Three members of Team C created a new workflow to speed up the testing process. They spent an entire Iteration designing the process but discovered, just before implementation, that the system could not support the workflow. The rest of the team was excited to hear what was learned from the failed experiment. Which of the following characteristics of a high-performing Agile Team is Team C demonstrating?

1. A. Accountability to each other and the organization for reliably completing quality work
2. B. Mutual trust that allows for both healthy conflict and reliance on others
3. C. A safe environment for taking risks without fear of embarrassment or criticism
4. D. Enjoying the work and working together

Correct Answer: C
A safe environment for taking risks without fear of embarrassment or criticism is one of the characteristics of a high-performing Agile Team. A high-performing Agile Team is a cross- functional group of people that have everything, and everyone, necessary to produce a working, tested increment of product1 They are empowered, collaborative, aligned, and committed to delivering value to the customers and the organization2 One of the factors that enable a high-performing Agile Team is a safe environment where team members can experiment, learn, and grow without fear of failure, blame, or judgment3 A safe environment fosters a culture of innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement, as well as a sense of psychological safety, trust, and belonging among team members4 Team C is demonstrating this characteristic by creating a new workflow to speed up the testing process, even though it did not work out as expected. The rest of the team was excited to hear what was learned from the failed experiment, rather than being disappointed or
critical. This shows that the team values learning over perfection, and supports each other in taking risks and trying new things. (Must be taken from SAFe 6 Scrum Master resources) References:
✑ Agile Teams - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ High-Performing Teams - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ How to Create a Safe Environment for Agile Teams | AgileConnection
✑ Psychological Safety - Scaled Agile Framework

What is one way a Scrum Master/Team Coach can support productive team Backlog
Refinement sessions?

1. A. Ensure subject matter experts are invited
2. B. Create a reusable agenda for the team ahead of time
3. C. Generate ideas for Stories with the team before refinement
4. D. Assure teammates that they will be heard

Correct Answer: A
One way a Scrum Master/Team Coach can support productive team Backlog Refinement sessions is to ensure subject matter experts are invited. Subject matter experts (SMEs) are people who have specialized knowledge or skills related to the domain or technical aspects of the product or solution. They can provide valuable input and feedback to the team during Backlog Refinement, such as clarifying requirements, validating assumptions, identifying dependencies, and suggesting solutions. SMEs can also help the team to split, estimate, and prioritize the backlog items more effectively and accurately. By inviting SMEs to the Backlog Refinement sessions, the Scrum Master/Team Coach can facilitate better collaboration, communication, and alignment among the team and the stakeholders. (Must be taken from SAFe 6 Scrum Master resources)
References:
✑ Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ Exam Study Guide: SSM (6.0) - SAFe® Scrum Master - scaledagile.com
✑ What is backlog refinement? | Miro

What is one anti-pattern that emerges when teams do not spend enough time refining the backlog?

1. A. Teams arrive to Team Sync without progress to share
2. B. Teams enter retrospectives without improvement ideas
3. C. Teams enter new Iterations without enough Stories prepared
4. D. Teams arrive to Iteration Planning without specified goals

Correct Answer: C
One anti-pattern that emerges when teams do not spend enough time refining the backlog
is that they enter new Iterations without enough Stories prepared. This can result in several negative consequences, such as: 123
✑ The team may struggle to plan and commit to the Iteration Goals, as they lack clarity, feasibility, and testability of the Stories.
✑ The team may face delays, rework, and waste, as they encounter unanticipated dependencies, risks, or technical issues during the Iteration.
✑ The team may deliver low-quality or incomplete Stories, as they rush to meet the Iteration deadlines or compromise on the Definition of Done.
✑ The team may lose focus, alignment, and motivation, as they work on ambiguous or unrealistic Stories that do not deliver value to the customers or the organization.
To avoid this anti-pattern, the team should dedicate sufficient time and effort to refine the backlog on a regular basis, preferably every Iteration123 Backlog Refinement is an ongoing process where the team collaborates with the Product Owner and other stakeholders to review, split, prioritize, and estimate the Stories in the Team Backlog4 One of the main objectives of Backlog Refinement is to ensure that the Stories are ready for Iteration Planning, which means they are clear, feasible, testable, and small enough to be completed in a single Iteration2 By doing so, the team can improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of their work, as well as deliver value to the customers and the organization

Which of the following events aligns teams on a train?

1. A. Architect Sync
2. B. Iteration Planning
3. C. PI Planning
4. D. Coach Sync

Correct Answer: C
PI Planning is one of the events that aligns teams on a train. PI Planning is a cadence-based event for the entire Agile Release Train (ART) that aligns teams and stakeholders to a shared mission and vision. PI Planning provides an opportunity for the ART to review the business context and priorities, identify and resolve dependencies and risks, and commit to a realistic and achievable plan for the next Program Increment (PI). PI Planning is essential to SAFe: If you are not doing it, you are not doing SAFe1 (Must be taken from SAFe 6 Scrum Master resources)
References:
✑ PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ Planning Interval (PI) - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ Preparing for PI Planning | Checklist for Scrum Masters and Product ??
✑ Scrum Master - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ SAFe® 6.0 Scrum Master Certification (SSM) Course - Vinsys

What is one practice Scrum Masters/Team Coaches can use to facilitate conflict management?

1. A. Implement a formal complaints system
2. B. Encourage team members to resolve conflicts on their own
3. C. Enforce working agreements
4. D. Escalate conflicts to the Release Train Engineer

Correct Answer: C
One practice Scrum Masters/Team Coaches can use to facilitate conflict management is to enforce working agreements. Working agreements are a set of guidelines that define how a team wants to work together, communicate, and collaborate. They are created by the team members themselves and reflect their shared values, norms, and expectations. Working agreements can help prevent or reduce conflicts by establishing clear boundaries, roles, and responsibilities, as well as by promoting respect, trust, and transparency among team members. Working agreements can also help resolve conflicts by providing a common reference point and a framework for constructive feedback and dialogue. Scrum Masters/Team Coaches can support the team in creating, reviewing, and updating their working agreements, as well as in holding each other accountable for following them. (Must be taken from SAFe 6 Scrum Master resources)
References:
✑ Scrum Master/Team Coach - Scaled Agile Framework
✑ How does a Scrum Master manage conflict within a scrum team? - Agile Centre
✑ Conflict Management as a Scrum Master | Agile Velocity