Certified ScrumMaster Exam Questions and Answers
Which accountability ensures Scrum is understood and enacted?
Options:
Developers
Product Owner
Scrum Master
Project Sponsor
Answer:
CExplanation:
TheScrum Masteris accountable for ensuring Scrum is understood and enacted. They are responsible for coaching the Scrum Team and the organization in adopting Scrum practices and principles. The Scrum Master acts as a servant leader, guiding the team and stakeholders in understanding and applying Scrum effectively to deliver value.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is accountable for:
Establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.
Helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice.
Removing impediments and fostering an environment where Scrum can thrive.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Developers:Developers are accountable for creating the Increment but not for ensuring Scrum is understood across the organization.
B. Product Owner:The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring value delivery, not for ensuring Scrum adoption.
D. Project Sponsor:There is no role of "Project Sponsor" in Scrum.
Which one is true for Sprint Planning?
Options:
The work to be performed in the Sprint is planned
Demo of the previous increment is done
Customers will share the feedback
The Product Backlog is refined
Answer:
AExplanation:
DuringSprint Planning, the Scrum Team plans the work to be performed in the upcoming Sprint. The event is time-boxed and is attended by the entire Scrum Team. The main outcomes of Sprint Planning are:
A Sprint Goalthat defines the purpose of the Sprint.
Selected Product Backlog itemsthat are forecasted to be delivered during the Sprint.
A plan for how the work will be completed, which is created by the Developers.
Why the other options are incorrect:
B. Demo of the previous increment is done:Demonstrations and feedback occur during the Sprint Review, not Sprint Planning.
C. Customers will share the feedback:Feedback from customers is gathered during the Sprint Review, not Sprint Planning.
D. The Product Backlog is refined:Product Backlog refinement is an ongoing activity, not a specific focus of Sprint Planning.
What is one service a Scrum Master provides to the Product Owner?
Options:
Assign tasks to the Developers
Write user stories
Prioritize the backlog
Find effective Product Backlog management techniques
Answer:
DExplanation:
One of the key services aScrum Master provides to the Product Owneris helping them findeffective Product Backlog management techniques. This ensures that the Product Owner can maximize the value of the product and effectively manage the Product Backlog.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by:
Helping the Product Owner find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management.
Facilitating stakeholder collaboration when needed.
Supporting empirical product planning for complex environments.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Assign tasks to the Developers:Tasks are not assigned in Scrum. Developers are self-organizing and responsible for determining how they will complete the work.
B. Write user stories:Writing user stories is a Product Owner responsibility, not the Scrum Master's.
C. Prioritize the backlog:The Product Owner prioritizes the Product Backlog, not the Scrum Master.
A lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems is known as
Options:
Kanban.
Scrum.
Agile.
Waterfall.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Scrumis a lightweight framework designed to help teams and organizations addresscomplex problemsand deliver value in an adaptive manner. It is based on the principles of empiricism (transparency, inspection, and adaptation) and is widely used for developing, delivering, and sustaining products in a flexible and iterative way.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, Scrum is:
A lightweight framework that helps people, teams, and organizationsgenerate valuethroughadaptive solutionsfor complex problems.
Defined by roles, events, artifacts, and rules that are intentionally simple yet highly effective.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Kanban:Kanban is a method for visualizing work and improving flow, but it is not a framework specifically designed for solving complex problems like Scrum.
C. Agile:Agile is a broader philosophy or mindset that includes various frameworks (such as Scrum, Kanban, etc.), but Scrum itself is a specific framework.
D. Waterfall:Waterfall is a traditional, sequential approach to project management that lacks the flexibility and adaptiveness of Scrum.
When a Scrum Master encounters resistance from outside of the Scrum Team, what should the Scrum Master do?
Options:
Escalate to management to reprimand the resisters
Not intervene in the business of others
Create a status update meeting for all Scrum Masters to coordinate team dependencies
Work with other Scrum Masters to increase the effectiveness of the application of Scrum in the organization
Answer:
DExplanation:
When a Scrum Master encounters resistance from outside the Scrum Team, their role is to act as aservant leader and coach, ensuring the organization's adoption of Scrum is effective. Resistance often stems from a lack of understanding or buy-in regarding the value of Scrum.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the organization in several ways, including:
Leading, training, and coaching the organization in its Scrum adoption.
Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organization.
Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach for complex work.
In this case, the Scrum Master collaborates with other Scrum Masters to amplify the effectiveness of Scrum across the organization. This collaboration is essential for addressing systemic challenges or resistance to Scrum.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Escalate to management to reprimand the resisters:Escalating and seeking reprimand is not aligned with the Scrum Master's role as a facilitator and coach. This approach could create conflict rather than resolve resistance.
B. Not intervene in the business of others:The Scrum Master’s role involves actively addressing impediments and resistance. Avoiding intervention undermines their responsibility to promote Scrum.
C. Create a status update meeting for all Scrum Masters to coordinate teamdependencies:While collaboration among Scrum Masters is essential, "status update meetings" are not a Scrum practice, and coordination of dependencies is typically handled within Sprint Planning or during collaborative refinement sessions.
How does the Scrum Master help ensure the Scrum Team is working effectively?
Options:
Plan Scrum implementations within the organization
Facilitate Scrum events
Report all user stories in management meetings
Coach the Scrum Team in self-management and cross-functionality
Answer:
DExplanation:
The Scrum Master ensures that the Scrum Team is working effectively bycoaching the team in self-management and cross-functionality. This enables the team to take ownership of their work, collaborate effectively, and achieve their goals.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in the following ways:
Coaching team members to improve their practices andself-management skills.
Helping the team become cross-functional so they can deliver complete, Done Increments without relying on external dependencies.
Removing impediments to their progress and facilitating productive Scrum events.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Plan Scrum implementations within the organization:While the Scrum Master supports Scrum adoption across the organization, this is not directly related to the Scrum Team's effectiveness.
B. Facilitate Scrum events:Facilitating events is part of the Scrum Master’s responsibilities, but the larger goal is to enable the team's effectiveness through coaching and guidance.
C. Report all user stories in management meetings:Scrum does not involve reporting to management in this way, as the focus is on delivering value rather than detailed reporting.
Which activity seeks to build consensus in a group setting?
Options:
Coaching
Teaching
Mentoring
Facilitating
Answer:
DExplanation:
Facilitatingis the activity that seeks to build consensus in a group setting. In Scrum, the Scrum Master often acts as afacilitator, helping the team reach agreements during events such as Sprint Planning, Retrospectives, or backlog refinement sessions. Facilitators guide discussions neutrally, ensuring all voices are heard and helping the group align on decisions.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master:
Facilitates Scrum events as requested or needed.
Removes barriers to communication and fosters collaboration within the team.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Coaching:Coaching involves guiding individuals or teams to improve performance, but it is not specifically about building group consensus.
B. Teaching:Teaching focuses on imparting knowledge, not consensus-building.
C. Mentoring:Mentoring involves a one-on-one relationship where the mentor shares knowledge and experience, which is not a group activity.
Software built and delivered in pieces is known as
Options:
An iterative process.
An incremental process.
A lifecycle process.
A release process.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Incremental processrefers to building and delivering software in small, usable pieces (Increments). In Scrum, each Increment is a usable part of the product that adds value and meets the Definition of Done.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
The Increment isa concrete step toward the Product Goal.
Increments allow for frequent inspection and adaptation while ensuring transparency of progress.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. An iterative process:While Scrum is iterative, "iterative" describes repeated cycles of planning and improving, whereas "incremental" refers to delivering usable pieces of the product.
C. A lifecycle process:This is a generic term for any process involving software development and does not specifically describe building in pieces.
