Scrum Professional Scrum Master level III (PSM III) - PSM-III Exam Practice Test
A Scrum Master is working with a Development Team that has members in different physical locations.
Development Team meets in a variety of meeting rooms and has much to do logistically (for example, setup conference calls) before the Daily Scrum. What action should be Scrum Master take?
Development Team meets in a variety of meeting rooms and has much to do logistically (for example, setup conference calls) before the Daily Scrum. What action should be Scrum Master take?
Correct Answer:
When a Development Team is distributed across different physical locations and faces logistical overhead just to start theDaily Scrum, this situation represents animpediment to effective inspection and adaptation. As a Scrum Master, the appropriate action is toenable the team to inspect and adapt more effectively, not to control or manage logistics on their behalf.
1. Help the Team Establish a Stable and Simple Daily Scrum Setup
The Scrum Master should work with the Development Team toinspect and improve how the Daily Scrum is conducted. This may include:
* Agreeing on afixed time and virtual location,
* Standardizing tools (e.g., always the same conferencing solution),
* Reducing setup effort so the event can start on time and remain within its 15-minute timebox.
This supports transparency and reduces unnecessary waste.
2. Remove or Reduce Organizational and Technical Impediments
If logistical difficulties stem from organizational constraints-such as lack of proper tooling, inadequate rooms, or unreliable communication infrastructure-the Scrum Master shouldaddress these as impediments.
This may involve working with IT or management to provide stable tools that enable smooth collaboration.
3. Coach the Team Toward Self-Management
Rather than running the Daily Scrum or handling logistics personally, the Scrum Master shouldcoach the Developers to self-managehow they organize the event. The goal is for the team to own and continuously improve the Daily Scrum in a way that fits their distributed context.
1. Help the Team Establish a Stable and Simple Daily Scrum Setup
The Scrum Master should work with the Development Team toinspect and improve how the Daily Scrum is conducted. This may include:
* Agreeing on afixed time and virtual location,
* Standardizing tools (e.g., always the same conferencing solution),
* Reducing setup effort so the event can start on time and remain within its 15-minute timebox.
This supports transparency and reduces unnecessary waste.
2. Remove or Reduce Organizational and Technical Impediments
If logistical difficulties stem from organizational constraints-such as lack of proper tooling, inadequate rooms, or unreliable communication infrastructure-the Scrum Master shouldaddress these as impediments.
This may involve working with IT or management to provide stable tools that enable smooth collaboration.
3. Coach the Team Toward Self-Management
Rather than running the Daily Scrum or handling logistics personally, the Scrum Master shouldcoach the Developers to self-managehow they organize the event. The goal is for the team to own and continuously improve the Daily Scrum in a way that fits their distributed context.
Someone from the HR department approaches you. They regret to inform you that the Product Owner for your team isabsent starting today and will be unavailable for the rest of this sprint. The Product Owner might be back at work somewhereduring the next sprint, but it's all unknown at this point. What should the Scrum team do?
Correct Answer:
When the Product Owner becomes unexpectedly unavailable, the Scrum Team must respond in a way that preservescontinuity, transparency, and value delivery, while respecting Scrum accountabilities.
Short-Term Response
In theshort term, covering the current Sprint and possibly the next Sprint, the Scrum Team should be able to continueworking. Scrum is designed to be resilient to short-term disruptions. The team can proceed by relying on:
* TheProduct Visionpreviously communicated by the Product Owner,
* Thecurrent state and ordering of the Product Backlog, which should already reflect the Product Owner's value decisions.
During this period, the Developers continue to work toward the Sprint Goal, and the Scrum Master ensures that Scrum events take place and remain productive. No one should assume the Product Owner role informally, as this would undermine accountability.
Longer-Term Impact
If the Product Owner's absence extends beyond a short period, it becomes animpedimentto the Scrum Team.
The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing product value and managing the Product Backlog.
Prolonged absence prevents effective backlog ordering, stakeholder collaboration, and value-based decision- making.
In this case, theScrum Master must make the impediment visible to the organization. This includes explaining the impact on value delivery and helping leadership understand the need for a clear Product Owner accountability. The organization should thenappoint a new Product Ownerto ensure continuity of decision- making and accountability.
Short-Term Response
In theshort term, covering the current Sprint and possibly the next Sprint, the Scrum Team should be able to continueworking. Scrum is designed to be resilient to short-term disruptions. The team can proceed by relying on:
* TheProduct Visionpreviously communicated by the Product Owner,
* Thecurrent state and ordering of the Product Backlog, which should already reflect the Product Owner's value decisions.
During this period, the Developers continue to work toward the Sprint Goal, and the Scrum Master ensures that Scrum events take place and remain productive. No one should assume the Product Owner role informally, as this would undermine accountability.
