PSM-I Sample Questions Answers

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , one aspect of Scrum Teams inspecting how they work toward their Product Goal is that they improve their definition of “Done” over time. The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. Therefore, it is most appropriate for a Development Team to change the definition of “Done” during the Sprint Retrospective.

According to the Scrum Guide, the Product Owner has the final decision about the order of items in the Product Backlog, as he or she is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team. The other roles do not have this authority, although they may provide input and suggestions to the Product Owner.

The best two answers are B and D. These two ways of dealing with regulatory compliance issues are consistent with Scrum’s values and principles, as they allow the Scrum Team to deliver valuable and potentially releasable increments of the product while meeting the necessary standards and regulations. They also enable the Scrum Team to inspect and adapt their compliance strategy based on feedback and changing requirements.

A is not a good answer because it creates a separate silo of responsibility for compliance issues, which can lead to delays, conflicts, and inefficiencies. It also violates the Scrum value of transparency, as the compliance team may not have full visibility into the product development process.

C is not a good answer because it implies a waterfall approach that assumes all the compliance requirements are known and fixed upfront, which is rarely the case. It also reduces the flexibility and responsiveness of the Scrum Team, as they may have to follow a rigid plan that does not reflect the current reality of the product or the market.

 According to the Scrum Guide, the Sprint Review is a time for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to inspect the product Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. The Product Owner is responsible for keeping the stakeholders aware of the progress of the project and inviting them to the Sprint Review. If the Product Owner has not been doing this, or if the stakeholders have not been using the Sprint Review to inspect and evaluate progress, then they may be disappointed and angry at the seventh Sprint Review. The other options are not likely factors that led to this situation, as they are either irrelevant (such as the PMO or the development area) or incorrect (such as delaying the release).

The correct answer is C. The Scrum Team creates the Definition of Done. According to the Scrum Guide 1 , “The Developers are required to conform to the Definition of Done, which is defined and evolves with the Scrum Team.” The Definition of Done is a commitment by the Developers for the Increment, but it is also a shared understanding within the whole Scrum Team, including the Product Owner and the Scrum Master 2 . The Scrum Team collaborates to create and update the Definition of Done as needed, based on the product and organizational standards 3 . The Definition of Done is not imposed by any external authority or individual.

The correct answer is A, because a good first question for you to suggest the group thinks about when forming into teams is how will we make sure all teams have the right amount of expertise. This question helps the group consider the cross-functionality and self-organization of the Development Teams, which are essential for delivering a potentially releasable Increment every Sprint.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , 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.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , each event in Scrum is a formal opportunity to inspect and adapt something. These events are specifically designed to enable critical transparency and inspection. Failure to include any of these events results in reduced transparency and is a lost opportunity to inspect and adapt. 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. The time-box for the Sprint Review is four hours for a one-month Sprint.

According to the Scrum Guide, Developers are self-managing, which means that they manage their own Sprint Backlog. They decide how to organize their work and collaborate effectively to deliver a valuable Increment that meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal. The other options are not valid, as they imply that Developers manage things that are either determined by the Scrum framework (such as Sprint length), by collaboration with other roles (such as when to release or stakeholders for the Sprint Review), or by the Product Owner (such as Product Backlog ordering).

The correct answer is B, because the time-box for a Daily Scrum is 15 minutes. 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.”

Detailed Explanation & References from Scrum

???? Scrum Guide Reference:

" 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). " ​

" The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers . 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 Goal. " ​

???? Why is " C. The Developers " Correct?

The Sprint Backlog is owned and managed by the Developers because they are the ones responsible for planning and executing the work.

The Developers update and modify the Sprint Backlog as needed during the Sprint .

The Scrum Team collaborates during Sprint Planning to define the Sprint Backlog, but the ongoing responsibility for managing it lies only with the Developers .

This allows the team to self-manage and adapt as work progresses.

❌ Incorrect Answers with Explanations

❌ A. The Scrum Team

???? Why is this Incorrect?

While the Scrum Team (Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers) collaborates during Sprint Planning, only the Developers are responsible for the Sprint Backlog .

The Scrum Master does not manage the Sprint Backlog , and the Product Owner does not modify it once the Sprint starts .

❌ B. The Scrum Master

???? Why is this Incorrect?

The Scrum Master facilitates the process but does not own or manage the Sprint Backlog .

The Scrum Master helps the team understand Scrum practices and remove impediments , but they do not decide or change the Sprint Backlog ​.

❌ D. The Product Owner

???? Why is this Incorrect?

The Product Owner is responsible for the Product Backlog, NOT the Sprint Backlog .

Once a Sprint starts, the Product Owner cannot modify the Sprint Backlog —only the Developers can update it as they learn more.

The Product Owner is responsible for ensuring that the most valuable functionality is produced first, at all times, by ordering and prioritizing the Product Backlog. The Product Owner also interacts with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, and to communicate the vision and progress of the product. The other options are not part of the Product Owner role according to Scrum, as they are either too prescriptive or too technical.

The correct answer is C, because a Development Team should deliver an increment of working software that is “done” by the end of a Sprint. The Scrum Guide states that “the Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints. At the end of a Sprint, the new Increment must be ‘Done,’ which means it must be in useable condition and meet the Scrum Team’s definition of ‘Done’.”

