Who owns the Sprint Backlog? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
D
According to Scrum.org, the Developers own the Sprint Backlog12. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers1. 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 Goal1. Consequently, the Sprint Backlog is updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned1.
Which topics should be discussed in the Sprint Review? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
C
The main topic of discussion is the product Increment, which is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints1. The product Increment is demonstrated and inspected by the attendees, and feedback is collected to inform the next Sprint Planning12. The Sprint Review may also include other topics, such as the Product Backlog, the Product Goal, the market conditions, the budget, and the timeline, but the product Increment is the essential topic1234. The Scrum process, and how it was used during the Sprint, is not a topic for the Sprint Review, but rather for the Sprint Retrospective, which is a separate event where the Scrum Team inspects and adapts its way of working1. Coding and engineering practices are also not relevant for the Sprint Review, as they are internal aspects of the Development Team that do not affect the value of the product Increment1. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The product Increment.
Who determines when it is appropriate to update the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
C
✑ 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. The Sprint Backlog is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint, and it belongs solely to the Developers.
✑ The Developers are accountable for creating a “Done” Increment that meets the Definition of Done each Sprint. The Developers are responsible for planning and executing the Sprint Backlog, designing and building the product functionality, testing and improving the product quality, and delivering a potentially releasable Increment. The Developers work closely with the Product Owner to understand and clarify the Product Backlog items, provide feedback and estimates, and suggest improvements and innovations.
✑ The Developers are also responsible for updating the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a plan with enough detail that changes in progress can be understood in the Daily Scrum. The Developers modify the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint, and the Sprint Backlog emerges during the Sprint. This emergence occurs as the Developers work through the plan and learn more about the work needed to achieve the Sprint Goal.
✑ As new work is required, the Developers add it to the Sprint Backlog. As work is performed or completed, the estimated remaining work is updated. When elements of the plan are deemed unnecessary, they are removed. Only the Developers can change its content and order during a Sprint.
References:
✑ Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
✑ Sprint Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-backlog
✑ Developers: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-developer-in-scrum
What is a Product Owner typically responsible for during a Sprint? (choose the best two answers)
Correct Answer:
BD
✑ The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
✑ A Sprint is a timebox of one month or less within which a “Done” product Increment is created. A Sprint consists of the Sprint Planning, Daily Scrums, the development work, the Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective. A Sprint is also a feedback loop that allows the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to inspect and adapt the product and the process.
✑ During a Sprint, a Product Owner is typically responsible for:
✑ The other options are not valid or relevant responsibilities of a Product Owner during a Sprint. They are either too administrative, micromanaging, or unrelated to the product value delivery. They are:
References:
✑ Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
✑ Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
✑ Sprint: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-in-scrum
✑ Stakeholders: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/stakeholders
✑ Daily Scrum: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-daily-scrum
True or False: Cross-functional teams are optimized to work on one component or layer of a system only.
Correct Answer:
B
Cross-functional teams are not optimized to work on one component or layer of a system only. This is because:
✑ Cross-functional teams are teams that have all the skills and competencies needed to accomplish the work without depending on others who are not part of the team.
✑ Cross-functional teams are able to deliver value across the entire product, rather than focusing on a specific component or layer. They can work on any aspect of the product that is needed to achieve the Sprint Goal and the Product Goal.
✑ Cross-functional teams are more agile, collaborative, and creative than teams that are specialized or siloed. They can reduce dependencies, handoffs, and delays, and increase feedback, learning, and adaptation.
References:
✑ [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “Developers”
✑ [Scrum Guide], page 10, section “Product Goal”
✑ [Scrum Guide], page 7, section “The Scrum Team”