Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsHard
A Scrum Team has been consistently failing to meet its Sprint Goals for the past three Sprints. During the Sprint Retrospective, the Developers express frustration, stating they feel overwhelmed by the amount of work the Product Owner brings into Sprint Planning. The Scrum Master observes this tension. What is the MOST appropriate coaching stance for the Scrum Master to take in this situation?
- ACoach the Developers on better time management and estimation techniques to improve their capacity.
- BFacilitate a discussion to help the team understand the importance of realistic forecasting and the Product Owner's role.
- CDirect the Product Owner to reduce the number of items they bring to Sprint Planning.
- DAct as a mediator between the Product Owner and the Developers to negotiate a compromise on Sprint scope.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Facilitate a discussion to help the team understand the importance of realistic forecasting and the Product Owner's role.
The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate understanding and self-organization within the team. By coaching the team on realistic forecasting and the Product Owner's role in maximizing value, the Scrum Master empowers the team to collaboratively address the scope issue rather than dictating a solution or merely mediating a conflict.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While estimation techniques are useful, this option places the burden solely on the Developers without addressing the Product Owner's contribution to overwhelming scope, which is a team issue.
- C. Directing a team member is not a coaching stance; it undermines self-organization and the Product Owner's accountability.
- D. Mediating is a short-term fix. A coaching stance aims to build the team's capability to resolve such issues themselves in the future, rather than relying on the Scrum Master as a go-between.
Scrum Master as Coach
The Scrum Master coaches the Scrum Team, stakeholders, and the organization in its understanding and enactment of Scrum, enabling self-management and cross-functionality.
- Focuses on empowering the team to find their own solutions.
- Facilitates learning and understanding rather than giving directives.
- Helps the team improve their processes and interactions.
Memory trick: Coach, don't control; empower, don't impose.