Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum Theory & PrinciplesHard
A Scrum Master observes that the Product Owner is frequently absent from Sprint Reviews and relies solely on written reports from the Developers. As a result, stakeholders often express confusion about the Increment and its alignment with their changing needs. Which aspect of Empiricism is primarily being undermined by the Product Owner's behavior?
- AAdaptation
- BTransparency
- CInspection
- DCommitment
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Inspection
The Sprint Review is a key formal opportunity for inspection. The Product Owner's absence and reliance on written reports diminish the effectiveness of inspecting the Increment and the Product Backlog, leading to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for direct feedback.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Adaptation is the consequence of inspection; if inspection is poor, adaptation will suffer, but inspection is the direct pillar being undermined.
- B. Transparency is about making things visible, but the issue here is the *lack of engagement* in inspecting what's visible.
- D. Commitment is a Scrum Value, not a pillar of Empiricism.
Empiricism: Inspection
Scrum users must frequently inspect Scrum artifacts and progress toward a Sprint Goal to detect undesirable variances.
- Formal opportunities for inspection are Scrum Events.
- Requires skilled inspectors at the point of work.
- Essential for identifying deviations and issues early.
Memory trick: Look closely, measure results, then think and change.