D. A release process:A release process focuses on deploying software, not the incremental building of usable Increments.
A developer identified a major technical issue during a Daily Scrum. What should the team do?
Options:
Meet and discuss outside of Daily Scrum
Interrupt the Daily Scrum and solve the problem immediately
Escalate it to the Product Owner
Discuss it during the Sprint Review
Answer:
AExplanation:
TheDaily Scrumis a short, time-boxed event (15 minutes) where Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan for the day. It is not intended to solve problems or deep-dive into discussions. If a major technical issue is identified during the Daily Scrum, the team should note it and arrange to discuss and solve itoutside of the Daily Scrum.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
The Daily Scrum is focused on progress toward the Sprint Goal, and issues that require detailed discussion or resolution should be handled separately.
The Scrum Master may help facilitate these follow-up discussions if needed.
Why the other options are incorrect:
B. Interrupt the Daily Scrum and solve the problem immediately:The Daily Scrum is not a problem-solving session. Interrupting it for detailed discussions disrupts its purpose and timebox.
C. Escalate it to the Product Owner:Technical issues are typically handled by the Developers, not the Product Owner, who is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring value delivery.
D. Discuss it during the Sprint Review:Waiting until the Sprint Review to discuss atechnical issue would delay resolution and risk jeopardizing the Sprint Goal.
Who is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog?
Options:
Scrum Master
Stakeholders
Product Owner
Developers
Answer:
CExplanation:
TheProduct Owneris accountable for ordering theProduct Backlog. This responsibility includes prioritizing items to maximize the value of the product and ensuring that the most important work is addressed first.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
The Product Owner is responsible formanaging the Product Backlog, which includesorderingthe Product Backlog items to achieve the Product Goal effectively.
The Product Owner works collaboratively with stakeholders, the Scrum Team, and other involved parties to understand priorities, but the final decision on ordering rests solely with them.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates and coaches the team but does not manage or order the Product Backlog.
B. Stakeholders:Stakeholders provide input and feedback, but they do not have the authority to order the Product Backlog.
D. Developers:Developers collaborate with the Product Owner to clarify and refine items but do not make decisions about ordering the backlog.
Product Backlog refinement is
Options:
a recurring event in the middle of each Sprint.
the act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog items.
an opportunity for the Developers to estimate Product Backlog items.
a pre-planning meeting to shorten the length of Sprint Planning.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Product Backlog refinementis the act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog items into smaller, clearer, and more actionable items. This process ensures that the Product Backlog is well-organized, understood, and ready for the upcoming Sprint Planning. Refinement helps the Developers and Product Owner collaborate to add detail, order, and estimates to Product Backlog items.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
Product Backlog refinement is an ongoing activity that occurs throughout the Sprint.
It is not a formal event, and its timing and structure are determined by the Scrum Team.
Refinement improves clarity and helps the team better understand upcoming work.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. a recurring event in the middle of each Sprint:Product Backlog refinement is not a time-boxed event. It occurs continuously, as needed.
C. an opportunity for the Developers to estimate Product Backlog items:While estimation may occur during refinement, the primary purpose is breaking down and clarifying items, not solely estimation.
D. a pre-planning meeting to shorten the length of Sprint Planning:Product Backlog refinement is not a pre-planning meeting but an ongoing activity to prepare for future Sprints.
What should the Scrum Master do if the Developers complain that the Daily Scrum is just a "status update" meeting?
Options:
Explain that the intent of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress towards the Sprint Goal
Cancel the Daily Scrum and have status update meetings instead
Reduce the occurrence for this meeting to once a week
Make Daily Scrum an optional meeting for the Developers to attend
Answer:
AExplanation:
TheScrum Mastershould coach the Developers byexplaining the intent of the Daily Scrum, which is toinspect progress toward the Sprint Goaland adapt the plan as needed. The Daily Scrum is not a status update meeting—it is a collaborative event for the Developers to synchronize their efforts, share progress, and discuss any impediments.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
The Daily Scrum is a15-minute eventwhere the Developers inspect their progress and adapt their plan to achieve the Sprint Goal.
