product are visible and understandable to everyone who needs to work on or with them. Transparency enables effective inspection and adaptation, which are essential for delivering valuable products and improving the Scrum Team’s performance.
• All Scrum artifacts must be transparent to ensure sufficient accuracy of inspection. Scrum artifacts include the Product Backlog, the Sprint Backlog, and the Increment. The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product.
• Two measures that ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent are:
• The other options are not valid or relevant measures to ensure that the Product Backlog is transparent. They are either too restrictive, arbitrary, or unrelated to the Product Backlog’s transparency. They are:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Transparency: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/transparency-scrum-value
• Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog
• MoSCoW: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/moscow/

The Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable increment every Sprint. The Increment is the sum of all Product Backlog items Done during a Sprint and the value of all the previous Increments. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable and useful Increment every Sprint1. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team1. The Developers are responsible for creating a Done Increment that meets the Sprint Goal1. The Scrum Master is responsible for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide and helping everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values1. References:

• Scrum Guide
• What is an Increment and how Does it Connect with the other Elements of Scrum?
• The Professional Product Owner

• In Scrum, there is only one product and one Product Backlog for a given product. The Product Backlog is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product. The Product Backlog is ordered by the Product Owner based on the product vision, goals, and value.
• Having multiple Product Backlogs for one product would create confusion, duplication, inconsistency, and waste. It would also make it harder to align the Scrum Teams and the stakeholders on the same product direction and priorities. Therefore, each Scrum Team should not have a separate Product Backlog.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• Having multiple Product Owners for one product would create conflicts, overlaps, gaps, and inefficiencies. It would also make it harder to maintain a clear and consistent product vision, strategy, roadmap, and backlog. Therefore, there should be only one Product Owner for one product.
• In some cases, when there are multiple Scrum Teams working on one product, it may be necessary to have some form of scaling or coordination mechanism to ensure alignment and collaboration among the teams. However, this does not mean that there should be multiple Product Owners or Product Backlogs. Instead, there should be ways to facilitate communication, feedback, integration, and transparency among the teams and with the Product Owner. For example, some frameworks or practices that can help with scaling Scrum are Nexus, LeSS, SAFe, or Scrum of Scrums.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Nexus: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-nexus
• LeSS: https://less.works/
• SAFe: https://www.scaledagileframework.com/
• Scrum of Scrums: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/scrum-of-scrums/

The main topic of discussion is the product Increment, which is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints1. The product Increment is demonstrated and inspected by the attendees, and feedback is collected to inform the next Sprint Planning12. The Sprint Review may also include other topics, such as the Product Backlog, the Product Goal, the market conditions, the budget, and the timeline, but the product Increment is the essential topic1234. The Scrum process, and how it was used during the Sprint, is not a topic for the Sprint Review, but rather for the Sprint Retrospective, which is a separate event where the Scrum Team inspects and adapts its way of working1. Coding and engineering practices are also not relevant for the Sprint Review, as they are internal aspects of the Development Team that do not affect the value of the product Increment1. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The product Increment.

The Sprint Backlog is created during Sprint Planning, where the Developers select the Product Backlog items that they can deliver in the Sprint and create a plan for how to do the work. The Scrum Guide states that "The Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint (what), as well as an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (how)."1 The Sprint Backlog is owned and managed by the Developers, who can update it throughout the Sprint as more is learned.

References:

• 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 15
• 2: The Scrum Guide

A Scrum Team is a cross-functional, self-managing team that has all the necessary competencies and skills to deliver a potentially releasable Increment of value at the end of each Sprint. The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. The Scrum Team does not rely on external roles or hierarchies to complete their work. (Must be taken from Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO I) resources)

References:

• Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I Certification
• Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training

The Product Owner and the Scrum Master are essential roles in the Scrum Team. They have distinct accountabilities and responsibilities that contribute to the success of the product and the team. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers. The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum and the Scrum Team. Both roles need to be fully engaged and available to the Scrum Team throughout the Sprint.