The correct answer is B because as a Scrum Team matures, it is expected to strengthen its quality standards and improve its Definition of Done. The Scrum Guide explains that the Definition of Done creates transparency by making clear what it means for work to be complete. As the team becomes more capable, disciplined, and technically proficient, it often raises those standards to ensure higher quality, greater releasability, and more dependable Increments.

This improvement reflects empirical learning. A mature Scrum Team does not become less Scrum-like. It usually becomes more effective at applying Scrum. That means the team may refine engineering practices, strengthen testing, improve integration, and include more rigorous completion criteria in the Definition of Done.

Option A is incorrect because timeboxes do not expand simply because a team matures. Option C is incorrect because the Scrum Master remains accountable for Scrum effectiveness even with a mature team. Option D is incorrect because the Sprint remains a fixed timebox and a core element of Scrum. Option E is incorrect because Sprint Reviews continue to be essential for inspection and adaptation with stakeholders.

The correct answer is A, because keeping component teams while starting Scrum may cause less initial disruption than organizing into new teams. As they start using Scrum, they will discover what works best for them and how to potentially re-organize towards feature teams. However, component teams may face some challenges in delivering a working Increment of software that provides business value every Sprint, as they may depend on other teams or layers.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , the Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers of the Scrum Team. 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. The Daily Scrum optimizes the probability that the Developers will meet the Sprint Goal. Every day, the Developers should understand how they intend to work together as a self-organizing team to accomplish the Sprint Goal and create the anticipated Increment by the end of the Sprint. Management external to the Scrum Team is not involved in the Daily Scrum, as they may interfere with the self-management and empowerment of the Developers.

During the Sprint, the Scrum Master’s role is to facilitate inspection and adaptation opportunities as requested or needed, and to coach the team members in self-management, as stated in  3 : “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 Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team’s effectiveness. They do this by enabling the Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework.”

According to the Scrum Guide, a Scrum Master fulfills a different role from a traditional project manager. A Scrum Master is a servant-leader and a coach for the Scrum Team and the organization, not a manager or a supervisor. A Scrum Master does not assign tasks, set deadlines, or monitor progress, but rather facilitates self-organization, collaboration, and empiricism within the Scrum Team and the organization.

The Development Team must do as much work as it has told the Product Owner will be done for every Product Backlog item it selects in conformance with the definition of “Done”, as stated in the Scrum Guide 1 : “The Development Team works to forecast the functionality that will be developed during the Sprint. The Product Owner discusses the objective that the Sprint should achieve and the Product Backlog items that, if completed in the Sprint, would achieve the Sprint Goal. The entire Scrum Team collaborates on understanding the work of the Sprint.”

The best answer is B. A valuable, useful Increment that meets the Definition of Done.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , “an Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each Increment is additive to all prior Increments and thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. In order to provide value, the Increment must be usable.” The Scrum Guide also states that “work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done. The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product.”

Therefore, a Scrum Team should deliver a valuable, useful Increment that meets the Definition of Done at the end of each Sprint. This ensures that the product is potentially releasable and that the stakeholders can inspect and provide feedback on it.

A, C, and D are not correct answers.

A. A single document, if that is what management asked for.

This answer does not reflect the Scrum values of commitment, focus, and respect 1 . A Scrum Team should not deliver a single document just because management asked for it, but rather deliver an Increment that provides value to the customers and users. A document may be part of an Increment, but it is not an Increment by itself.

C. Failing unit tests, to identify acceptance tests for the next Sprint.

This answer does not reflect the Scrum principle of empiricism 1 . A Scrum Team should not deliver failing unit tests, but rather deliver an Increment that is thoroughly verified and meets the quality standards. Failing unit tests indicate that the work is not done and that there are defects or errors in the product. A Scrum Team should use unit tests to ensure that the product works as expected and to identify and fix any issues before delivering the Increment.

D. An Increment of software with minor known bugs in it.

This answer does not reflect the Scrum value of openness 1 . A Scrum Team should not deliver an Increment of software with minor known bugs in it, but rather deliver an Increment that meets the Definition of Done and is free of any known defects or issues. Delivering an Increment with bugs in it can compromise the trust and satisfaction of the stakeholders and can lead to technical debt or rework in the future. A Scrum Team should strive to deliver high-quality products that meet or exceed the expectations of the customers and users.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , the purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to increase quality and effectiveness. The Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done. Inspected elements often vary with domain, practices, and people involved. The Scrum Team identifies the most helpful changes to improve its effectiveness. The most impactful improvements are addressed as soon as possible. They may even be added to the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint. The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. The Scrum Master is part of the Scrum Team and should participate as a Scrum team member and facilitate as requested or needed.

According to the Scrum Guide, the Developers do the work to make sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done, as they are responsible for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done. The other options are not valid, as they imply that the work is done by someone else outside the Development Team (such as Quality Assurance Team) or by another role on the Scrum Team (such as Product Owner or Scrum Master).

The correct answers are B and C, because these are two responsibilities of a self-organizing Development Team. The Scrum Guide states that “the Development Team consists of professionals who do the work of delivering a potentially releasable Increment of ‘Done’ product at the end of each Sprint. Development Teams are structured and empowered by the organization to organize and manage their own work.” Therefore, the Development Team should pull Product Backlog items for the Sprint and do the work planned in the Sprint Backlog.

