Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum FrameworkMedium
A Scrum Master is coaching a Development Team that frequently struggles to meet its Sprint Goal. Upon observation, the Scrum Master notices that the Developers often pick up new Product Backlog Items (PBIs) to work on as soon as they finish their current task, without considering what others are working on or if their Sprint Goal is at risk. What does this behavior indicate a lack of within the Development Team?
- ASelf-management
- BTechnical expertise
- CProduct Owner engagement
- DVelocity predictability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Self-management
Self-managing Developers choose how to accomplish the work within the Sprint. This includes coordinating their efforts as a team to achieve the Sprint Goal, not just individual tasks. Picking up new work without considering the Sprint Goal or team's overall progress indicates a lack of collective self-management.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. While technical expertise is important, the scenario describes a coordination issue, not necessarily a lack of skill to perform the work.
- C. Product Owner engagement is crucial for Product Backlog clarity, but the issue here is how the Developers manage their *own* work within the Sprint, which falls under their self-management.
- D. Velocity predictability is an outcome, not a characteristic of how the team operates. The behavior described is a cause, not a measure.
Developers' Self-Management
Developers are self-managing, meaning they decide who does what, when, and how to best accomplish the work within the Sprint.
- They manage their own work towards the Sprint Goal.
- Responsible for creating the 'Done' Increment.
- Requires collaboration and coordination within the team.
Memory trick: Team Chooses How to Go.