A Scrum Team is consistently delivering Increments, but the Product Owner feels disconnected from the technical implementation details. They struggle to understand the progress reported by the Developers during the Daily Scrum. What would be the most effective way for the Scrum Master to address this communication gap?
- AEncourage the Product Owner to attend the Daily Scrum more frequently and ask clarifying questions.
- BSuggest the Product Owner spend more time refining Product Backlog Items with the Developers.
- CCoach the Developers to communicate their progress in terms of business value and impact on the Product Goal, rather than just technical tasks.
- DAdvise the Product Owner to rely solely on the Sprint Review to understand product progress.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Coach the Developers to communicate their progress in terms of business value and impact on the Product Goal, rather than just technical tasks.
The Daily Scrum is for the Developers, but its transparency benefits the entire Scrum Team. If the Product Owner is struggling to understand progress, it indicates a need for the Developers to adjust their communication to be more value-oriented and less technical, linking their work directly to the Sprint Goal and Product Goal. The Scrum Master can coach them on this.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The PO can attend, but the Daily Scrum is for Developers. Simply attending more won't solve the communication style issue.
- B. While PBI refinement is important, it focuses on future work, not on understanding current Sprint progress during the Daily Scrum.
- D. Relying solely on the Sprint Review would mean a significant delay in understanding progress and adapting, which goes against Scrum's empirical principles.
Daily Scrum Communication
During the Daily Scrum, Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog. Effective communication focuses on what has been done, what will be done, and any impediments, often framed in terms of their contribution to the Sprint Goal.
- Primarily for Developers.
- Focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal.
- Should be transparent and understandable.
- Scrum Master coaches for effective communication.
Memory trick: Speak the Product Owner's language: value, not just tech.