Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsEasy
A Scrum Team has been working together for several months, but the Scrum Master notices that the Developers rarely engage in Product Backlog Refinement activities. As a result, many Product Backlog Items brought into Sprint Planning are unclear, leading to frequent questions and delays during the Sprint. What is the BEST course of action for the Scrum Master?
- AInsist that the Product Owner spend more time detailing PBIs independently before Sprint Planning.
- BSuggest that the team reduce the length of their Sprints to force earlier clarification of PBIs.
- CCoach the Developers and Product Owner on the value and techniques of continuous Product Backlog Refinement.
- DSchedule mandatory Product Backlog Refinement meetings and ensure all Developers attend.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Coach the Developers and Product Owner on the value and techniques of continuous Product Backlog Refinement.
Product Backlog Refinement is a collaborative activity. The Scrum Master should coach the entire Scrum Team on its purpose and benefits, empowering them to engage proactively in making PBIs ready for future Sprints, thereby preventing confusion and delays.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This places the entire burden on the Product Owner, ignoring the Developers' crucial role in refinement and undermining team collaboration.
- B. Reducing Sprint length might highlight the problem faster but doesn't solve the underlying issue of unclear PBIs or the lack of collaborative refinement.
- D. Mandating meetings might increase attendance but doesn't necessarily foster understanding or engagement. The team needs to see the value and learn how to refine effectively.
Product Backlog Refinement
The act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog Items into smaller, more precise items. It is an ongoing activity to add detail, estimates, and order to items.
- A collaborative activity involving the entire Scrum Team.
- Ensures items are 'ready' for Sprint Planning.
- Typically consumes no more than 10% of the Developers' time.
Memory trick: Refine for clarity, develop with certainty.