The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. Therefore, Option A is correct. This is one of the clearest and most important responsibilities defined in the Scrum Guide. The Product Owner manages the Product Backlog, orders work to best achieve goals and missions, and ensures that the backlog is transparent and understood. Their focus is on value optimization, not on controlling people or acting as a project manager.

Option B is incorrect because while the Product Owner may help with stakeholder collaboration, shielding Developers from all stakeholder interaction is not the core accountability. Option C is incorrect because Developers are self-managing, and the Product Owner does not direct their day-to-day work. Option D is also incorrect because Scrum does not define the Product Owner’s accountability as ensuring commitments to stakeholders are met in a traditional contractual sense. Instead, the Product Owner balances stakeholder needs, product direction, and value delivery.

A strong Product Owner makes sure the Scrum Team is always working on the most valuable thing first. That value-centered accountability is the best description of the role.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , 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 guides the Development Team in creating a “Done” Increment. The definition of “Done” is created by the development organization (or Development Team if none is available from the development organization). The definition of “Done” may vary significantly per Scrum Team, depending on the context. One aspect of Scrum Teams inspecting how they work toward their Product Goal is that they improve their definition of “Done” over time.

Two techniques that the Scrum Master could use when the Scrum Team gets caught in an internal disagreement about which agile practices to apply are to involve the complete Scrum Team in making a decision, and to use coaching techniques such as open questions and active listening, as stated in [3]: “The Scrum Master should facilitate a constructive dialogue among the team members and help them reach a consensus on which agile practices to use. The Scrum Master should also use coaching techniques such as open questions and active listening to understand the underlying needs and motivations of each team member and to help them find common ground.”

The correct answer is E because Scrum depends on transparency, collaboration, and collective accountability. If a Developer raises concerns about data security, the Scrum Master should encourage that concern to be brought to the Scrum Team as soon as possible so it can be openly inspected and addressed. Security is a serious product quality concern, and in Scrum, important issues should not remain private between two people when they affect the whole team’s work and the quality of the Increment.

Option A may sound reasonable, but the Scrum Master should not unilaterally add security to the Definition of Done. The Definition of Done is created and evolved appropriately through the Scrum Team’s work and organizational standards. Option B is too directive and bypasses team inspection and collaboration. Option C could eventually happen, but immediately creating a Product Backlog item does not address the need for transparency within the Scrum Team. Option D is incorrect because Scrum does not rely on a separate tester role to own quality concerns.

The Scrum Master should help the team surface the issue quickly so they can determine the right action together.

The next Sprint begins immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint, as stated in the Scrum Guide: “Sprints have consistent durations throughout a development effort. A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.”

The correct answer is B, because there is no role called “Project Manager” in Scrum. The Scrum Guide states that “Scrum recognizes no titles for Development Team members other than Developer, regardless of the work being performed by the person; there are no exceptions to this rule.” Therefore, Scrum has only three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developer.

According to the Scrum Guide, two characteristics of the Daily Scrum are its location and time remain constant and its purpose is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog. These characteristics promote consistency, transparency, and adaptation within the Development Team. The other options are not valid characteristics of the Daily Scrum, as they are either irrelevant (such as being held first thing in the morning) or inappropriate (such as being free form, facilitated by the team lead, or consisting of the Scrum Master asking for status).

According to the Scrum Guide, three behaviors that demonstrate that a team is self-organizing are creating their own sprint backlog, having all the skills needed to create a releasable Increment, and collaboratively selecting their own work during the Sprint. The other options are not behaviors that demonstrate self-organization, as they are either contrary to Scrum values and principles (such as stakeholders walking in at the Daily Scrum or working within functional boundaries) or unnecessary for self-organization (such as the Product Owner not being at Sprint Retrospectives or the Development Team inviting external people to the Sprint Planning).

The correct answer is C, because if necessary, the Development Team is responsible for removing a team member who is creating a hostile environment. The Scrum Guide states that “development Teams are self-organizing. No one (not even the Scrum Master) tells the Development Team how to turn Product Backlog into Increments of potentially releasable functionality.” Therefore, the Development Team should manage its own composition and dynamics, and may need help from the Scrum Master to facilitate this process.

According to the Scrum Guide, Developers do meet with stakeholders, especially during the Sprint Review and Sprint Planning events. The Product Owner is the primary person who interacts with stakeholders, but Developers also need to communicate with them to understand their needs, expectations, and feedback. The Product Owner may also invite stakeholders to provide clarifications or inputs during the Sprint.

When a Development Team determines that it will not be able to finish the complete forecast, both the Product Owner and the Development Team have to be present when reviewing and adjusting the Sprint work selected, as stated in [6]: “If there is not enough work remaining for all members of a Development Team then they can renegotiate scope with their Product Owner. If there is too much work remaining then they can also renegotiate scope with their Product Owner.”

The correct answers are C and E, because these statements explain what “Done” means. No work left from the definition of “Done” means that all Product Backlog items selected for a Sprint meet the quality criteria agreed upon by the Scrum Team. All work to create software that is ready to be released to end users means that the Increment is potentially releasable at any time during the Sprint.

