Pass the Scrum Alliance Scrum Master CSM Questions and answers with CertsForce

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.

TheScrum Masteris accountable for ensuring Scrum is understood and enacted. They are responsible for coaching the Scrum Team and the organization in adopting Scrum practices and principles. The Scrum Master acts as a servant leader, guiding the team and stakeholders in understanding and applying Scrum effectively to deliver value.

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

Establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.

Helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice.

Removing impediments and fostering an environment where Scrum can thrive.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Developers:Developers are accountable for creating the Increment but not for ensuring Scrum is understood across the organization.

B. Product Owner:The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring value delivery, not for ensuring Scrum adoption.

D. Project Sponsor:There is no role of "Project Sponsor" in Scrum.

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.

TheScrum Mastershould coach the Developers byexplaining the intent of the Daily Scrum, which is toinspect progress toward the Sprint Goaland adapt the plan as needed. The Daily Scrum is not a status update meeting—it is a collaborative event for the Developers to synchronize their efforts, share progress, and discuss any impediments.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Daily Scrum is a15-minute eventwhere the Developers inspect their progress and adapt their plan to achieve the Sprint Goal.

The event belongs to the Developers, and they decide how to structure it, but its purpose must align with the framework’s guidance.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Cancel the Daily Scrum and have status update meetings instead:Status update meetings go against Scrum principles, which emphasize team ownership and collaboration.

C. Reduce the occurrence for this meeting to once a week:The Daily Scrum is adailyevent for inspection and adaptation; reducing its frequency would hinder the team’s ability to remain aligned.

D. Make Daily Scrum an optional meeting for the Developers to attend:The Daily Scrum is mandatory for the Developers to inspect and adapt their plan, and making it optional undermines its importance.

Scrum teams plan workone Sprint at a time, using theSprint Planning eventto adapt the Sprint Backlog based on what was learned in previous Sprints. This approach aligns with Scrum'sempirical process control, which relies on inspection and adaptation to plan effectively.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

Sprint Planning creates aSprint Backlog, which includes the Sprint Goal, selected Product Backlog items, and the plan to deliver them.

Teams adjust their plans Sprint by Sprint, responding to new information, feedback, and changing circumstances.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. One release at a time, adjusting the number of Sprints to the prior releases’ average velocity:Scrum does not prescribe release-driven planning or adjusting Sprint duration based on velocity.

C. One project at a time, adjusting each Sprint Backlog Item to meet the release date negotiated at inception:Scrum encourages iterative planning within Sprints, not fixed plans tied to predetermined release dates.

D. One Sprint at a time in the Product Backlog Refinement meeting with participation of stakeholders:Product Backlog Refinement is an ongoing activity, not a Sprint planning process. Stakeholders typically participate in Sprint Reviews, not in backlog refinement.

One of the primary services a Scrum Master provides to the Scrum Team isremoving impedimentsto the team’s progress. By doing so, the Scrum Master ensures that the team can work without unnecessary disruptions and remain focused on achieving the Sprint Goal.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including:

Coaching the team in self-management and cross-functionality.

Helping the team focus on creating high-value Increments.

Removing impediments to the team’s progress.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Prioritize the Sprint Backlog:This is the Product Owner's responsibility as part of Product Backlog management.

B. Develop a release plan:Scrum does not require a release plan, and if it is needed, the Product Owner leads this activity with input from the Developers.

C. Manage the Product Backlog:Managing the Product Backlog is the Product Owner's accountability, not the Scrum Master's.

TheProduct Ownerhas the final authority toorder the Product Backlogto maximize value. They are responsible for ensuring that the most valuable and important work is prioritized so that the Scrum Team delivers maximum value in each Sprint.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Product Owner is accountable formanaging the Product Backlog, which includes ordering items to best achieve the Product Goal.

While the Developers may provide input, the final decision on ordering lies with the Product Owner.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Lead Developer:Scrum does not have a "Lead Developer" role or accountability.

B. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates and coaches but does not manage or order the Product Backlog.

D. Developers:While Developers provide input during refinement and Sprint Planning, they do not have the authority to order the Product Backlog.

The Scrum Master is aservant leader, focused on enabling the Scrum Team to work effectively. By taking action to resolve the Developer's impediment (lack of hardware), the Scrum Masterdemonstratesleadershipby facilitating the team’s progress and ensuring they can meet the Sprint Goal.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team by:

Removing Impediments: Resolving obstacles that block the team’s progress is a key responsibility of the Scrum Master.

Supporting Team Effectiveness: By addressing issues outside the team’s control, the Scrum Master ensures that the Developers can focus on their work.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Disciplinarian:A Scrum Master does not enforce rules or discipline team members. They lead by fostering collaboration and resolving issues, not by control.

B. Project Manager:Scrum Masters do not perform traditional project management tasks like resource allocation or task assignment. Their role is to serve and support the team rather than manage it.

C. Authoritarian:The Scrum Master is not an authoritarian leader. Their approach is grounded in servant leadership, enabling and empowering the team rather than commanding it.

TheProduct Owneris accountable for ordering theProduct Backlog. This responsibility includes prioritizing items to maximize the value of the product and ensuring that the most important work is addressed first.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Product Owner is responsible formanaging the Product Backlog, which includesorderingthe Product Backlog items to achieve the Product Goal effectively.

The Product Owner works collaboratively with stakeholders, the Scrum Team, and other involved parties to understand priorities, but the final decision on ordering rests solely with them.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates and coaches the team but does not manage or order the Product Backlog.

B. Stakeholders:Stakeholders provide input and feedback, but they do not have the authority to order the Product Backlog.

D. Developers:Developers collaborate with the Product Owner to clarify and refine items but do not make decisions about ordering the backlog.

The Scrum Master serves not only theScrum Teambut also thelarger organizationby ensuring that Scrum is understood and enacted effectively. This aligns with the Scrum Master’s role as aservant leaderand a facilitator of organizational agility.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves:

The Scrum Team: By coaching team members, removing impediments, and ensuring Scrum events are productive and timeboxed.

The Product Owner: By helping with effective Product Backlog management and stakeholder collaboration.

The Organization: By leading Scrum adoption, coaching employees and stakeholders, and removing systemic barriers.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. The Scrum Team only:While serving the Scrum Team is a key part of the Scrum Master’s role, they also serve the organization and the Product Owner.

B. The management:The Scrum Master works with management but does not exclusively serve them. Their focus is on enabling Scrum practices across the organization.

C. No one:This is incorrect as the Scrum Master’s role is fundamentally about serving and supporting others.