Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum Theory & PrinciplesEasy
A Scrum Team is working on a new product where the market needs are rapidly evolving, and the technical approach is highly experimental. The Product Owner frequently changes the order of the Product Backlog, and the Developers often find themselves discarding work or re-architecting solutions mid-Sprint. This environment best exemplifies which characteristic of complex work?
- AStability
- BSimplicity
- CUncertainty
- DPredictability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Uncertainty
Rapidly evolving market needs and experimental technical approaches inherently introduce a high degree of uncertainty. This directly leads to frequent changes in priorities and discarded work, characteristic of complex environments where outcomes are not easily foreseen.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Stability suggests unchanging conditions, which is contrary to the scenario.
- B. Simplicity implies straightforward problems with clear solutions, which is not the case here.
- D. Predictability is the opposite of what's described; the situation is highly unpredictable.
Complexity: Uncertainty
Uncertainty in complex work refers to the unpredictability of outcomes, requirements, or technical solutions.
- Makes planning difficult.
- Requires frequent inspection and adaptation.
- Often seen in innovative or rapidly changing environments.
Memory trick: VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity