Not to be mistaken with a software developer, a Scrum Developer is any team member who contributes to delivering the final product. This blog post will define and dive into the responsibilities and accountabilities of Developers, especially in relation to the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) exam.
I. Fundamental Roles of Developers in Scrum:
Scrum developers are responsible for turning Product Backlog Items (PBIs) into Increments of value by the end of the Sprint (Scrum’s fundamental unit of time). They are responsible for the delivery and quality of each Increment. The Developers are entirely self-managing, meaning they autonomously decide how to best accomplish their work without needing supervision or direction from others outside of the Scrum Team.
II. Key Responsibilities:
- Creating a Plan for the Sprint: In the Sprint Planning meeting, the Developers help to decide what work they will take on during the upcoming Sprint. They help to break PBIs down into manageable tasks and estimate the effort required.
- Daily Scrum: This is a daily 15-minute event where Developers map out their work for the next 24 hours. They discuss progress since the last meeting and anticipate any obstacles that might stand in their way.
- Sprint Review: At the end of each Sprint, the Developers display the work they have finished during the Sprint. They then receive feedback that can be turned into new PBIs if required.
- Sprint Retrospective: This is an opportunity for the Developers to inspect themselves and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint.
III. Key Accountabilities:
In terms of accountabilities, Developers are accountable for:
- Producing valuable, usable increments every Sprint.
- Managing their own work by deciding which PBIs from the Product Backlog to work on during each Sprint and in what order.
- Making sure completed work meets the team’s Definition of Done, which ensures that the Increment is potentially releasable and meets the quality needed.
- Raising issues to the Scrum Master when the team encounters obstacles outside of their control that are hindering progress.
IV. Practical Example:
For example, in a team developing a mobile application, a Scrum Developer could be a UI/UX designer, database specialist, quality assurance tester, or a software developer. Suppose the product increment for a particular Sprint involves adding a new login feature. Here, each Developer does their part to ensure this feature works and meets the team’s Definition of Done.
The software developer writes the code for the feature, the UI/UX designer ensures it is user-friendly and fits well within the application’s existing interface, the database specialist ensures user data is stored securely and efficiently, and the quality assurance tester ensures that the new feature works as expected, reporting any bugs or issues they find to the rest of the team.
In conclusion, the role of a Developer in a Scrum team extends beyond delivery of product increments.
Learning about these roles and responsibilities is crucial for anyone preparing for the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) exam, as a cogent understanding of the entire Scrum team, including the people in the trenches doing the actual work, is key to passing and becoming a successful Scrum Master.
Practice Test
True or False: Developers are responsible for creating detailed technical specifications for a project.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Developers in a Scrum team work with the Product Owner to understand and implement requirements but do not create detailed technical specifications.
What is the primary responsibility of developers in a Scrum team?
- A. Marketing the product
- B. Training end-users
- C. Creating value by delivering increments of product functionality
- D. Doing quality assurance
Answer: C. Creating value by delivering increments of product functionality
Explanation: The chief responsibility of developers in a Scrum team is to deliver increments of product value in accordance with the Sprint objective and Definition of Done.
True or False: Developers are not accountable for ensuring that the product meets the Definition of Done.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Developers are responsible for ensuring that every increment of the product adheres to the Definition of Done.
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a developer in Scrum?
- A. Creating the product backlog
- B. Working closely with the Product Owner for understanding requirements
- C. Adhering to the Definition of Done
- D. Participating in all Scrum events
Answer: A. Creating the product backlog.
Explanation: Creating and managing the product backlog is the responsibility of the Product Owner, not the developers.
Who is responsible for estimating the size of Product Backlog items?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. Developers
- D. Stakeholders
Answer: C. Developers
Explanation: Developers are responsible for estimating the size of Product Backlog items as they have the technical knowledge for the task.
True or False: Developers are not required to participate in Scrum events.
- Answer: False
Explanation: All members of the Scrum Team, including the developers, must participate in Scrum events to ensure transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
True or False: Developers should only focus on implementing the requirements and let others worry about the quality.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Developers are responsible not just for accomplishing the requirements but also ensuring the quality of the work (maintaining the Scrum team’s standards and the Definition of Done).
Who is generally responsible for reporting on the progress towards the Sprint Goal during the Daily Scrum?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. Developers
- D. Stakeholders
Answer: C. Developers
Explanation: Developers are responsible for reporting on the progress towards the Sprint Goal during the Daily Scrum as they carry out the actual work.
Can developers participate in refining Product Backlog Items?
- A. No
- B. Yes
Answer: B. Yes
Explanation: Developers participate in Product Backlog refinement along with the Product Owner, bringing their technical expertise to the discussion.
Who is responsible for managing the technical debt in a product?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. Developers
- D. Stakeholders
Answer: C. Developers
Explanation: Developers are responsible for managing the technical debt in a product as they carry out the actual development work.
Interview Questions
What is the main responsibility of a developer in a Scrum team?
In a Scrum team, the main responsibility of a developer is to deliver potentially shippable increments of the product at the end of each Sprint.
What accountability does a developer have in Scrum?
In Scrum, developers are accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint, also known as the Sprint Backlog.
How does a developer contribute to the Daily Scrum Meeting?
During the Daily Scrum Meeting, a developer discusses what they completed the previous day, what they will be working on today and any obstacles they’re facing.
What is the developer’s role in Sprint Planning?
In Sprint Planning, developers work with the Product Owner and the Scrum Master to determine which items in the product backlog will be included in the Sprint, and create a plan to complete those items.
How is the developer’s performance measured in the Scrum Framework?
A developer’s performance in Scrum is measured based on the value of the work they deliver at the end of each Sprint.
Is it the developer’s responsibility to test the product increment?
Yes, in Scrum, the developers are responsible for ensuring that each product increment is potentially shippable, which includes testing.
What is a developer’s role in the Sprint Review?
During the Sprint Review, developers demonstrate the work that they have done during the Sprint. They also participate in discussions about what was done, what went well, and what improvements could be made.
Is it a developer’s responsibility to manage the Product Backlog?
No, the Product Backlog is managed by the Product Owner. However, developers are expected to provide feedback and estimates to help refine the Product Backlog.
Are developers accountable for quality in Scrum?
Yes, developers are accountable for the quality of the work they deliver. They are expected to adhere to the Definition of Done, and to continuously improve their work processes.
In Scrum, who is responsible for making sure the team adheres to the Scrum framework and practices?
While the Scrum Master is officially accountable for helping the team adhere to Scrum theory, values, and practices, all team members, including developers, share this responsibility.
Can a developer change the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint?
Yes, developers can change the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint. As more is learned about the work, the Sprint Backlog evolves.
What is a developer’s responsibility regarding team collaboration in Scrum?
A developer is responsible for collaborating with the Product Owner, Scrum Master and other Developers. This includes actively participating in Scrum Meetings and working together to solve problems and optimize team productivity.
Is it the developer’s responsibility to remove impediments in Scrum?
Removing impediments is a key responsibility of the Scrum Master, but developers are expected to identify and communicate about impediments so that they can be addressed.
How are decisions made regarding the technical aspects of the product in Scrum?
In Scrum, developers make decisions regarding the technical aspects of the product. They have the autonomy to choose the technical strategies and tactics to best meet the product goals.
What is a developer’s responsibility in the Sprint Retrospective?
In the Sprint Retrospective, developers reflect on the past Sprint, discuss what went well and identify opportunities for improvement. They also create a plan for implementing improvements in the next Sprint.
extutorials.com