Their adherence to these responsibilities ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Scrum Team. In preparation for the Certified Scrum Professional – Scrum Master (CSP-SM) exam, let’s dive into five fundamental responsibilities for each.
Selecting the Scrum Team:
The first responsibility is that of forming a Scrum Team. The team generally consists of a Scrum Master, a Product Owner, and a Development Team. As defined by the official Scrum Guide, it is essential that the team members are self-organizing and cross-functional. The Scrum Master, who is primarily responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum, ensures that everyone understands the Scrum theory, practices, roles, and values, while the Product Owner manages the Product Backlog and ensures that it is visible and transparent to all stakeholders.
Defining the Vision:
Next, stakeholders, usually led by the Product Owner, must clearly define the product’s vision. This should align with the company’s goals, and provide a clear, shared understanding for the Scrum Team. For instance, a vision for a software development project might be “Create an intuitive and user-friendly mobile application for online shopping catering to busy millennials.”
Creating and Refining the Product Backlog:
The Product Owner and the Development Team are responsible for creating and refining the Product Backlog, which is a list of tasks and requirements the final product needs. This responsibility involves prioritizing tasks based on their value to the organization. Ideally, items at the top of the backlog should be smaller, more detailed, and more immediate than those further down.
| Backlog Item | Priority |
|---|---|
| Develop user registration functionality | 1 |
| Implement secure payment system | 2 |
| Create an inviting and simple user interface | 3 |
| Integrate system with inventory database for real-time updates | 4 |
Estimating the Work:
The Scrum Team must collaboratively estimate the amount of work each backlog item would need by using techniques such as Planning Poker, T-Shirt Sizing, Bucket System, or Affinity Estimation. This step ensures a practical and feasible Sprint Planning.
Stakeholders Engagement:
Lastly, stakeholders must provide ongoing feedback and updates on changes in the business and market conditions during the Regular Review Meetings. Additionally, they ensure that resources are properly allocated, and remove any organizational obstacles. Regular alignment with stakeholders gives the Scrum Team vital business context and information about the wider business objectives to help them prioritize work and make more informed decisions.
These responsibilities underline the Scrum values of openness, courage, commitment, focus, and respect. They demonstrate the collaborative nature required to make Scrum work and ensure that all involved parties – from the Scrum Team to the stakeholders – find success in their projects.
In conclusion, the formation of a new Scrum Team involves robust participation and adherence to key responsibilities from both the team members and stakeholders.
Understanding and executing these responsibilities will not only provide a solid foundation for running successful Scrum projects but also boost your preparation for the CSP-SM certification exam.
Practice Test
True or False: When forming a new Scrum Team, it is the responsibility of the Scrum Team members to choose a Scrum Master.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The role of Scrum Master is usually appointed by the organization and not the Scrum Team members themselves. The Scrum Master helps guide the team in the Scrum framework.
True or False: It is not necessary for stakeholders to provide feedback to the Scrum Team in the process of forming a new Scrum Team.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Stakeholders play a crucial role in providing feedback and expectations which helps the Scrum Team align better with the organization’s goals.
Which of the following are responsibilities of Scrum Team members while forming a new Scrum Team?
- A. Defining the product backlog
- B. Selecting Product Owner
- C. Establishing a definition of done
- D. Deciding on scrum ceremonies schedule
Answer: A, C, D
Explanation: Scrum Team members have a hand in defining the product backlog, establishing a definition of done and organizing scrum ceremonies. The Product Owner is usually not selected by the team.
Who is responsible for defining the roles within the Scrum Team?
- A. The Product Owner
- B. The Scrum Master
- C. The Development Team
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: A Scrum team is self-organizing, meaning that the team members themselves decide on their roles. However, the Product Owner and Scrum Master also play a role in refining and defining the team’s responsibilities.
True or False: The stakeholder is entitled to change the scrum team’s composition if the outcomes do not align with his expectations.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Though stakeholders do have say in providing feedback, the actual changes in team composition are to be worked out within the team, usually with help from the Scrum Master.
