PSM Certification Exam 1
The Scrum Master is a participant in Sprint Retrospective. (True or False)
True Explanation All team members participate and try to find ways for improvement.
All work that the developers should do originate from the Product Backlog (True or False)
True Explanation Everything they do is identified by decomposing the Product Backlog items.
How long does the Sprint Planning take in a project with three-week Sprints?
8 hours for a one month sprint Explanation Sprint Planning is 8 hours for a one-month Sprint and usually shorter proportionally for shorter Sprints.
How can we ensure that the performance requirements are addressed in the solution? (Choose 2 answers) 1.) Add them to the definition of "Done" 2.) Add them as items to the Product Backlog 3.) Add a performance tester to the team 4.) Use Hardening Sprints to improve performance
Add them to the definition of "Done" Add them as items to the Product Backlog Explanation Performance, like security, scalability and maintainability is a non-functional feature. Non-functional features are normally added to the definition of "Done" because they apply to all functional features. For some non-functional features, such as performance, it's possible to create non-technical, independent items in the Product Backlog. This is usually done when we have to make an improvement in the previously done features.
The Product Owner can ask the developers to order the Product Backlog items instead of him/her. (True or False)
Explanation The Product Owner can delegate his/her responsibilities to the development team but he/she stays accountable.
When forming multiple Scrum teams, which two of the following are the most important considerations? 1.) Having proper size in each team 2.) Having an effective mixture of skill in each team to avoid dependencies 3.) Having a mixture of senior and junior developers in each team 4.) Having enough skills for the technical layer designated to the each team
1 and 2 Explanation All teams should be cross-functional with 3 to 9 members.
When should the Product Backlog items be refined? (choose 2 answers) 1.) Before The Sprint in which the item is suppose to be developed 2.) The business analyst do it before its time to develop them 3.) During the Sprint, if they have not been refined in the previous Sprints
1 and 3 Explanation Product Backlog refinement is a continuous activity. When an item is at the top of the backlog, which means it will be developed in the near future, more refinements are usually needed to make sure it is clear and contains just enough details (not all possible details). It's preferred to have the items that will be selected in the Sprint Backlog completely refined before Sprint Planning; however, it's OK to have more refinement done during the development. Remember that there's no such thing as Sprint 0 and there's no time between two Sprints that can be spent on something such as refinement. The team is also cross-functional and does the a-z of the work needed for each item, including refinement; they don't use people from other parts of the company.
A company has three products. Which two of the following are acceptable way of forming Scrum teams? 1.) There can be one Product Owner for each Product 2.) There should be one Product Owner for each product 3.) There can be a single Product Owner for all products 4.) There should be a single Product Owner for all products
1 and 3 Explanation When there's one product, there should be only one Product Owner, even if the product is large and there are many Development Teams. However, when there are multiple products, there are two options:a) considering them separate and have a Product Owner for each of them) have only one Product Owner for all of them and develop them like a larger project to ensure compatibility.
Which statement is least accurate about the definition of "Done"? 1.) It may evolve during the project 2.) It created by the Product Owner 3.) It may vary depending on the project 4.) It may be defined by the development organization
2 Explanation The definition of "Done" can be prepared in the development organization and used in all projects as a minimum. If additional content is required for the definition or it's not prepared in the organization level, the Development Team would be responsible for preparing it.The definition of "Done" can evolve during the project as more is learned. It's also dependent on the project and its environment.
Which statements are correct about Sprint Retrospective meeting? (Choose 2 answers) 1.) It happens before the Sprint review 2.) It's an opportunity for inspection and adaption 3.) It's time boxed to 3 hours for a one month sprint 4.) it's the only time improvement that are planned for the project 5.) The Product Owner doesn't have to be at the meeting
2 and 3 Explanation The Sprint Retrospective happens after the Sprint Review; it's the last event in the Sprint. It's time-boxed to three hours in a one-month Sprint and all Scrum Team members attend it.Its purpose is planning for improvements in the process (the way we're working), but it's not the only time we try to improve.Similar to Sprint Planning, Sprint Review and Daily Scrum, it's an opportunity for inspection and adaptation.
