Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) flashcards

The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum Team's continuous improvement by encouraging inspection and adaptation of their processes, tools, and relationships, preventing complacency and fostering ongoing growth.

• Promotes a culture of learning and experimentation.
• Leverages the Sprint Retrospective for process improvements.
• Challenges the status quo for better outcomes.

Memory trick: Complacency is a quiet killer; the Retrospective is its thrill-seeker.

Adaptation involves adjusting the process or product as soon as possible to minimize further deviation, based on the results of inspection.

• Reacts to discovered deviations.
• Minimizes future risks and waste.
• Requires courage and commitment to change.

Memory trick: TIA: Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation

The Scrum Master facilitates the Sprint Review to ensure active participation from the entire Scrum Team and stakeholders, fostering transparency and collaborative feedback on the Increment.

• Developers should present the results of their work.
• Encourages direct engagement between Developers and stakeholders.
• Promotes shared ownership of the Increment and feedback.

Memory trick: A Sprint Review is a team show, not a solo flow.

Scrum manages uncertainty by embracing iterative and incremental development, allowing for continuous learning and adaptation to new information.

• Reduces unknowns through frequent inspection and adaptation.
• Small increments provide early feedback and insights.
• Essential for products with evolving requirements or new technologies.

Memory trick: Navigate fog with small steps and frequent checks.

A cross-functional Scrum Team possesses all the skills needed to create value each Sprint, including the ability to integrate their work continuously to produce a 'Done' Increment.

• Reduces dependencies and hand-offs.
• Enables continuous integration and early feedback.
• Promotes shared ownership for the 'Done' Increment.

Memory trick: Cross-functional teams don't just build parts, they build a 'Done' whole.

The uncontrolled expansion of a project's scope without adjustments to time, cost, or resources. Often results from continuous addition of new features or requirements.

• Leads to project delays and cost overruns.
• Undermines effective planning and forecasting.
• Can be mitigated by careful backlog management and clear scope boundaries.

Memory trick: Uncontrolled scope leads to project dismay.

Actively seek to gain knowledge and understanding through experimentation, feedback, and shared insights to improve decision-making and product development.

• Fosters continuous improvement.
• Encourages experimentation and feedback.
• Promotes shared understanding.
• Reduces waste from incorrect assumptions.

Memory trick: Learn constantly, deliver quickly, eliminate waste, build quality, decide late, empower teams, optimize the whole.

Identify and remove any activities, processes, or outputs that do not add value for the customer.

• Promotes efficiency and value delivery.
• Includes waste from overproduction, waiting, defects, etc.
• Essential for continuous improvement.

Memory trick: Value Flow Pull Amplify Decide Optimize Build

Scrum Team members have the courage to do the right thing, to work on tough problems, and to try new approaches.

• Enables tackling difficult challenges.
• Supports transparency and adaptation.
• Essential for continuous improvement and innovation.

Memory trick: CRFOO: Committed, Respectful, Focused, Open, Courageous

The principle of optimizing the whole emphasizes focusing on the entire value stream and system, rather than optimizing individual parts in isolation.

• Prevents local optimizations that harm the overall system.
• Requires understanding interdependencies.
• Aims for system-level efficiency and value delivery.

Memory trick: VDDE: Value, Flow, Pull, Perfection. Plus: Eliminate Waste, Amplify Learning, Decide Late, Deliver Fast, Optimize Whole – 'V-D-D-E' is how Lean grows!

Scrum thrives in complexity by using an iterative, incremental, and empirical approach, embracing emergent design rather than detailed upfront planning.

• Complexity requires empiricism.
• Solutions emerge over time.
• Avoids detailed upfront planning.
• Feedback loops are crucial.

Memory trick: Navigate complexity with small steps, constant checks, and flexible plans.

The process of tracking identified risks, monitoring residual risks, identifying new risks, and evaluating the effectiveness of risk response plans throughout the project.

• Continuous process, often integrated into daily work.
• Requires open communication and visibility.
• Aims to ensure risks are managed proactively.

Memory trick: ID Analyze Plan Monitor

The process of developing options and actions to enhance opportunities and reduce threats to project objectives.

• Develops strategies for risks.
• Includes avoidance, mitigation, acceptance, transfer.
• Aims to handle risks proactively.
• Crucial for stability in dynamic environments.

Memory trick: Identify, analyze, plan for, and monitor risks to keep the path clear.

