Free Practice Questions for Scrum PSPO-I Exam

Sprint 0 is a term that some organizations use to describe a phase of work before the first official Sprint, where they do some upfront planning, design, architecture, or analysis1. However, this term is not consistent with the Scrum framework, which does not prescribe any pre-Sprint activities or phases2. Scrum starts with a Product Backlog that contains at least one valuable and feasible Product Goal, and enough Product Backlog items to initiate the first Sprint[3][3]. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers, and for managing the Product Backlog4. The Product Owner does not have any specific accountability during Sprint 0, because Sprint 0 is not a part of Scrum.

References:

1: Sprint Zero: A Good Idea or Not?, Scrum Alliance, accessed on December 16, 2023

2: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 5

[3][3]: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 9

4: The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 6

The Product Owner should care that the Scrum Team adheres to its Definition of Done because:

It helps to forecast the team’s productivity over time. By having a clear and consistent Definition of Done, the Product Owner can measure the amount of work that the team can deliver in each Sprint and plan accordingly.

It affects the product’s total cost of ownership. By ensuring that the work done by the team meets the quality standards and expectations of the stakeholders, the Product Owner can reduce the risk of technical debt, rework, defects, and maintenance costs in the future.

References:

Scrum Guide 2020, page 10: “The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … ordering Product Backlog items; and, ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 14: “The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment. If a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review. Instead, it returns to the Product Backlog for future consideration.”

The ideal time for refinement to take place and who should participate are the Scrum Team during the current Sprint, if they have been unable during preceding Sprints to define Product Backlog items with enough precision to begin work, and the Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items that are ready for selection. This is because:

Product Backlog refinement is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to Product Backlog items. It is an ongoing and collaborative process that involves the whole Scrum Team.

The Scrum Team should refine the Product Backlog as needed to ensure that there are enough items that are sufficiently clear and ready for selection in Sprint Planning. The amount of time spent on refinement usually varies from one Scrum Team to another, but it is recommended not to exceed 10% of the capacity of the Developers.

The Scrum Team may also use a Sprint to refine the Product Backlog if they have not been able to do so in previous Sprints. This may happen when the product is new or complex, or when there is a significant change in the product vision or direction. However, this should be an exception rather than a rule, as it may delay the delivery of value and feedback.

Other options, such as business analysts doing the refinement work for the Scrum Team, the Product Owner doing the refinement alone in Sprint 0 or between Sprints, or handing off the ownership of the Product Backlog to someone else, are not consistent with the principles and values of Scrum. They may lead to misunderstandings, misalignment, or loss of ownership and accountability.

References:

[Scrum Guide], page 11, section “Product Backlog”

[Scrum Guide], page 12, section “Product Backlog Refinement”

[Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 7, section “Product Backlog Management”

[Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 8, section “Release Management”

[Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Training], page 9, section “Business Strategy”

The Daily Scrum is held at the same time and same place because:

The consistency reduces complexity. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can avoid wasting time and energy on scheduling, logistics, or coordination issues. They can also establish a routine and a rhythm that helps them focus on their work and their Sprint Goal.

The consistency increases transparency. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can ensure that everyone is aware of when and where the meeting takes place, and that everyone has an opportunity to participate and share their progress, plans, and challenges. They can also invite other stakeholders or observers, if they find it useful, to provide feedback or support.

The consistency enhances collaboration. By having a fixed time and place for the Daily Scrum, the Developers can create a safe and comfortable space for them to communicate, interact, and collaborate with each other. They can also build trust, rapport, and accountability among themselves, and foster a sense of team spirit and ownership.

References:

Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “The Daily Scrum is held at the same time and place each day to reduce complexity.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: “The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Developers. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting.”

The Scrum Team should have all the skills needed to turn Product Backlog items into a valuable, useful Increment, as this is the primary goal of each Sprint. The Scrum Guide states that "The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. Within a Scrum Team, there are no sub-teams or hierarchies. It is a cohesive unit of professionals focused on one objective at a time, the Product Goal."1 The Scrum Team should be cross-functional, which means that the Developers have all the skills necessary to create a product Increment.1 The Scrum Team should also be self-managing, which means that they decide how best to accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the Scrum Team.1

References:

1: The Scrum Guide2, page 6

2: The Scrum Guide

The Scrum Master should allow the Developers to self-manage and determine for themselves what to do because:

It respects the autonomy and empowerment of the Developers. The Developers are accountable for organizing and managing their own work, and they are the best people to decide how to conduct their Daily Scrum. The Scrum Master should not impose or dictate how the meeting should be set up or run, as that would undermine the self-organization and collaboration of the Developers.

It supports the continuous improvement and adaptation of the Developers. The Developers are expected to inspect and adapt their process and practices, and to find ways to overcome any challenges or impediments they face. The Scrum Master should not solve the problems for them, but rather facilitate their problem-solving and learning abilities.

It aligns with the role and responsibilities of the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum, and for helping everyone understand and enact Scrum theory, values, principles, and practices. The Scrum Master is not a manager or a leader of the Developers, but rather a servant-leader who enables them to work effectively.

References:

Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “The Developers are accountable for … organizing and managing their work.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 12: “The Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work. This creates focus and improves self-management.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: “The Daily Scrum is an internal meeting for the Developers. If others are present, the Scrum Master ensures that they do not disrupt the meeting.”

Scrum Guide 2020, page 7: “The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the organization.”

According to Scrum.org, the Developers who will be doing the work are responsible for the sizing of Product Backlog items1. The Product Owner may influence the Developers by helping them understand and select trade-offs1. This implies that the Developers size the items after clarifying requirements with the Product Owner1.

Sprints are fixed-length events of one month or less that serve as a container for the other Scrum events and activities. Sprints have consistent durations throughout a development effort. A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint. There is no gap or downtime between Sprints. The second Sprint starts right after the first Sprint, regardless of the customer acceptance testing, the architectural changes, or the Product Backlog items.

References:

The Scrum Guide

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I Certification