Which of the following describe the definition of "Done"? (choose 2 answers) 1) Help increase velocity 2) increases transparency 3) ensures everything is documented 4) helps ensure the increment is releasable
2 and 4 Explanation Definition of "Done" increases transparency because everyone knows what it means by "Done". It includes everything required for creating something usable by the end users (potentially releasable).
What does it mean to say a Product Backlog item is "Done"? (Choose 3 answers) 1.) The item is ready for functional testing by the Product Owner 2.) The item creates a software that is usable by the end user 3.) No work left based on the Definition of Done 4.) The item can be a part of a potentially releasable piece of software 5.) All tasks identified for the item are done 6.)The item is ready for user acceptance testing
2,3 and 4 Explanation Items are "Done" when they are complete based on the definition of "Done". In that case, they would have the potential of creating a releasable/shippable Increment that is usable by the end user. Tests are also part of the work and items are not "Done" before the tests are complete; even the user acceptance tests. Quality requirements are part of the work but not all of it (eg non-functional features and development processes are also part of the work). We cannot trust the identified tasks because we might have missed some tasks and the sum of them do not conform to the definition of "Done".
Pick 4 activities that are the responsibility of the Development Team. 1.) using Story Point estimations 2.) Provide estimates 3.) breakdown epic user stories into smaller ones 4.) design software 5.) make technical decisions 6) volunteer for tasks
2,4,5,6 Explanation Designing the software is part of the development and should be done by the developers. They are self-organized and make technical decisions and volunteer for tasks (assign them to themselves). Estimation is the responsibility of the developers because they are the people who will develop the item.
The Development Team cannot deliver the Increment because they don't understand a functional requirement. What should they do?
Collaborate with the Product Owner to solve the problem Explanation The Product Owner is responsible to make all items clear and understood. If the problem wasn't solved, then there's no option other than leaving it to go back to the Product Backlog at the end of the Sprint and be done later. The team is cross-functional and doesn't use external help. We don't deliver partially complete items; everything should be done based on the definition of "Done".
How complete should the Sprint Backlog be at the end of the Sprint Planning meeting?
Complete enough to show the work for the next few days Explanation Not all tasks are identified in the Sprint Planning; just enough to show what the development team is going to do in the next few days. The rest of the tasks will be created during the Sprint.
Which role is responsible for managing the Development Team?
Development Team Explanation The Development Team is self-organized and manages itself instead of receiving orders
The Sprint Backlog makes visible all of the work the ______ identifies as necessary to meet the Sprint Goal.
Development Team Explanation This is up to the developers to identify how to accomplish the goal. After all, they are the technical people in the project.The question is about the Sprint Backlog tasks, rather than items.
Who owns the Sprint Backlog?
Development team Explanation The Development Team owns the Sprint Backlog and the Product Owner owns the Product Backlog.
Who assigns tasks to the developers?
Development team Explanation The developers take responsibility for doing the tasks themselves and the Development Team ensures that all tasks are done properly. Remember that they are self-organized. When items are "Done", the Product Owner checked them but this is focused on the item rather than individuals; all developers are accountable for the team's outputs.
When is it time for integrating the solution?
During the Sprint Explanation Integration is part of the development of each item and a step in a normal definition of "Done". Agile projects use continuous integration to make the output potentially releasable.
What type of process control is Scrum?
Empirical Scrum is empirical; based on the real-world experiences.
Which of the following is not a pillar of Scrum?
Empiricism Explanation The three pillars of Scrum are adaptation, inspection and transparency. Scrum is based on empiricism but it's not one of the pillars.
When multiple teams are working on the same product, each team should have their own definition of "Done". (True or False)
False All teams can use the same definition of "Done" but if required they can have different definitions as long as they are compatible and capable of creating integrated Increments. The answer to this question would have been "true" instead of "false" if there was a "may" instead of "should".
It's up to the Development Team to decide which Scrum events are needed during the Sprint. (True or False)
False Explanation All Scrum events are necessary; they should never be removed.