The product has one Product Backlog, as it is a single source of requirements for any changes to be made to the product. There should be only one Product Owner, who is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team. Having multiple Product Owners or Product Backlogs would create confusion, inconsistency, and waste.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , an Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each Increment is additive to all prior Increments and thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. In order to provide value, an Increment must be usable. Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint. The sum of the Increments is presented at the Sprint Review thus supporting empiricism. However, an Increment may be delivered to stakeholders prior to the end of the Sprint. The Sprint Review should never be considered a gate to releasing value. Therefore, in order to produce integrated Increments that are potentially releasable, the best suited structure for Development Teams is to develop functionality from beginning to end throughout all technical layers.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , the Sprint Review is an informal meeting at the end of the Sprint, where the Scrum Team and stakeholders collaborate about what was done in the Sprint. Based on that and any changes to the Product Backlog during the Sprint, attendees collaborate on what to do next. The Product Owner explains what Product Backlog items have been “Done” and what has not been “Done”; the Development Team discusses what went well during the Sprint, what problems it ran into, and how those problems were solved; and the Development Team demonstrates the work that it has “Done” and answers questions about the Increment. The entire group collaborates on what to do next, so that the Sprint Review provides valuable input to subsequent Sprint Planning. The Sprint Review is mainly an inspect and adapt opportunity for the Scrum Team and stakeholders.

The best two answers are A and C. These two ways of creating Scrum Teams are consistent with Scrum’s values because they respect the self-organization and empowerment of the people who will be working in the teams. They also foster openness and courage by allowing the people to express their preferences and opinions about the new structure.

B, D and E are not consistent with Scrum’s values because they impose a top-down approach that does not involve the people who will be affected by the change. They also undermine the commitment and focus of the teams by assigning them to work on something they may not be interested in or passionate about.

The correct answer is C, because the second Sprint starts immediately after the first Sprint. 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.”

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , each Sprint is a project with no more than a one-month horizon. The Sprint Goal gives guidance to why the Scrum Team is building an Increment. The Development Team consists of professionals who do the work of delivering a potentially releasable Increment of “Done” product at the end of each Sprint. Therefore, in the first Sprint, as in any other Sprint, the Development Team should develop at least one piece of functionality and create an increment of potentially releasable software. The other options are not consistent with Scrum values and principles.

The best answer is C. The function or purpose of management in Scrum is to present the Scrum Teams with insights and resources that help them improve. According to the article What is the Function or Purpose of Management in Scrum? , management is still critical to providing vision, securing resources, hiring talent, training teams, removing roadblocks, and continuously improving. Management also encourages collaboration and establishes Scrum Team autonomy, which are essential for Scrum’s values and principles.

A, B and D are not good answers because they imply a command-and-control approach that contradicts Scrum’s values of respect, openness, and self-organization. Management in Scrum is not supposed to micromanage, judge, or interfere with the work of the Developers, but rather support them and enable them to deliver value.

The correct answer is B, because a Product Owner is best described as a value optimizer. The Scrum Guide states that “the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from work of the Development Team.” Therefore, a Product Owner should focus on delivering value to the customers and stakeholders through the product.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , during each Daily Scrum, each Developer answers three questions:

What did I do yesterday that helped meet our Sprint Goal?

What will I do today to help meet our Sprint Goal?

Do I see any impediment that prevents me or our Development Team from meeting our Sprint Goal?

The Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward achieving their Sprint Goal and producing a usable Increment. The Developers can start with any one person and proceed in any order.

The correct answer is D. 10 or fewer. According to the Scrum Guide 2020 1 , “The Scrum Team is small enough to remain nimble and large enough to complete significant work within a Sprint, typically 10 or fewer people.” The other options are outdated or incorrect. Option A was based on the previous version of the Scrum Guide, which suggested a range of 3 to 9 developers 2 . Option B is too vague and does not account for the upper limit of team size. Option C is too specific and does not allow for flexibility.

Correct Answer: C and E

Short Explanation: According to the Scrum Guide 2020 1 , the product has one Product Backlog, which is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team. The Product Backlog is ordered by the Product Owner, who is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. There should be only one Product Owner per product, who may represent the desires of a committee in the Product Backlog, but those wanting to change a Product Backlog item’s priority must address the Product Owner 1 . Having multiple Product Owners or Product Backlogs would create confusion, inconsistency, and waste in the Scrum process.

The correct answer is C because the Product Owner is a full member of the Scrum Team and participates in the Sprint Retrospective along with the Developers and Scrum Master. The Sprint Retrospective is not a meeting only for Developers or only for process specialists. It is an event for the Scrum Team to inspect how the last Sprint went with regard to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done, and then identify improvements for the future.

The Product Owner’s role in this event is not to act as an external observer or a stakeholder representative. Instead, the Product Owner contributes as a Scrum Team member by sharing observations, listening to concerns, and collaborating on ways to improve effectiveness and value delivery. This shared participation supports transparency and continuous improvement.

Option A is incorrect because the Retrospective is an internal Scrum Team event, not a stakeholder reporting session. Option B is incorrect because the Product Owner absolutely should participate. Option D is incorrect because capturing backlog requirements is not the purpose of the Retrospective. The main purpose is improvement of how the team works together.

