Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum FrameworkHard
The Scrum Team is struggling to create a 'Done' Increment every Sprint. The Developers consistently cite external dependencies and lack of access to necessary environments as hindrances. What action should the Scrum Master prioritize to help the team improve?
- ASuggest that the Developers only select Product Backlog Items that do not have external dependencies.
- BAdvise the Product Owner to reorder the Product Backlog to prioritize items with fewer dependencies.
- CWork with management to remove the organizational impediments causing the dependencies and access issues.
- DCoach the Developers to manage these dependencies better by proactively coordinating with external teams.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Work with management to remove the organizational impediments causing the dependencies and access issues.
The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide and for the Scrum Team's effectiveness. This includes removing impediments to the Scrum Team's progress and helping the organization adopt Scrum. External dependencies and lack of access are organizational impediments that the Scrum Master should address at a systemic level.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a workaround that doesn't solve the underlying organizational problem and limits the Product Owner's ability to maximize value.
- B. Similar to B, this is a workaround that avoids addressing the fundamental organizational impediments.
- D. While Developers should coordinate, if the dependencies are systemic and beyond the team's control, coaching alone won't solve the root issue.
Scrum Master as Impediment Remover
The Scrum Master helps the Scrum Team and the organization by removing impediments to the Scrum Team's progress, often by working with stakeholders outside the team.
- Addresses impediments that the team cannot resolve themselves.
- Helps the organization understand and enact empirical product development.
- Coaches the organization in its Scrum adoption.
Memory trick: Scrum Master clears paths, not just points at rocks.