Longer-Term Impact
If the Product Owner's absence extends beyond a short period, it becomes animpedimentto the Scrum Team.
The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing product value and managing the Product Backlog.
Prolonged absence prevents effective backlog ordering, stakeholder collaboration, and value-based decision- making.
In this case, theScrum Master must make the impediment visible to the organization. This includes explaining the impact on value delivery and helping leadership understand the need for a clear Product Owner accountability. The organization should thenappoint a new Product Ownerto ensure continuity of decision- making and accountability.
Every Sprint has a Sprint Review. What is the purpose and result of this event?
Correct Answer:
TheSprint Reviewis a formal Scrum Event held at the end of each Sprint toinspect the outcome of the Sprint andadapt the Product Backlogif needed. Its primary purpose is to enable empirical decision-making by involving both theScrum Team and stakeholdersin inspecting the product and determining what to do next.
Purpose of the Sprint Review
The main purpose of the Sprint Review is toinspect the "Done" Product Incrementin the context of overall product progress. During this event:
* The Scrum Team presents the Increment that meets the Definition of Done.
* The Developers explain what was delivered, what was not delivered, and the challenges encountered.
* Stakeholders activelyinspect the product, often by using it, rather than reviewing documents or reports.
This inspection provides real, hands-on feedback and creates a shared understanding of the current state of the product and its direction.
Result of the Sprint Review
The Sprint Review results inheightened transparencyfor all participants. By jointly inspecting the Increment, new insights emerge about customer needs, market conditions, risks, and opportunities. These insights inform conversations aboutwhat is needed next.
Based on this shared understanding:
* TheProduct Owner collaborates with stakeholders and the Scrum Teamto adapt and update the Product Backlog.
* Completed work is accepted or further work is identified.
* New Product Backlog Items may be added, reordered, or refined to reflect the latest understanding of the product.
The Sprint Review does not aim to approve or reject work formally, but to enable learning and adaptation.
Purpose of the Sprint Review
The main purpose of the Sprint Review is toinspect the "Done" Product Incrementin the context of overall product progress. During this event:
* The Scrum Team presents the Increment that meets the Definition of Done.
* The Developers explain what was delivered, what was not delivered, and the challenges encountered.
* Stakeholders activelyinspect the product, often by using it, rather than reviewing documents or reports.
This inspection provides real, hands-on feedback and creates a shared understanding of the current state of the product and its direction.
Result of the Sprint Review
The Sprint Review results inheightened transparencyfor all participants. By jointly inspecting the Increment, new insights emerge about customer needs, market conditions, risks, and opportunities. These insights inform conversations aboutwhat is needed next.
Based on this shared understanding:
* TheProduct Owner collaborates with stakeholders and the Scrum Teamto adapt and update the Product Backlog.
* Completed work is accepted or further work is identified.
* New Product Backlog Items may be added, reordered, or refined to reflect the latest understanding of the product.
The Sprint Review does not aim to approve or reject work formally, but to enable learning and adaptation.
A Scrum Team has been working on a product for nine Sprints. A new Product Owner comes in, understanding he is accountable for the Product Backlog. However, he is unsure about his responsibilities.
Which two activities are part of the Product Owner role according to Scrum?
Which two activities are part of the Product Owner role according to Scrum?
Correct Answer:
According to Scrum, theProduct Owneris accountable formaximizing the value of the productand for effectiveProduct Backlog management. Two key activities that are explicitly part of this role are:
1. Ordering the Product Backlog to Maximize Value
The Product Owner is responsible forordering the Product Backlogso that the most valuable work is done first. This ordering reflects:
* Business and customer value,
* Risk and uncertainty,
* Strategic goals and learning from previous Sprints.
Through this activity, the Product Owner ensures that the Scrum Team is always working on what matters most.
2. Ensuring Product Backlog Items Are Transparent, Clear, and Understood The Product Owner ensures that Product Backlog Items are:
* Clearly expressed,
* Transparent to the Scrum Team and stakeholders,
* Understood well enough for Developers to select them during Sprint Planning.
This does not mean writing detailed requirements alone, butcollaboratingso that shared understanding exists.
1. Ordering the Product Backlog to Maximize Value
The Product Owner is responsible forordering the Product Backlogso that the most valuable work is done first. This ordering reflects:
* Business and customer value,
* Risk and uncertainty,
* Strategic goals and learning from previous Sprints.
Through this activity, the Product Owner ensures that the Scrum Team is always working on what matters most.
2. Ensuring Product Backlog Items Are Transparent, Clear, and Understood The Product Owner ensures that Product Backlog Items are:
* Clearly expressed,
* Transparent to the Scrum Team and stakeholders,
* Understood well enough for Developers to select them during Sprint Planning.
This does not mean writing detailed requirements alone, butcollaboratingso that shared understanding exists.