The event belongs to the Developers, and they decide how to structure it, but its purpose must align with the framework’s guidance.
Why the other options are incorrect:
B. Cancel the Daily Scrum and have status update meetings instead:Status update meetings go against Scrum principles, which emphasize team ownership and collaboration.
C. Reduce the occurrence for this meeting to once a week:The Daily Scrum is adailyevent for inspection and adaptation; reducing its frequency would hinder the team’s ability to remain aligned.
D. Make Daily Scrum an optional meeting for the Developers to attend:The Daily Scrum is mandatory for the Developers to inspect and adapt their plan, and making it optional undermines its importance.
Who makes the final decision on ordering the Product Backlog?
Options:
Lead Developer
Scrum Master
Product Owner
Developers
Answer:
CExplanation:
TheProduct Ownerhas the final authority toorder the Product Backlogto maximize value. They are responsible for ensuring that the most valuable and important work is prioritized so that the Scrum Team delivers maximum value in each Sprint.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide:
The Product Owner is accountable formanaging the Product Backlog, which includes ordering items to best achieve the Product Goal.
While the Developers may provide input, the final decision on ordering lies with the Product Owner.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Lead Developer:Scrum does not have a "Lead Developer" role or accountability.
B. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates and coaches but does not manage or order the Product Backlog.
D. Developers:While Developers provide input during refinement and Sprint Planning, they do not have the authority to order the Product Backlog.
What is the purpose of the Sprint Retrospective?
Options:
Inspect how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools and Definition of Done
Plan the incomplete work for the next Sprint and submit reasons to the Product Owner
Explain what Backlog items have been done and what has not been done
Identify Developers who did not perform well in the Sprint
Answer:
AExplanation:
TheSprint Retrospectiveis a formal opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. This event focuses oncontinuous improvementby reviewing processes, collaboration, tools, and their adherence to the Definition of Done.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Sprint Retrospective serves the following purposes:
Toinspecthow the last Sprint went in terms of individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and the Definition of Done.
To identify andagree upon actionable improvementsthat will increase the team's effectiveness in future Sprints.
Why the other options are incorrect:
B. Plan the incomplete work for the next Sprint and submit reasons to the Product Owner:This is not the purpose of the Sprint Retrospective. Sprint Planning is the event where the team plans the upcoming Sprint.
C. Explain what Backlog items have been done and what has not been done:This describes the Sprint Review, where the team discusses completed and incomplete Product Backlog Items with stakeholders.
D. Identify Developers who did not perform well in the Sprint:Scrum encourages collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement, not blaming individuals for shortcomings.
Which of the Scrum Values is most demonstrated when a Team completes a task before moving on to the next one?
Options:
Commitment
Focus
Respect
Courage
Answer:
BExplanation:
TheScrum Valuemost demonstrated when a team completes a task before moving on to the next one isFocus. In Scrum, the team is expected to focus on the work required to meet the Sprint Goal. Completing one task at a time shows that the team prioritizes their attention and energy on delivering work of high quality, avoiding multitasking and distractions.
According to the2020 Scrum Guide, focus is one of the five Scrum Values, which include:
Commitment: Dedication to the goals of the team and the Sprint.
Focus: Concentrating on the work at hand to ensure maximum productivity and value.
Respect: Valuing each team member and their contributions.
Courage: Facing challenges and delivering value despite uncertainties.
Openness: Transparency in communication and progress.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Commitment:While commitment is important, the act of completing a task before moving to the next one primarily demonstrates focus rather than commitment to goals.
C. Respect:Respect refers to valuing team members and their contributions, not the practice of completing one task at a time.
D. Courage:Courage involves tackling difficult challenges or speaking up, but it is not directly related to task completion.