The Product Owner is responsible for the definition of "Done". (True or False)
False Explanation If there's a definition of "Done" in the development organization that would be used for all projects. Otherwise, the Development Team would be responsible for creating one.Even when there's a definition of "Done" in the organization, it can be used as a minimum and the developer can add extra elements to it (eg to decrease technical debt).
The Product Owner and Scrum Master should not be part of the Development Team. (True or False)
False Explanation It's OK for one person to have more than one of the three Scrum roles even though it's not recommended. eg Product Owner and developer. Note: when we say that a sentence like this is false, it means that the opposite is right. However, remember that the opposite of "should not" is "may" rather than "should".
It's required to use user stories in Scrum. (True or False)
False Explanation It's a good idea to use user stories for describing the Product Backlog items but it's not required.
It's allowed to have team leaders when there are many developers working on a complex project. (True or False)
False Explanation No extra roles and titles are recognized in Scrum because it blocks self-organization, collaboration and accountability.
The Product Backlog is reordered by the stakeholders at the Sprint Review meeting. (True or False)
False Explanation Only the Product Owner can order the Product Backlog. This can be influenced by other stakeholders but the Product Owner always has the final say.
The Product Backlog refinement shouldn't take more than 10% of the Product Owner's time. (True or False)
False Explanation The Product Backlog refinement is done by the Product Owner and the Development Team. The rule is that it shouldn't take more than 10% of the developers' time. The Product Owner spends as much time as required on refinement.
The Sprint Review is the only time when stakeholder feedback is captured. (True or False)
False Explanation The Sprint Review is probably the most important opportunity for capturing feedback but adaptation is not limited to that. The Product Owner is constantly in contact with the stakeholders to identify new Product Backlog items or to refine them.
All interactions between the stakeholders and the Development Team should be through the Product Owner. (True or False)
False Explanation The interactions can be through the Product Owner or during the Sprint Review. Other interactions are discouraged as they distract the developers.
The purpose of the Daily Scrum is for the developers to inform the Product Owner of the progress.
False Explanation The main purpose of Daily Scrum is synchronization of the developers.
Scrum should be tailored for the project. (True or False)
False Explanation Unlike methodologies, the Scrum "framework" is not tailored because it's already limited to the essentials. Even the terms should not change let along adding or removing elements such as roles and events. However, you need to add many practices and techniques to the framework.
Our velocity was 250 at the end of the 6th Sprint. It has become 275 at the end of the 11th Sprint. Therefore, we're creating more value now, compared to the past. (True or False)
False Explanation Velocity and value are not related directly. Value is the benefit to cost ratio. Since we start with the most important items first, those remained for the 11th Sprint are expected to have less value compared to those delivered at the 6th Sprint.
The Sprint Backlog is baselined at the end of the Sprint Planning. (True or False)
False Explanation We don't baseline any artifact in Scrum. The Sprint Backlog is dynamic and changes during the Sprint to include newly identified tasks.
Conflict should be avoided at all cost on Agile teams. (True or False)
False Managed conflicts can be helpful to the project.
The Product Owner is responsible for preparing the Sprint Goal before the Sprint Planning. (True or False)
False The Sprint Goal is prepared during the Sprint Planning by the whole Scrum Team.
When does inspection occur?
Frequently, but not so often that it gets in the way of the work All Scrum events are opportunities for inspection and adaptation.Inspection makes adaptation possible and that's why it's important. However, like anything else in Agile, we just like to have "enough" of it.
Which of the following is not allowed in Scrum?
Hardening Sprints Explanation Hardening Sprints are not allowed because the subject of hardening should be continuously address throughout normal Sprints. All Sprints are the same in Scrum. Other options are not described in the framework but are good practices recommended for Scrum projects.
Which of the following is a valid service from the Scrum Master to the Product Owner?