Working Agreements are a set of explicit guidelines that a Scrum Team creates and agrees upon to define how they will work together, communicate, and resolve conflicts.

• Owned and created by the Scrum Team.
• Covers collaboration, communication, and decision-making.
• Helps foster self-management and reduce internal conflict.

Memory trick: Agreements are the Key, for Team Harmony to be.

A state where cause-and-effect relationships are largely unknown and only become apparent in retrospect. Requires experimentation and emergent solutions rather than predefined plans.

• Characterized by high uncertainty and unpredictability.
• Scrum is designed to thrive in complex environments.
• Requires frequent inspection and adaptation.

Memory trick: Complex means you learn as you go, no clear path.

Delay irreversible decisions until the last responsible moment to maximize knowledge, reduce uncertainty, and allow for adaptation to new information.

• Maximizes options and flexibility.
• Reduces risk by gathering more information.
• Avoids premature commitments.
• Supports adaptability in complex environments.

Memory trick: Deliver value, respect people, decide late, eliminate waste, optimize whole, build quality, amplify learning.

The Scrum Master helps the Scrum Team and the organization understand and effectively engage with stakeholders, fostering transparency and collaboration to ensure product success and alignment.

• Facilitates communication between the team and stakeholders.
• Helps manage expectations and build trust.
• Supports the Product Owner in stakeholder collaboration.

Memory trick: Stakeholders need a transparent window, not a wall.

The Scrum Master facilitates Sprint Retrospectives to empower the Scrum Team to identify, discuss, and implement improvements to their process, fostering their ability to self-manage their continuous improvement.

• Encourages transparency and inspection.
• Helps the team own their improvement actions.
• Ensures a safe environment for open discussion.

Memory trick: A silent retrospective needs a coach's touch, not a dictator's clutch.

Transparency ensures that the emergent process and the work being performed are visible to both those performing the work and those receiving the work. With Scrum, important decisions are based on the perceived state of its three formal artifacts.

• Ensures visibility for all stakeholders.
• Decisions are based on shared understanding.
• Relates to product, process, and progress visibility.

Memory trick: Transparent views make product paths clear for all.

The Scrum Master helps the Scrum Team navigate and resolve conflicts constructively by promoting open communication, respectful dialogue, and adherence to Scrum Values and working agreements.

• Acts as a neutral facilitator.
• Guides the team to find their own solutions.
• Protects the psychological safety of the team.

Memory trick: When conflict sizzles, the Scrum Master reminds of agreements, like a referee with rules.

Risk Monitoring and Control involves tracking identified risks, identifying new risks, executing risk response plans, and evaluating their effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle.

• Continuous process of observing and adjusting.
• Ensures risk responses are implemented and effective.
• Includes re-evaluating risks and identifying new ones.

Memory trick: I-A-R-M: Identify, Analyze, Respond, Monitor – I Always Remember Risks!

A state where future outcomes, requirements, or solutions are not clearly known or predictable.

• Common in product development, especially innovative products.
• Scrum's empirical approach (inspect and adapt) is well-suited for uncertainty.
• Requires flexibility and continuous learning.

Memory trick: When the path is hazy, uncertainty is crazy.

Self-managing teams in Scrum choose how best to accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the team. They decide who does what, when, and how, focusing on achieving the Sprint Goal.

• Responsible for planning, executing, and inspecting their work.
• Decide on the best way to achieve the Sprint Goal.
• Empowered to make decisions within their accountability.

Memory trick: Give them the rudder, not the destination for 'self-management'.

Cross-functional collaboration in Scrum means Developers work together across their diverse skill sets to deliver a 'Done' Increment, rather than working in silos on individual tasks.

• Essential for achieving the Sprint Goal.
• Reduces dependencies and bottlenecks.
• Promotes shared ownership and collective intelligence.

Memory trick: Collaboration needs a clear 'Done' goal, like a shared boat needs a co-piloted pole.

Strategies employed to reduce the probability or impact of a given risk. In Scrum, this often involves iterative development, frequent feedback, and early detection of issues.

• Proactive approach to managing risks.
• Aims to lessen severity or likelihood of problems.
• Embodies the Scrum principles of empiricism and adaptation.

Memory trick: Mitigate risks to keep projects on track.

The Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner in Product Backlog management, stakeholder collaboration, and maximizing value, helping them fulfill their accountabilities effectively.

• Empowers the Product Owner to address challenges independently.
• Focuses on skill development and strategic thinking.
• Aims for sustainable improvements in Product Owner behavior.

Memory trick: Coach the PO to be a Shield, for the team and value to yield.

Proactive measures taken to reduce the probability or impact of potential negative events in a complex environment.

• Involves identifying, assessing, and planning responses to risks.
• Testing, documentation, and small increments are common mitigation strategies.
• Essential for navigating unpredictable and interconnected systems.

Memory trick: Don't let the tangled web of complexity trip you; build bridges and test often.

Developers in a Scrum Team are self-managing, meaning they decide how to turn Product Backlog Items into an Increment, including who does what, when, and how, without external direction.

• Responsible for managing their own work within the Sprint.
• Collaborate to achieve the Sprint Goal.
• No external manager assigns tasks to them.

Memory trick: A self-managing Developer picks their own tools, not waits for the boss's rules.

Scrum is founded on empiricism, which asserts that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed.

• Relies on Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation.
• Embraces uncertainty and change.
• Contrasts with predictive, plan-driven approaches.

Memory trick: Experience and observation lead to knowledge and adaptation.

The Scrum Master acts as a mentor by guiding the Scrum Team and organization to a deeper understanding of Scrum principles, self-management, and continuous improvement, fostering their ability to solve problems independently.

• Focuses on long-term growth and capability building.
• Encourages self-discovery and independent problem-solving.
• Shares knowledge and experience without dictating solutions.

Memory trick: Many hats, but the Mentor's map guides the way.

A Scrum Master coaches the team in self-management and cross-functionality, helping them to develop their own abilities to organize and manage their work.

• Focuses on empowering the team to make decisions.
• Guides the team to learn from their choices and consequences.
• Avoids making decisions for the team.

Memory trick: The Scrum Master wears many hats, guiding the team where it's at.

The Scrum Master facilitates Scrum events, ensuring they are productive, focused, and held within their timeboxes, helping all participants understand their purpose.

• Ensures events are effective.
• Manages timeboxes and discussions.
• Helps achieve event objectives.

Memory trick: The Facilitator keeps the meeting train on its tracks and on time.

The Scrum Master removes impediments that originate outside the Scrum Team and require organizational-level intervention to resolve, protecting the team's ability to focus.

• Addresses external blockers.
• Works with organizational stakeholders.
• Protects team's focus and Sprint Goal.

Memory trick: The Impediment Remover clears the organizational path for the team's Sprint.

The Scrum Master teaches the organization, Product Owner, and Development Team about Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values.

• Educates on Scrum framework.
• Helps adopt Scrum effectively.
• Explains roles, events, artifacts.

Memory trick: The Teacher's lesson plan guides everyone in Scrum's classroom.

The Scrum Master educates the entire organization on Scrum and Agile principles, helping them understand and adopt the values and practices beyond just the immediate team.

• Educates across organizational levels.
• Promotes Agile mindset.
• Explains benefits of empirical process.

Memory trick: The Teacher's lesson echoes through the entire organizational hall.

The Scrum Master coaches individual team members to improve their skills, understanding of Scrum, and self-management capabilities.

• Focuses on individual growth.
• Uses powerful questioning techniques.
• Encourages self-discovery and reflection.

Memory trick: A COACH helps individuals 'GROW' by finding their own answers.

The Scrum Master coaches the Development Team in self-organization and cross-functionality, helping them to focus on creating high-value Increments.

• Guides the team towards self-management.
• Helps resolve internal conflicts and improve collaboration.
• Encourages team members to inspect and adapt their practices.

Memory trick: Coach the Team to Collaborate and Conquer.

The Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner in areas like Product Backlog management, maximizing value, and stakeholder collaboration, to enhance their effectiveness.

• Helps the PO effectively order the Product Backlog.
• Guides on communicating with stakeholders and expressing value.
• Supports the PO in maximizing product value.

Memory trick: PO's Product Power Comes from Scrum Master's Coaching.

The Scrum Master acts as a change agent within the organization, helping it adopt and improve Scrum, addressing systemic issues, and fostering an Agile culture.

• Drives organizational agility.
• Addresses systemic impediments.
• Fosters cultural shifts.

Memory trick: The Change Agent reshapes the organization's landscape, not just its garden.

The Scrum Master facilitates team interactions and dynamics to promote collaboration, psychological safety, and effective decision-making.

• Manages group processes and interactions.
• Ensures inclusive participation.
• Helps resolve conflicts constructively.

