CSM Questions and Answers

TheScrum Mastershouldcoach the Scrum Teamto understand the importance of theSprint Retrospective. This event is essential for inspecting and adapting processes, tools, and team dynamics, enabling continuous improvement in future Sprints.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

TheSprint Retrospectiveis a key event where the Scrum Team reflects on their performance and identifies actionable improvements.

It promotes collaboration, accountability, and self-management, all of which are crucial in Scrum.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Let the Developers decide:The Sprint Retrospective is a mandatory event for the Scrum Team, and the Developers cannot decide to skip it.

C. Escalate to the Product Owner:The Product Owner is not responsible for team dynamics or facilitating Scrum events. This is the Scrum Master’s responsibility.

D. Exclude those members of the Scrum Team from participating:Excluding team members would undermine team collaboration and the purpose of the event. Instead, the Scrum Master should address the underlying concerns and help the team recognize its value.

TheDaily Scrumis a short, time-boxed event (15 minutes) where Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan for the day. It is not intended to solve problems or deep-dive into discussions. If a major technical issue is identified during the Daily Scrum, the team should note it and arrange to discuss and solve itoutside of the Daily Scrum.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Daily Scrum is focused on progress toward the Sprint Goal, and issues that require detailed discussion or resolution should be handled separately.

The Scrum Master may help facilitate these follow-up discussions if needed.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Interrupt the Daily Scrum and solve the problem immediately:The Daily Scrum is not a problem-solving session. Interrupting it for detailed discussions disrupts its purpose and timebox.

C. Escalate it to the Product Owner:Technical issues are typically handled by the Developers, not the Product Owner, who is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring value delivery.

D. Discuss it during the Sprint Review:Waiting until the Sprint Review to discuss atechnical issue would delay resolution and risk jeopardizing the Sprint Goal.

One of the key services aScrum Master provides to the Product Owneris helping them findeffective Product Backlog management techniques. This ensures that the Product Owner can maximize the value of the product and effectively manage the Product Backlog.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by:

Helping the Product Owner find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management.

Facilitating stakeholder collaboration when needed.

Supporting empirical product planning for complex environments.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Assign tasks to the Developers:Tasks are not assigned in Scrum. Developers are self-organizing and responsible for determining how they will complete the work.

B. Write user stories:Writing user stories is a Product Owner responsibility, not the Scrum Master's.

C. Prioritize the backlog:The Product Owner prioritizes the Product Backlog, not the Scrum Master.

When Developers ask for help or admit they do not know something, they demonstrateCourage, one of the five Scrum Values. It takes courage to be open about challenges or limitations and seek assistance, as it fosters collaboration, transparency, and trust within the team.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Values include:

Commitment: Dedicated to the team’s goals and delivering value.

Focus: Concentrating on the Sprint Goal and avoiding distractions.

Openness: Transparent about work and progress.

Respect: Valuing each other's contributions and perspectives.

Courage: Taking risks, speaking up, and tackling challenges.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Respect:Respect is about valuing team members' contributions, but asking for help reflects personal courage.

C. Commitment:Commitment relates to dedication to achieving goals, not specifically asking for help.

D. Focus:Focus involves prioritizing and working toward the Sprint Goal, not addressing knowledge gaps or challenges.

When a team member refuses to participate in Sprint Planning, theScrum Master should first meet individually to address their concerns. Understanding the root cause of their reluctance can help the Scrum Master guide them toward recognizing the value of the event. This approach demonstrates respect and a willingness to resolve the issue constructively.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is responsible for:

Coaching team memberson the importance of Scrum events, such as Sprint Planning.

Fostering collaborationand ensuring all team members understand their role and responsibilities in achieving the Sprint Goal.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Ask for management's assistance:Involving management should be a last resort. The Scrum Master should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the team member.

B. Mandate attendance:Forcing participation without addressing the underlying concerns could lead to disengagement and resentment.

C. Discuss the importance of team work:While teamwork is important, addressing the individual's specific concerns first is a more targeted and effective approach.

Scrumis a lightweight framework designed to help teams and organizations addresscomplex problemsand deliver value in an adaptive manner. It is based on the principles of empiricism (transparency, inspection, and adaptation) and is widely used for developing, delivering, and sustaining products in a flexible and iterative way.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, Scrum is:

A lightweight framework that helps people, teams, and organizationsgenerate valuethroughadaptive solutionsfor complex problems.

Defined by roles, events, artifacts, and rules that are intentionally simple yet highly effective.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Kanban:Kanban is a method for visualizing work and improving flow, but it is not a framework specifically designed for solving complex problems like Scrum.

C. Agile:Agile is a broader philosophy or mindset that includes various frameworks (such as Scrum, Kanban, etc.), but Scrum itself is a specific framework.

D. Waterfall:Waterfall is a traditional, sequential approach to project management that lacks the flexibility and adaptiveness of Scrum.

ScrumArtifactsrepresent work or value, providing transparency and opportunities for inspection and adaptation. TheSprint Backlogis one of the three primary Scrum Artifacts defined in the2020 Scrum Guide:

Product Backlog: The ordered list of everything that is needed in the product.

Sprint Backlog: The plan for the Sprint, including the Sprint Goal, selected Product Backlog items, and the work plan for delivering the Increment.

Increment: The sum of all work completed during a Sprint that meets the Definition of Done.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Definition of Done:While critical to ensuring quality, the Definition of Done is not an Artifact but rather a standard that applies to the Increment.

C. Sprint Goal:The Sprint Goal is part of the Sprint Backlog but is not a standalone Artifact.

D. Sprint Burndown Chart:This is a complementary tool used for tracking progress but is not an official Artifact in Scrum.

The Scrum Team must demonstrateCommitmentto achieve the Sprint Goal. Commitment is one of the five Scrum Values, and it reflects the team’s dedication to the Sprint Goal, the work planned in the Sprint Backlog, and to collaborating effectively. Without commitment, the team cannot focus on delivering the Increment or achieving the Sprint Goal.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Values are:

Commitment: Dedication to the team’s goals and delivering value.

Focus: Concentrating on the Sprint Goal and avoiding distractions.

Openness: Being transparent about challenges and progress.

Respect: Valuing each team member and their contributions.

Courage: Facing challenges and making tough decisions.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Completion:This is not a Scrum Value. Commitment drives completion, but "completion" itself is not a value.

C. Agreement:While agreement is important, Scrum does not define it as a core value.

D. Alignment:While alignment is critical to achieving goals, it is not one of the five Scrum Values.

Thethree Scrum artifacts—Product Backlog,Sprint Backlog, andIncrement—providetransparencyinto the work and enable opportunities forinspection and adaptation. These artifacts are essential to ensuring the Scrum Team and stakeholders can inspect progress and adapt plans to maximize value.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

Product Backlog: Represents all the work needed to achieve the Product Goal and allows inspection and prioritization of upcoming work.

Sprint Backlog: A real-time plan for the Sprint that provides transparency into what the team is working on and allows inspection and adaptation during the Sprint.

Increment: The outcome of the Sprint that is usable and meets the Definition of Done, enabling stakeholders to inspect progress and provide feedback.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Burndown Charts, release plan and Product Backlog:Burndown charts and release plans are complementary tools, but they are not official Scrum artifacts.

C. Definition of Done and Product Backlog:The Definition of Done is not an artifact but a shared understanding of when work is complete.

D. Definition of Done, Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog:While the Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog are artifacts, the Definition of Done is not.

Facilitatingis the activity that seeks to build consensus in a group setting. In Scrum, the Scrum Master often acts as afacilitator, helping the team reach agreements during events such as Sprint Planning, Retrospectives, or backlog refinement sessions. Facilitators guide discussions neutrally, ensuring all voices are heard and helping the group align on decisions.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master:

Facilitates Scrum events as requested or needed.

Removes barriers to communication and fosters collaboration within the team.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Coaching:Coaching involves guiding individuals or teams to improve performance, but it is not specifically about building group consensus.

B. Teaching:Teaching focuses on imparting knowledge, not consensus-building.

C. Mentoring:Mentoring involves a one-on-one relationship where the mentor shares knowledge and experience, which is not a group activity.