According to the Scrum Guide, the timebox for a Sprint Planning event is 8 hours for a one-month Sprint, proportionally shorter for shorter Sprints. The other options are not valid, as they are either too long (such as monthly), too vague (such as whenever it’s done), or too short (such as 4 hours for a one-month Sprint).

The correct answer is E, because any of the above (or others) which are a decomposition of the selected Product Backlog items can be included in the Sprint Backlog. The Scrum Guide states that “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.” Therefore, any work items that help the Development Team achieve the Sprint Goal can be part of the Sprint Backlog.

According to the Scrum Guide, when many Scrum Teams are working on a single product, they must have a Definition of Done that makes their combined work potentially releasable. This ensures that there is a clear and consistent understanding of what “Done” means for the product and that there is no technical debt or unfinished work at the end of each Sprint. The other options are not valid descriptions of the Definition of Done for multiple Scrum Teams, as they either create inconsistency, confusion, or waste (such as having different definitions, discussing and reconciling differences during a hardening Sprint, or having the Scrum Masters define a common Definition of Done).

The correct answer is A. During the Sprint, the Product Owner remains actively engaged with the Scrum Team, especially by helping clarify Product Backlog items and answering questions from the Developers about the work selected for the Sprint. This supports transparency and helps the Developers better understand the desired outcome, business context, and value of the work.

Option B is incorrect because the Sprint Backlog belongs to the Developers. They organize the work required to meet the Sprint Goal and manage the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint. The Product Owner does not prioritize the Developers’ tasks inside the Sprint. Option C is incorrect because the Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers. The Product Owner does not run it. Option D is incorrect because updating management is not defined as a Product Owner accountability during the Sprint.

The Product Owner’s key accountability is maximizing product value, primarily through Product Backlog management and collaboration with the Scrum Team. During a Sprint, that often includes clarifying items, answering questions, and helping the team stay aligned on value and product direction. This makes Option A the best answer.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , the Sprint Goal is an objective set for the Sprint that can be met through the implementation of Product Backlog. It provides guidance to the Developers on why it is building the Increment. It also provides a basis for inspecting and adapting during the Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective. The Sprint Goal is a result of Sprint Planning, as is the Sprint Backlog.

According to the Scrum Guide, the Development Team is responsible for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of “Done”. User documentation is part of the Definition of “Done” in this scenario, so the Development Team must create it. The other options are not consistent with Scrum values and principles, such as self-organization, cross-functionality, and empiricism.

In Scrum, the term " done " refers to the state where the Increment meets the Definition of Done (DoD), which is a shared understanding within the Scrum Team of what it means for work to be complete. The best two answers are:

C. No work is left to meet the Definition of Done: This statement aligns with the Scrum Guide, which states that the Increment must be in a usable condition and meet the DoD by the end of the Sprint. The DoD ensures that the work is fully completed, tested, and integrated, leaving no outstanding tasks.

D. Ready to be released to end users: This reflects the goal of Scrum that the Increment should be in a potentially releasable state at the end of each Sprint, meaning it is of sufficient quality and functionality to be delivered to users if the Product Owner chooses to do so.

The other options are incorrect because:

A. Ready for integration: While integration is part of the process, " done " implies more than just being ready for integration; it includes being fully completed and meeting the DoD.

B. All work the Developers are willing to do: This is subjective and does not align with the objective standard of the DoD, which is agreed upon by the entire Scrum Team.

E. Whatever the Product Owner defines as quality: The DoD is a team responsibility, not solely defined by the Product Owner, ensuring a collective standard rather than an individual judgment.

According to the Scrum Guide, the best approach for Scrum Teams in order to produce valuable Increments is to have each Developer work on the component where they feel that they can contribute. This means that the Developers can self-organize and collaborate effectively to deliver a valuable Increment that meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal. The other options are not valid approaches, as they either imply that the Developers work in silos or rely on external people (such as developing functionality from beginning to end, working on an independent set of components, or working only as an independent layer of the system).

The correct answer is E because all of the listed topics are appropriate subjects for a Sprint Retrospective. The Scrum Guide states that during the Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regard to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done. The team then identifies improvements to increase quality and effectiveness.

Methods of communication are relevant because communication strongly affects collaboration and transparency. The way Sprint Planning is conducted is also valid to inspect if the team believes planning could be more effective. Skills needed to improve delivery are appropriate because a Scrum Team continuously seeks to become more capable and cross-functional. The Definition of Done is explicitly a valid retrospective topic because it may need refinement as the team matures and raises quality standards.

The Sprint Retrospective is the Scrum Team’s formal opportunity to inspect and adapt its ways of working. It is not limited to one narrow process area. Anything that affects the team’s effectiveness, quality, collaboration, or ability to deliver valuable Increments can be discussed, making “All of the above” the best answer.

A Product Owner releases each Increment when it makes sense, as stated in [2]: “The Product Owner decides when to release an Increment. This can be done at any time during or after a Sprint. The Product Owner may choose to release an Increment when it delivers enough value to customers or users, when it meets a market opportunity, when it reduces risk or uncertainty, or when it aligns with other business goals.”