Helping the Product owner find techniques for managing the product backlog Explanation The following are the Scrum Master services to the Product Owner as described in the Scrum Guide:-Finding techniques for effective Product Backlog management;-Helping the Scrum Team understand the need for clear and concise Product Backlog items;-Understanding product planning in an empirical environment;-Ensuring the Product Owner knows how to arrange the Product Backlog to maximize value;-Understanding and practicing agility;-Facilitating Scrum events as requested or needed.-These are mainly focused on coaching/training, rather than getting involved and helping someone do something.
Which of the following is a way of decreasing technical debt?
Improving the definition of "Done" Explanation There's usually room for improving the definition of "Done". A good definition will let less technical debt pass on to the next Sprints.Technical debt is minor shortcomings in the code that makes it less than "good enough" and therefore creates risks in the future. It usually decreases velocity in the future (because the team has to fix the shortcomings) and as some of the debt might remain in the final product, the maintenance cost will increase as well.Another Agile way of reducing technical debt is continuous refactoring.
How should developers deal with non-functional features?
Incorporate them into every increment Explanation Non-functional features are usually part of the Definition of Done and should be considered for every Product Backlog item and every Increment. Sometime, some non-functional features that address a very particular part of the software can be added as separate items in the Product Backlog.All Sprints are the same. There's no Sprint zero, hardening Sprint, release Sprint, integration Sprint, etc.
Teams A and B work on two different projects. Team A has 8 members, and a velocity of 600. Team B has 6 members, and a velocity of 500. Which team has a higher performance?
It depends Explanation The provided information is not enough. Velocity is defined locally and it's not possible to compare one team's velocity with the other.
Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint. However, the Development Team is trying to convince the Product Owner that the Sprint should be cancelled. What's the right response from the Scrum Master?
Its ok, Devs can have influence Explanation Only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint and the final decision belongs to him/her. However, this decision can be influenced by the customer, developers and Scrum Master.
Who's responsible for Gantt Charts in Scrum?
No one Explanation Gantt Chart is not a Scrum artifact and not compatible with the framework.
What is the prerequisite for starting the Sprint Planning meeting?
None We prefer to have "ready" items at the top of the Product Backlog before Sprint Planning, which is done through Product Backlog refinement. However, nothing stops our flow of Sprints. For example, we do not delay the Sprint because the items are not ready. In such cases, the "unready" items would be selected for the Sprint and refined during the Sprint."Ready" items are those that are clear and small enough to fit into one Sprint.
What happens when the Product Backlog is not clear enough at Sprint Planning?
Nothing; the Sprint would be planned anyway Explanation We prefer to have "ready" items at the top of the Product Backlog before Sprint Planning, which is done through Product Backlog refinement. However, nothing stops our flow of Sprints, for example, we do not delay the Sprint because the items are not ready. In such cases, the "unready" items would be selected for the Sprint anyway and refined during the Sprint. "Ready" items are those that are clear and small enough to fit into one Sprint.
Who can change the Sprint Backlog in the middle of the Sprint?
Only the Development team Explanation the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint do not change but the Sprint Backlog also contains tasks and tasks evolve through the Sprint. The Development Team owns the Sprint Backlog and only they can change the Sprint Backlog. This is sometimes done based on the input from the Product Owner.
The Product Owner has doubts about the quality of the definition of "Done". What should s/he do?
Point it out in the next sprint retro Explanation The Development Team is responsible for the definition of "Done" rather than the Product Owner. So, if the Product Owner doubts the quality of the definition of "Done", he/she can discuss it with the team on the next Sprint Retrospective, so that if they agree, it would be adjusted for the next Sprint.
Which Scrum artifacts are ordered?
Product and Sprint Backlog Explanation The Product Backlog is ordered (prioritized) based on the business value.The items in the Sprint Backlog follow the same order they had in the Product Backlog, therefore, are prioritized.
Who's in the Scrum Team?
Scrum Master, Dev Team and Product Owner
Which of the following is designed to synchronize multiple teams working on the same product?
