Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsMedium
During a Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team discusses recurring communication breakdowns between Developers and the Product Owner regarding new feature requirements. The Scrum Master facilitates the discussion. Which of the following actions best demonstrates the Scrum Master acting as a mentor in this situation?
- ASuggesting that the Developers and Product Owner schedule a separate meeting to iron out all requirements upfront.
- BGuiding the Product Owner and Developers to identify patterns in their communication and propose experimental solutions.
- CProviding a pre-defined template for requirement documentation that all team members must use for future Sprints.
- DStepping in to mediate all future communication between the Developers and the Product Owner to prevent misunderstandings.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Guiding the Product Owner and Developers to identify patterns in their communication and propose experimental solutions.
Mentoring involves guiding individuals or teams to develop their own capabilities and find their own solutions. Option B encourages the team to self-organize and learn from their experiences, which is a core aspect of mentoring in Scrum.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a prescriptive solution, not mentoring. It doesn't help the team develop their own communication skills.
- C. This is a directive approach, not mentoring. It imposes a solution rather than helping the team find their own.
- D. This creates dependency on the Scrum Master and removes the opportunity for the team to improve their own communication.
Scrum Master as Mentor
The Scrum Master acts as a mentor by guiding the Scrum Team and organization to a deeper understanding of Scrum principles, self-management, and continuous improvement, fostering their ability to solve problems independently.
- Focuses on long-term growth and capability building.
- Encourages self-discovery and independent problem-solving.
- Shares knowledge and experience without dictating solutions.
Memory trick: Many hats, but the Mentor's map guides the way.