The correct answers are A, B, and D, because these techniques would be most helpful in this situation. Consulting with the Development Team may help identify the root causes of the impediments and possible solutions. Prioritizing the list and working on them in order may help reduce the backlog and focus on the most important or urgent issues. Alerting management to the impediments and their impact may help escalate the problems and get support from the organization.

The two intended outcomes of the Daily Scrum are A and D.

A. Identification of impediments that may prevent the Developers from achieving the Sprint Goal.

The Daily Scrum is an opportunity for the Developers to inspect their progress toward the Sprint Goal and to identify any impediments or challenges that may hinder them from completing the work in the Sprint Backlog 1 . The Scrum Master can help the Developers remove these impediments or find ways to overcome them 2 .

D. A shared understanding of the most important work to be undertaken next to achieve the best possible progress toward the Sprint Goal.

The Daily Scrum is also an opportunity for the Developers to adapt their plan for the next 24 hours based on their current situation and the Sprint Goal 1 . 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 1 . This creates focus and improves self-management.

B, C, and E are not intended outcomes of the Daily Scrum.

B. An update of completed tasks and of the remaining work so the Scrum Master can plan the next day.

The Daily Scrum is not a status meeting or a report for the Scrum Master or anyone else 2 . The Developers are responsible for conducting and facilitating the Daily Scrum, not the Scrum Master 1 . The Scrum Master’s role is to ensure that the event happens, that it is positive and productive, and that it stays within the 15-minute timebox 2 .

C. An updated Scrum board to make Sprint progress transparent for the stakeholders.

The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Scrum Team, not for external stakeholders 1 . The Scrum board is a tool that can help the Developers visualize their work, but it is not an outcome of the Daily Scrum. The outcome of the Daily Scrum should be an updated Sprint Backlog and an updated Sprint plan to achieve the Sprint Goal 3 .

E. A status report for the upper management indicating what each individual has done, will be doing, and what is impeding him/her.

The Daily Scrum is not a status report for anyone, especially not for upper management 2 . The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect and adapt the work of the Developers, not to report on individual activities or performance 1 . The focus of the Daily Scrum should be on the collective work and progress of the Developers as a self-organizing team 2 .

Two techniques that would be most helpful in this situation are to discuss the impediments with the Development Team, and to prioritize the list and work on them in order, as stated in [3]: “The Scrum Master should facilitate a discussion with the Development Team to identify and prioritize the impediments that are blocking their progress. The Scrum Master should then work with the Development Team and other stakeholders to remove or mitigate these impediments as soon as possible.”

Scrum is not a process, technique, or definitive method. Rather, it is a framework within which you can employ various processes and techniques. Scrum makes clear the relative efficacy of your product management and work techniques so that you can continuously improve the product, the team, and the working environment.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , each event in Scrum is a formal opportunity to inspect and adapt something. These events are specifically designed to enable critical transparency and inspection. Failure to include any of these events results in reduced transparency and is a lost opportunity to inspect and adapt. 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.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , an Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each Increment is additive to all prior Increments and thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. In order to provide value, an Increment must be usable. Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint. The sum of the Increments is presented at the Sprint Review thus supporting empiricism. However, an Increment may be delivered to stakeholders prior to the end of the Sprint. The Sprint Review should never be considered a gate to releasing value. Therefore, the best description of an increment of working software is additional features in a usable state that complement those delivered in previous iterations.

According to the Scrum Guide 1 , ordering Product Backlog items is solely up to the Product Owner’s discretion. The Product Owner orders items in the Product Backlog to best achieve goals and missions. To do this, they optimize value by considering various factors such as cost and benefit, risk, dependencies, date needed, etc. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the work the Development Team does.

The best two answers are A and B. As a Scrum Team, prioritizing the list and working on them in order is a good technique to tackle the impediments. This way, the team can focus on the most urgent and important issues first and avoid being overwhelmed by the number of impediments. The Scrum Master discusses the impediments with the Scrum Team is also a helpful technique, as it allows the team to share their perspectives, identify the root causes, and come up with possible solutions. The Scrum Master can also coach the team on how to remove or prevent impediments in the future.

When many Development Teams are working on a single product, the definition of “Done” must be shared by all Development Teams and make their combined work potentially releasable, as stated in [4]: “When multiple teams wo rk together on one product they must mutually define and comply with the same Definition of Done. This makes sure all Increments adhere to a consistent quality level.”

The correct answer is C because the Daily Scrum is specifically an event for the Developers of the Scrum Team. According to the Scrum Guide, the Daily Scrum is held by the Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work. This makes the Developers the only people who must attend.

The Scrum Master’s responsibility is to ensure that the event takes place and that attendees understand its purpose, but the Scrum Master is not required to attend unless they are actively helping the Developers or are also participating as part of the team’s work. The Product Owner is also not required to attend. While either the Scrum Master or Product Owner may be present, the Daily Scrum remains a Developers’ event.

Options A, B, D, and E are incorrect because they include roles that are not mandatory participants. Scrum is careful about this distinction to preserve self-management and ensure the Developers own daily planning. The Daily Scrum is not a status meeting for management or other roles. It is a focused inspection-and-adaptation event for the Developers.