The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers to synchronize activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours. This meeting is designed to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary. The intended outcomes are to identify any impediments that may prevent the Developers from achieving the Sprint Goal (D) and to foster a shared understanding among the Developers of what work is most important to undertake next in order to make the best possible progress toward the Sprint Goal (E). It is not a status update meeting for the Scrum Master or upper management, nor is it primarily about updating Scrum boards for stakeholder transparency.

References: The Scrum Guide and the resources provided by Scrum.org on the Daily Scrum emphasize these outcomes as essential to the effectiveness of the Daily Scrum event12.

According to Scrum.org, the Developers own the Sprint Backlog12. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers1. It is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint in order to achieve the Sprint Goal1. Consequently, the Sprint Backlog is updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned1.

If the Developers find out during the Sprint that they are not likely to build everything they forecast, the best response from the Product Owner is to re-work the selected Product Backlog items with the Developers to meet the Sprint Goal. This is because:

• The Sprint Goal is a short-term objective that provides guidance and focus to the Scrum Team throughout the Sprint. It is a flexible and negotiable commitment that can be adjusted as more is learned throughout the Sprint.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment in every Sprint. They must ensure that every Product Backlog item they work on meets the Definition of Done before it is considered complete.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They must inspect the Increment at the end of each Sprint and assess how it delivers value and contributes to the Product Goal.
• The Product Owner and the Developers must collaborate closely throughout the Sprint to ensure that they have a shared understanding of what they are building and why. The Product Owner must provide clarifications, feedback, and guidance to the Developers as needed to help them create a valuable Increment.
• If the Developers find out during the Sprint that they are not likely to build everything they forecast, it means that there is a gap between their initial plan and their actual progress. This may happen due to various reasons, such as new insights, changing requirements, technical challenges, or unforeseen circumstances.
• In this situation, the Product Owner should work with the Developers to re-work the selected Product Backlog items to meet the Sprint Goal. This may involve adding, removing, or modifying some items, as long as they still support the Sprint Goal and deliver value. The Product Owner should also communicate any changes or impacts to the stakeholders and customers as appropriate.

Other options, such as skipping Product Backlog refinement activities, informing management that more Developers are needed, changing the Sprint Goal, or canceling the Sprint, are not valid responses from the Product Owner as they do not reflect what should happen in Scrum or how to deal with uncertainty and complexity.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 15, section “Sprint Goal”
• [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “Developers”
• [Scrum Guide], page 6, section “Product Owner”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Definition of Done”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Increment”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”

Cross-functional teams are not optimized to work on one component or layer of a system only. This is because:

• Cross-functional teams are teams that have all the skills and competencies needed to accomplish the work without depending on others who are not part of the team.
• Cross-functional teams are able to deliver value across the entire product, rather than focusing on a specific component or layer. They can work on any aspect of the product that is needed to achieve the Sprint Goal and the Product Goal.
• Cross-functional teams are more agile, collaborative, and creative than teams that are specialized or siloed. They can reduce dependencies, handoffs, and delays, and increase feedback, learning, and adaptation.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “Developers”
• [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
• [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “The Scrum Team”

It is not true that a Product Owner must create clear and unambiguous acceptance criteria for each Product Backlog item before it may be selected in Sprint Planning. This is because:

• Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions that a Product Backlog item must satisfy to be accepted by the Product Owner or the stakeholders. They are used to verify that the item meets the expected quality and value standards.
• Acceptance criteria are not mandatory or prescribed in Scrum. They are one of the possible techniques that a Product Owner may use to communicate their expectations and requirements to the Developers and the stakeholders. They are not part of the Scrum Guide or the Definition of Done.
• Acceptance criteria do not need to be created before Sprint Planning. They can be created or refined at any time during the product development process, as long as they are clear and agreed upon before the item is considered complete. They can also be changed or updated based on feedback or new insights.
• The only requirement for a Product Backlog item to be selected in Sprint Planning is that it is sufficiently clear and ready for selection. This means that it has enough detail and precision for the Developers to understand what they are supposed to build and why. It also means that it has been refined and ordered by the Product Owner based on value and impact.

References:

• [Scrum Guide], page 14, section “Sprint Planning”
• [Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”
• [Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”

• The Sprint Review is an event that occurs at the end of each Sprint, where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. The Sprint Review is an opportunity for the Product Owner to validate that the Increment meets their expectations and delivers value to the customers and users. The Sprint Review is also an opportunity for the Developers to demonstrate their work and receive feedback from the Product Owner and the stakeholders.
• The purpose of a Sprint Review is to inspect the product Increment with the stakeholders and collect feedback on next steps. The Sprint Review is a collaborative and interactive session where the Scrum Team and the stakeholders discuss what was done in the Sprint, what problems were encountered, what was learned, and what can be improved or changed. The Sprint Review also provides input for updating the Product Backlog to maximize value in future Sprints.
• The other options are not valid or relevant purposes of a Sprint Review. They are either too vague, unrelated, or incorrect. They are:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Sprint Review: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-review

Multiple Scrum Teams working on the same product do not have to have the same Sprint start date. The Scrum Guide does not prescribe any synchronization of Sprints across multiple teams1. However, it is recommended that the teams align their Sprint cadence and duration, and coordinate their dependencies and integration through a shared Product Backlog, a common Definition of Done, and frequent communication2. This way, the teams can deliver a coherent and valuable product Increment every Sprint[3][3].

References:

1: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 9

2: Managing Products with Agility, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

[3][3]: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Scrum.org, accessed on December 16, 2023

• The Scrum Team is a self-organizing and cross-functional team that delivers valuable products in an agile way. The Scrum Team consists of one Product Owner, one Scrum Master, and Developers. They are all accountable for creating a valuable, useful, and potentially releasable product Increment each Sprint.
• The Scrum Team is responsible for making sure everyone on the Scrum Team does their tasks for the Sprint. The Scrum Team does not rely on any external authority, manager, or leader to assign or monitor their work. The Scrum Team collaborates and coordinates their work as one unit, without any hand-offs or silos. The Scrum Team also inspects and adapts their work based on empirical evidence and feedback.
• The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
• The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. The Scrum Master does this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization.
• The other options are not valid or relevant answers for who should make sure everyone on the Scrum Team does their tasks for the Sprint. They are either nonexistent or irrelevant roles in Scrum. They are:

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Scrum Team: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-scrum-team
• Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
• Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum
• Scrum Master: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-scrum-master

The value delivered by a product can not be determined by revenue alone, because:

• Revenue is only one aspect of value, and it may not reflect the true impact or benefit of the product for the stakeholders, the users, and the society. For example, a product may generate high revenue, but also cause environmental damage, ethical issues, or customer dissatisfaction.
• Value is a subjective and relative concept, and it may vary depending on the context, the perspective, and the criteria of the evaluation. For example, a product may have different value for different segments of customers, or for different markets or regions.
• Value is dynamic and emergent, and it may change over time due to various factors, such as feedback, competition, innovation, or regulation. For example, a product may lose its value as new alternatives or solutions become available, or as customer needs or preferences evolve.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Goal describes a future state of the product which can serve as a target for the Scrum Team to plan against.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … optimizing the value of the work the Scrum Team performs.”

• 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 Goal. The Sprint Backlog is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint, and it belongs solely to the Developers.
• The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
• The Developers are also responsible for updating the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a plan with enough detail that changes in progress can be understood in the Daily Scrum. 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 Goal.
• As new work is required, the Developers add it to the Sprint Backlog. As work is performed or completed, the estimated remaining work is updated. When elements of the plan are deemed unnecessary, they are removed. Only the Developers can change its content and order during a Sprint.

References:

• Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
• Sprint Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-backlog
• Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum

• The best statement that describes Scrum is: A framework to generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems.
• Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams, and organizations to deliver valuable products in complex and uncertain environments.
• Scrum is based on empiricism, which means that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed. Scrum employs an iterative and incremental approach to optimize predictability and control risk.
• Scrum is not a defined and predictive process, a complete methodology, or a cookbook that defines best practices. Scrum provides the minimal boundaries within which teams can self-organize and create innovative solutions. References: Scrum Guide, Section 1 (Definition of Scrum) and Section 2 (Uses of Scrum)