True or False: Every Scrum Team must have a Product Owner and Scrum Master.
Correct Answer:
D
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.
Who determines when it is appropriate to update the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
C
✑ 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
How much time is required after a Sprint to prepare for the next Sprint? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
D
The Scrum Guide states that "Sprints have consistent durations throughout a development effort. A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint."1 This means that there is no gap or break between Sprints, and the Scrum Team does not need to spend extra time to prepare for the next Sprint. The Scrum Team should be able to start the next Sprint Planning right after the Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective of the previous Sprint. The Scrum Team should also ensure that the testing and documentation of the work are done within the Sprint, and not left for later.
References:
✑ 1: The Scrum Guide2, page 9
✑ 2: The Scrum Guide
What does it mean to say that an event has a timebox? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
A
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
Which of the following are criteria to order Product Backlog items? (choose all that apply)
Correct Answer:
ABC
The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog items according to various criteria, such as:
✑ The value of Product Backlog items. The Product Owner aims to maximize the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. Therefore, they prioritize the items that deliver the most value to the stakeholders and the users, considering factors such as customer satisfaction, market share, revenue, social impact, etc.
✑ The dependencies between Product Backlog items. The Product Owner tries to minimize the dependencies between items, as they may create complexity, uncertainty, and risk. Therefore, they order the items in a way that reduces or eliminates the dependencies, or resolves them as early as possible.
✑ The dependencies to other products. The Product Owner also considers the dependencies that the product has to other products, such as platforms, frameworks, libraries, services, etc. Therefore, they order the items in a way that aligns with the availability and compatibility of those products.
References:
✑ 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 11: “The ordering of the items in the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner. They order Product Backlog items to best achieve goals and missions.”
✑ Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “Higher ordered Product Backlog items are clearer
and more refined than lower ordered ones.”