Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum Theory & PrinciplesMedium
A Product Owner is struggling to prioritize Product Backlog items because stakeholders have varying, often conflicting, expectations and demands. This leads to frequent re-prioritization and delays in starting new work. Which Lean principle, if embraced, would best help the Product Owner manage this situation?
- ADecide as Late as Possible
- BAmplify Learning
- CBuild Quality In
- DDeliver Fast
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Amplify Learning
Conflicting stakeholder expectations and frequent re-prioritization suggest a lack of clear understanding or shared knowledge about what truly delivers value. Embracing 'Amplify Learning' would encourage experimentation, frequent feedback loops, and shared understanding, which helps in clarifying value and aligning priorities effectively.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Decide as Late as Possible is about delaying irreversible decisions, but the problem is making *informed* decisions, not just delaying them.
- C. Build Quality In focuses on preventing defects, not resolving prioritization conflicts.
- D. Deliver Fast emphasizes speed, which is difficult without clear priorities.
Lean Principle: Amplify Learning
Foster continuous learning through frequent feedback, experimentation, and shared knowledge to make better decisions.
- Encourages empirical approach.
- Reduces uncertainty and risk.
- Crucial for complex and evolving products.
Memory trick: Value Flow Pull Amplify Decide Optimize Build