The responsibility of _____ is to help the scrum team members understand their roles.
- A. Stakeholders
- B. Scrum Master
- C. Product Owner
- D. Other team members
Answer: B. Scrum Master
Explanation: The Scrum Master’s responsibility includes helping the rest of the team understand their roles within the Scrum framework.
True or False: Team members should make a commitment to continuously collaborate and integrate their work with each other.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Collaboration and integration are fundamental aspects of Scrum, and this is a responsibility all team members hold.
Who is responsible for building an effective team culture?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. Each team member
- D. Stakeholders
Answer: C. Each team member
Explanation: Building an effective team culture is a shared responsibility of each team member.
Who is responsible for understanding the Scrum values and principles?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. The Development Team
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Understanding Scrum principles and values is necessary for every role in Scrum, including Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team.
True or False: It is not the Scrum Team’s responsibility to inspect and adapt the Scrum process.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Inspection and adaptation are key parts of the Scrum process and it is the responsibility of the whole Scrum Team to continuously inspect and improve the process.
Interview Questions
1. What are five responsibilities for Scrum Team members and stakeholders when forming a new Scrum Team?
Answer: The responsibilities include ensuring that all necessary skills and capabilities are present within the team, committing to the goals and requirements of the project, actively participating in all team ceremonies, promoting collaboration and open communication within the team, and supporting the Scrum Master in removing any impediments that may hinder progress.
2. How should Scrum Team members and stakeholders ensure all necessary skills and capabilities are present within the team during the formation phase?
Answer: They should collaborate to identify and recruit team members with diverse skills and expertise that align with the project requirements, ensuring a well-rounded team capable of delivering on the project goals.
3. What does it mean for Scrum Team members and stakeholders to commit to the goals and requirements of the project during the team formation?
Answer: It entails understanding and agreeing on the project vision, goals, and scope, committing to delivering high-quality work within the given constraints, and aligning individual efforts with the collective objectives of the team.
4. How can Scrum Team members and stakeholders actively participate in all team ceremonies to support the formation process?
Answer: By attending and engaging in ceremonies such as Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, and Retrospectives, team members and stakeholders can contribute insights, provide updates on progress, and collaborate effectively to drive the team towards success.
5. What role does promoting collaboration and open communication play in the responsibilities of Scrum Team members and stakeholders during team formation?
Answer: It fosters a culture of transparency, trust, and shared understanding among team members, enabling effective collaboration, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving throughout the project lifecycle.
6. How can Scrum Team members and stakeholders support the Scrum Master in removing impediments that may hinder progress during the team formation phase?
Answer: By promptly identifying and escalating any obstacles or challenges that arise, offering assistance in resolving issues, and working collaboratively to maintain project momentum, team members and stakeholders can help ensure the team operates efficiently and delivers value consistently.
7. In what ways can Scrum Team members and stakeholders demonstrate their commitment to the success of the new Scrum Team?
Answer: By actively contributing to the team’s efforts, embracing the principles and values of Scrum, seeking continuous improvement, fostering a positive team dynamic, and maintaining a customer-centric focus in all their actions, team members and stakeholders can demonstrate their dedication to the team’s success.
8. How important is diversity in skills and expertise within a Scrum Team when considering responsibilities during team formation?
Answer: Diversity in skills and expertise ensures that the team can tackle a wide range of tasks effectively, leverage various perspectives to drive innovation, and adapt to changing project requirements with agility, making it a crucial aspect in fulfilling the team’s responsibilities during formation.
9. What is the significance of aligning individual efforts with collective team objectives for Scrum Team members and stakeholders during the formation phase?
Answer: It ensures that team members work towards a common purpose, collaborate seamlessly, and prioritize the success of the team over individual interests, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team dynamic essential for achieving project goals.
10. How can Scrum Team members and stakeholders maintain a customer-centric focus while forming a new Scrum Team?
Answer: By continuously seeking feedback from stakeholders, understanding customer needs and expectations, and aligning project deliverables with customer value, the team can stay customer-centric and drive the development of solutions that meet or exceed customer requirements.
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