Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsHard
A Product Owner is consistently struggling to say 'no' to stakeholders, frequently adding new, urgent requests directly to the current Sprint Backlog, disrupting the Developers' focus and jeopardizing the Sprint Goal. The Scrum Master has observed this pattern over several Sprints. What is the MOST impactful long-term action the Scrum Master should take?
- ARemind the Product Owner daily about the importance of the Sprint Goal and the stability of the Sprint Backlog.
- BCoach the Product Owner on stakeholder management techniques and how to effectively communicate Product Backlog priorities and trade-offs.
- CFacilitate a meeting between the Product Owner and the Developers to collaboratively push back on stakeholders' demands.
- DEscalate the Product Owner's behavior to their functional manager, highlighting the negative impact on the Scrum Team's performance.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Coach the Product Owner on stakeholder management techniques and how to effectively communicate Product Backlog priorities and trade-offs.
This is a systemic issue related to the Product Owner's accountability and stakeholder management skills. Coaching the Product Owner on these aspects empowers them to handle future similar situations independently and effectively, leading to a long-term solution.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Daily reminders are a short-term fix and don't address the underlying skill gap or systemic pressure on the Product Owner.
- C. While collaborative pushback can be effective in the short term, it doesn't equip the Product Owner with the skills to proactively manage stakeholders.
- D. Escalation should be a last resort after attempts at coaching and facilitation have failed; it also doesn't build the Product Owner's capability.
Scrum Master as Coach for Product Owner
The Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner in Product Backlog management, stakeholder collaboration, and maximizing value, helping them fulfill their accountabilities effectively.
- Empowers the Product Owner to address challenges independently.
- Focuses on skill development and strategic thinking.
- Aims for sustainable improvements in Product Owner behavior.
Memory trick: Coach the PO to be a Shield, for the team and value to yield.