Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum Theory & PrinciplesMedium
During a Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team identifies that their Definition of Done (DoD) is too vague, leading to inconsistent quality and frequent rework in subsequent Sprints. They decide to refine the DoD to include more specific quality gates and testing criteria. This decision is an example of which aspect of Scrum's empirical process?
- AAdaptation
- BTransparency
- CInspection
- DPredictability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Adaptation
The team has inspected their process (identifying the vague DoD and its consequences) and is now making a change to it (refining the DoD) based on that inspection. This act of adjustment to improve the process is a direct application of Adaptation.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Transparency would be making the DoD visible, but the act of changing it is Adaptation.
- C. Inspection is the act of identifying the vague DoD and the resulting issues, which happens before the decision to change it.
- D. Predictability is an outcome, not a pillar of empiricism, and it's what the team is trying to improve through adaptation.
Empiricism: Adaptation
Adaptation involves adjusting a process or product based on insights gained from inspection, to minimize further deviations from acceptable limits.
- Occurs as soon as possible after inspection.
- Requires empowered decision-makers.
- Is a continuous activity in Scrum.
Memory trick: TIA: Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation – TIA helps us learn!