Memory trick: A FACILITATOR 'OPENS THE FLOOR' for everyone to contribute equally.

The Scrum Master champions Scrum adoption across the entire organization, addressing cultural, structural, and political barriers that impede agility.

• Works with all levels of the organization.
• Identifies and overcomes organizational resistance.
• Drives systemic improvements for agility.

Memory trick: An ORG CHANGE AGENT 'RE-WIRES' the whole company for agility.

The Scrum Master teaches the Development Team about Agile engineering practices, such as collective code ownership, Test-Driven Development, and Continuous Integration, to improve their technical excellence.

• Educates on Agile technical practices.
• Promotes shared understanding.
• Supports continuous improvement in engineering.

Memory trick: The Teacher illuminates the best practices for the Development Team.

The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team and the larger organization by protecting the team, removing impediments, and fostering an environment conducive to agility.

• Focuses on the needs of the team.
• Protects the team from external interference.
• Removes obstacles for team progress.

Memory trick: A SERVANT LEADER 'SHIELDS' the team, enabling them to flourish.

The Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner on Product Backlog management, maximizing value, and engaging stakeholders effectively.

• Helps PO maximize value.
• Guides on backlog ordering and refinement.
• Encourages effective stakeholder collaboration.

Memory trick: The Coach helps the Product Owner find their own path to an ordered backlog.

The Scrum Master coaches the Development Team in self-organization and cross-functionality, helping them improve their processes and collaboration.

• Guides team towards self-management.
• Fosters continuous improvement.
• Helps resolve internal conflicts.

Memory trick: The Coach helps the team navigate to self-sufficiency.

The Definition of Done is the formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It ensures transparency and quality.

• A formal agreement by the Scrum Team.
• Ensures transparency and quality for the Increment.
• Increases confidence in what is 'Done'.

Memory trick: Artifacts are tied to commitments.

Developers are expected to be proactive in identifying and raising impediments that threaten the Sprint Goal, collaborating with the Scrum Master and Product Owner for resolution.

• Not solely the Scrum Master's responsibility to resolve.
• Transparency is key; raise issues early.
• Collaboration with the entire Scrum Team is vital.

Memory trick: Detecting dangers, discussing options, delivering solutions.

The Product Goal is the long-term objective for the Scrum Team. It is the target that the Product Backlog focuses on.

• Only one Product Goal at a time.
• Resides in the Product Backlog.
• Provides strategic direction and purpose.

Memory trick: Goal guides the whole game.

Product Backlog refinement helps the Scrum Team gain a deeper understanding of Product Backlog Items, leading to more accurate estimates and better Sprint Planning.

• Ongoing activity, not an event.
• Collaborative effort between Product Owner and Developers.
• Reduces uncertainty and increases transparency of future work.

Memory trick: Refine to reveal, estimate to excel.

A Scrum Master acts as a Servant Leader by fostering an environment where the Development Team feels empowered and supported to self-organize and establish a sustainable working pace.

• Focus on well-being and growth of the team.
• Empowers the team to find their own solutions.
• Promotes self-organization and sustainable practices.

Memory trick: Servant Leaders Empower Teams to Thrive.

The Scrum Master acts as an Impediment Remover by addressing obstacles that are beyond the Scrum Team's self-organizing capabilities, often involving external departments or organizational structures.

• Actively works to eliminate obstacles.
• Focuses on impediments the team cannot resolve.
• Often involves engaging with external stakeholders or management.

Memory trick: Impediments Block, SM Unblocks.

As a Facilitator, the Scrum Master guides the Development Team and Product Owner during Sprint Planning to collaboratively define a clear and cohesive Sprint Goal.

• Ensures effective communication and collaboration.
• Helps the team stay focused on the event's purpose.
• Empowers the team to reach their own decisions.

Memory trick: Facilitators Guide, Not Dictate.

The Scrum Master acts as a Change Agent by influencing and guiding the broader organization to adopt principles and practices that foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Addresses systemic organizational issues.
• Works with leadership and across departments.
• Aims to evolve the organizational culture to support agility.

Memory trick: Change Agents Elevate the Entire Enterprise.

As a Coach, the Scrum Master uses powerful questions and observation to help the Development Team recognize the impact of technical debt and empower them to integrate sustainable engineering practices into their work.

• Focuses on self-discovery and internal motivation.
• Challenges assumptions and perspectives.
• Aims for lasting behavioral change and ownership.

Memory trick: Coaches Ask, Teams Discover.