Let's break down why the correct answer isCand why the others are incorrect, referencing the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II (PSPO II) objectives and associated competencies:

C. The Scrum Team is more focused through a common yet specific goal.

Verification:This is thecorrectanswer and aligns perfectly with the purpose of a Sprint Goal as defined in the Scrum Guide and emphasized within the PSPO II competencies.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

The Sprint Goal promotestransparencywithin the team about what they are trying to achieve during the Sprint.

It provides a basis forinspectionduring the Sprint, allowing the team to adapt their plans based on progress toward the Sprint Goal.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Forecasting & Release Planning

The Sprint Goal helps the team focus on achieving a specific, valuable outcome each Sprint.

It provides a basis for forecasting what can be achieved in the Sprint.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Value

The Sprint Goal should be aligned with maximizing product value, providing a clear link between the work done in the Sprint and the overall product vision.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide states, "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 Developers1on why it is building the Increment.2[...] During Sprint Planning the Scrum Team also crafts a Sprint Goal. The Sprint Goal is an objective set for the Sprint that can be met through the implementation of Product Backlog."3This clearly emphasizes that the Sprint Goal provides focus and guidance.  

A. A Sprint Goal ensures that all the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint are implemented.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

Scrum acknowledges that the plan for the Sprint (what Product Backlog items are chosen) may change as the team learns more during the Sprint.

The Sprint Goal is the commitment, and while the team strives to complete the selected Product Backlog items, the primary focus is on achieving the Sprint Goal, even if it means adapting the plan.

Scrum Guide:While the selected Product Backlog items are the initial plan, the Scrum Guide states, "The selected Product Backlog items deliver one coherent function, which can be the Sprint Goal." This implies that the focus is on the coherent function (represented by the Sprint Goal), not necessarily the completion of every single Product Backlog item.

B. A Sprint Goal only gives purpose to Sprint 1.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Forecasting & Release Planning

Every Sprint should have a Sprint Goal, providing ongoing direction and focus for the team.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide explicitly states that a Sprint Goal is crafted during Sprint Planning, implying that it's a necessary component of every Sprint, not just Sprint 1.

D. Sprint Goals are not valuable. Everything is known from the Product Backlog.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Value

Sprint Goals are crucial for maximizing product value by providing focus and ensuring the team is working on the most important aspectsin each Sprint.

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

The Sprint Goal provides context and purpose beyond the individual Product Backlog items. It helps the team understand the "why" behind the work.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide's emphasis on the Sprint Goal throughout the Sprint lifecycle (planning, daily Scrum, review, retrospective) demonstrates its importance.

In conclusion, the Sprint Goal serves as a unifying and focusing mechanism for the Scrum Team, promoting commitment to a specific outcome within each Sprint and is, therefore, a crucial element for successful Scrum implementation, aligning perfectly with the PSPO II competencies and the Scrum Guide.