Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)People & TeamsEasy
A Scrum Master observes that the Developers are frequently waiting for external teams to complete tasks, leading to delays and missed Sprint Goals. The external teams are not part of the Scrum Team and have their own priorities. What is the MOST appropriate action for the Scrum Master to take in this situation?
- AEscalate the issue to senior management to force the external teams to prioritize the Scrum Team's work.
- BCoach the Developers on how to become more self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on external teams.
- CFacilitate a discussion between the Developers and the external teams to identify dependencies and explore solutions for better collaboration.
- DAdvise the Product Owner to remove Product Backlog Items that depend on external teams to avoid future delays.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Facilitate a discussion between the Developers and the external teams to identify dependencies and explore solutions for better collaboration.
The Scrum Master's role includes removing impediments and facilitating collaboration. Engaging directly with the external teams to understand dependencies and find collaborative solutions is the most effective and proactive approach.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Escalation should be a last resort; the Scrum Master should first attempt to resolve the issue through facilitation and collaboration.
- B. While increasing self-sufficiency is good, some external dependencies are unavoidable, and coaching alone won't resolve the need for inter-team coordination.
- D. Removing dependent items might avoid delays in the short term but doesn't solve the underlying issue of external dependencies and collaboration.
Scrum Master as Impediment Remover
The Scrum Master helps the Scrum Team and the organization by removing impediments to the Scrum Team's progress, fostering an environment where value can be delivered.
- Focuses on systemic issues, not just individual problems.
- Collaborates with stakeholders outside the Scrum Team.
- Empowers the team to resolve issues themselves where possible.
Memory trick: Clear the path for the Rocket's flight, the Scrum Master makes things right.