The timebox for the Sprint Review is four hours for a one-month Sprint, as stated in [4]: “The Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog if needed. During the event, the Scrum Team and stakeholders review what was accomplished in the Sprint and what has changed in their environment. Based on this information, attendees collaborate on what to do next. The Product Owner explains what Product Backlog items have been “Done” and what has not been “Done”; additionally, they discuss any changes to scope or budget or potential value. The entire group then collaborates on what to do next, so that the Sprint Review provides valuable input to subsequent Sprint Planning. The Sprint Review is a working session and attendees should inspect based on facts. A Sprint Review is held at the end of every Sprint for a maximum duration of four hours for a one-month Sprint.”

Several Sprints into a project, a key stakeholder begins using the product and finds the quality lacking. The Product Owner (PO) agrees and shares this concern with the Scrum Master (SM). The Scrum Master needs to determine the best way to respond.

Scrum emphasizes empiricism , which is based on transparency, inspection, and adaptation ​. This means that if quality concerns arise, the Scrum Team must inspect the issue, adapt accordingly, and ensure quality is built into the product incrementally.

✅ A. Encourage the Product Owner to include quality specifications in the Product Backlog and to communicate the stakeholders ' concerns to the Developers.

???? Reference from the Scrum Guide :

" 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 Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. " ​

???? Why is this Correct?

Since the Product Owner represents the stakeholders , they should translate the stakeholder’s concerns into actionable Product Backlog Items (PBIs) that reflect quality improvements.

Developers can refine and plan these PBIs in upcoming Sprints to ensure quality is systematically addressed.

The Product Backlog is the single source of work , meaning all quality requirements should be made explicit there.

This approach aligns with Scrum’s empirical process of making work transparent so that the team can inspect and adapt.

✅ C. Work with the Product Owner to understand their desired resolution and help formulate an approach for raising the concern with the Developers.

???? Reference from the Scrum Guide :

" The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner in several ways, including: Helping find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management. " ​

" The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including: Helping the Scrum Team focus on creating high-value Increments that meet the Definition of Done. " ​

???? Why is this Correct?

The Scrum Master is a servant leader , responsible for facilitating collaboration between the Product Owner and Developers so that the concern is effectively addressed.

Instead of dictating a solution, the Scrum Master guides discussions and enables the team to decide how best to improve quality.

The Definition of Done (DoD) should be reviewed to ensure it is clear, measurable, and includes quality standards ​.

This approach ensures that all stakeholders—Developers, Product Owner, and Scrum Master— collaborate in a self-managing way to improve quality.

Incorrect Answers with Explanations

❌ B. Bring the concern to the testers to improve how the Product is verified.

???? Reference from the Scrum Guide :

" Developers are always accountable for: Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done. " ​

???? Why is this Incorrect?

Scrum does not have a separate testing team ; instead, the Developers are responsible for all aspects of quality (coding, testing, integration, etc.).

Quality should not be " verified " by an external group; rather, it must be built into the Increment from the start .

Instead of passing the issue to testers, the Scrum Team should improve their Definition of Done to ensure the product meets the necessary quality standards.

❌ D. Tell the Product Owner they have noted the concern and will raise this issue at the Sprint Retrospective.

???? Reference from the Scrum Guide :

" The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. " ​

???? Why is this Incorrect?

While the Sprint Retrospective is useful for discussing improvements , waiting until the Retrospective delays the resolution of a critical issue.

The Scrum Team should act immediately by addressing quality issues in the Product Backlog and adapting their work in upcoming Sprints.

Transparency and fast feedback are key principles in Scrum— delaying discussions goes against empiricism .

❌ E. Explain to the Product Owner that it is up to the Developers to decide on acceptable quality standards.

???? Reference from the Scrum Guide :

" The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. " ​

" If the Definition of Done for an increment is part of the standards of the organization, all Scrum Teams must follow it as a minimum. " ​

???? Why is this Incorrect?

While the Developers are responsible for meeting the Definition of Done , quality is a shared responsibility across the Scrum Team .

The Product Owner must ensure that the product delivers value to stakeholders , which includes meeting their quality expectations.

Ignoring the Product Owner’s concerns contradicts Scrum’s emphasis on collaboration and transparency.

The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. The topics that are appropriate for discussion are those that relate to how the team does its work, such as processes, tools, communication, collaboration, quality, etc. The value of work currently represented in the Product Backlog and arranging the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint are not appropriate topics for discussion in a Sprint Retrospective, as they belong to the Sprint Review and Sprint Planning events respectively.

According to the Scrum Guide, the Developers are accountable for tracking the remaining work toward the Sprint Goal, as they are responsible for creating a valuable Increment that meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal. The other options are not valid, as they imply that someone else outside the Development Team (such as the Scrum Master, the Product Owner, or the Project Manager) is accountable for tracking the remaining work, which is not consistent with Scrum values and principles.

The correct answers are B, E, and F, because these activities would probably help the team in starting up. Having the Scrum Team members introduce themselves and give a brief background of their skills and work history helps build trust and rapport among them. Ensuring the team understands they need a definition of “Done” helps create transparency and alignment on the quality standards for the product. Asking the Product Owner to discuss the product or project, its history, goals, and context, as well as answer questions helps clarify the vision and value of the product.

The correct answers are B and E, because Scrum has no “tester” role and everyone in the Development Team is responsible for quality. The Scrum Guide states that “the Development Team consists of professionals who do the work of delivering a potentially releasable Increment of ‘Done’ product at the end of each Sprint. Development Teams are structured and empowered by the organization to organize and manage their own work. The resulting synergy optimizes the Development Team’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.”

The best answers are A, C, and E. The Definition of Done creates transparency by making everyone understand what it means for work to be complete. That makes Option C correct. It also creates a shared understanding of completion, which makes Option E correct. This is essential in Scrum because inspection is only meaningful when there is clarity about whether a Product Backlog item or Increment is actually done.

Option A is also correct because the Definition of Done helps Developers determine how much work they can realistically select during Sprint Planning. If the team understands the full quality criteria required for completion, they can make better decisions about how many Product Backlog items fit within the Sprint.

Option B is incorrect because Scrum does not support “mostly done.” Work is either done according to the Definition of Done or it is not done. Option D is incorrect because the Definition of Done does not describe Scrum events. It applies to the Increment and defines the quality measures required for completeness.

In Scrum, the Definition of Done is a critical tool for quality, transparency, and forecasting realistic Sprint scope.

The best answer is C. Ensure every Increment meets them.  Non-functional requirements (NFRs) are system qualities that guide the design of the solution and often serve as constraints across the relevant backlogs 1 .  NFRs are persistent qualities and constraints typically revisited as part of the definition of done (DoD) for each Iteration, PI, or release 1 . The Scrum Team should ensure that every Increment meets the NFRs, as they are part of the product requirements and affect the value delivery and customer satisfaction.

The correct answers are B, C, and D, because moving away from component teams toward feature teams may involve some challenges and trade-offs. Productivity may suffer when making this kind of move, as teams need to learn new skills, coordinate with other teams, and deal with legacy code. Getting support from the business side first helps, as they can provide the vision, value, and feedback for the features. Feature teams have less communication overhead, as they can deliver end-to-end functionality without depending on other teams.

The correct answer is D, because there is no gap between Sprints in Scrum. The Scrum Guide states that “a new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.” Therefore, there is no time required after a Sprint to prepare for the next Sprint.

The correct answer is C, because when a Development Team is having trouble delivering a working Increment because they don’t understand a functional requirement, they should collaborate with the Product Owner to determine what is possible and acceptable. The Scrum Guide states that “the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from work of the Development Team. How this is done may vary widely across organizations, Scrum Teams, and individuals.” Therefore, the Product Owner should clarify the functional requirement and negotiate the scope of work with the Development Team.

 According to the Scrum Guide, changing the terminology of Scrum may have negative consequences, such as losing the benefits of Scrum, not understanding what has changed, or having very little change at all. Therefore, all answers apply to this question. The Scrum Guide recommends using the same terminology as in the guide to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.

All of the above topics should be discussed in the Sprint Review, as stated in [4]: " The purpose of this meeting is to inspect what was delivered during this sprint and adapt what we want to deliver next. This means we will discuss three things:

What did we do this sprint?

How did we do it?

What do we want to do next? "

The correct answer is A, because Development Team membership should change as needed, while taking into account a short term reduction in productivity. The Scrum Guide states that “development Teams are cross-functional, with all of the skills as a team necessary to create a product Increment; development Teams are self-organizing. No one (not even the Scrum Master) tells the Development Team how to turn Product Backlog into Increments of potentially releasable functionality.” Therefore, changing Development Team membership may affect their cross-functionality and self-organization in the short term.

According to the Scrum framework, the Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog, which includes prioritizing and adding new items1. However, when a new item is introduced during a Sprint, it is crucial to involve the entire Scrum Team in the decision-making process. This ensures that the team can assess the impact of the new item on the current Sprint goals, capacity, and workload1. By discussing the item with the team, they can collectively decide whether to include it in the current Sprint, defer it to a future Sprint, or handle it in another way1. This collaborative approach aligns with the principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation, which are core to Scrum.

The correct answer is B, because the Scrum Guide states that “the Sprint Goal is an objective set for the Sprint that can be met through the implementation of Product Backlog. It provides guidance to the Development Team on why it is building the Increment.” Therefore, the Sprint Goal provides the Development Team with a target and overarching direction for the Sprint.

According to the Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide 1 .  Scrum Masters do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values 1 .  The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum 2 .  They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization while serving the Scrum Team as well as the larger organization 2 .

Option B is incorrect because keeping track of resource allocation is not a responsibility of the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master does not manage or control the resources of the Scrum Team or the organization.  The Scrum Team is self-organizing and responsible for managing its own work within a Sprint 1 .

Option C is incorrect because managing the performance of the Scrum Team is not a responsibility of the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master does not evaluate or appraise the performance of the Development Team or the Product Owner.  The Scrum Master serves the Development Team by coaching them on self-organization and cross-functionality, and serves the Product Owner by ensuring that goals, scope, and product domain are understood by everyone on the Scrum Team 1 .

Option D is incorrect because the meetings and the objectives that a Scrum Team sets for itself are not a responsibility of the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master does not dictate or prescribe what meetings or objectives a Scrum Team should have.  The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum Events as requested or needed, and ensures that they are positive, productive, and kept within the time-box 1 .