Scrum of scrums Explanation Daily Scrum is for synchronizing inside a team and Scrum-of-Scrums is for synchronizing multiple teams working on the same product. When the Daily Scrum is over, one representative from each team goes to a higher level daily stand-up to discuss the issues among teams. Note: scrum.org has recently introduced its scaled Scrum framework called Nexus. It doesn't have a scrum-of-scrum as described here, while there might still be some questions about it in the exam.
What's the optimal length of a Sprint?
Short enough to minimize risk Explanation We prefer shorter Sprints as long as we can produce enough output. Shorter Sprints reduce the risk to the business.
Which of the following best describes transparency?
Significant aspects of the process must be visible to those responsible for the outcome Explanation Transparency is about visibility and doesn't contain understanding; even though we'd better try our best to create the right understanding too but that's another story. The "whole process" might be too much for some stakeholders; "significant aspects" is enough, as we treat most things in Agile environments.
Which of the following is the most important opportunity for capturing lessons learned?
Sprint Retro Explanation Lessons learned are always captured but the main purpose of Sprint Retrospective is capturing and planning for lessons learned.
Which of the following is the shortest timebox in a two-week Sprint?
Sprint Retro Explanation These are the duration in a two-week Sprint:- Sprint Planning: 4 hours- Sprint Review: 2 hours- Sprint Retrospective: 1.5 hours
Which of the following does NOT apply to/suit Scrum?
Static requirements Explanation Agile is all about depending on adaptation, instead of predictive (static, upfront) plan and design.
Who updates work remaining during the Sprint?
The Dev Team Explanation he Product Owner is responsible for measuring the progress of the project and tracking the remaining work in the Product Backlog. The Development Team is responsible for measuring the progress of the Sprint and tracking the remaining work in the Sprint Backlog.
Which of the following roles can set the definition of "Done"?
The Development Team Explanation The development organization may have a definition of "Done" composed for all projects in which case the team will use it as a minimum. Otherwise, the Development Team would be responsible for composing the definition of "Done". When multiple teams are working on the same product, there can be more than one definition of "Done", as long as they all have the minimums required by the development organization and can create an integrated Increment.
Who monitors the remaining work of the Product Backlog?
The Product Owner Explanation The Product Owner is responsible for measuring the progress of the project and tracking the remaining work in the Product Backlog.The Development Team is responsible for measuring the progress of the Sprint and tracking the remaining work in the Sprint Backlog.
Who creates the Sprint Goal?
The Scrum Team Explanation All Scrum Team members together compose the Sprint Goal during the Sprint Planning
If it's not possible to complete the Sprint Backlog, who would try to resolve it?
The dev team and PO Explanation First of all, it's OK of the Sprint Backlog is not complete until the end of the Sprint. However, we would try to complete it if it's possible. When the developers find out they are behind schedule they will ask the Product Owner for help and the two roles together will adjust the work (tasks), or reorder the times to make sure the highest value will be created at the end of the Sprint.
When multiple teams are working on the same product, who should make sure that their outputs can be integrated into one Increment?
The developers Explanation It's up to the developers to find their way and ensure that their outputs will create an integrated Increment that is potentially releasable.
Which statement is correct when the developers are working in the middle of the Sprint? 1.) The Sprint Backlog would be frozen 2.) No user acceptance test will be conducted until the end of the Sprint 3.) The scope may be clarified as more is learned
The scope may be clarified as more is learned Explanation During the Sprint, the Product Backlog items in the Sprint Backlog would not be added or removed but as more is learned, the scope may be clarified and re-negotiated between the Product Owner and Development Team. This is mainly focused on the interpretation of the Product Backlog items and the tasks created by decomposing them.
Which statement is right during the Sprint? 1.) Some sprint backlog items would be replaced with items from the Product Backlog, if the priorities change 2.) The scope maybe re-negotiated as more is learned 3.) Some Sprint backlog items would be moved back to the Product Backlog to be completed in future Sprints
The scope may be re-negotiated as more is learned Explanation During the Sprint, the Product Backlog items in the Sprint Backlog would not be added or removed but as more is learned, the scope may be clarified and re-negotiated between the Product Owner and Development Team. This is mainly focused on the interpretation of the Product Backlog items and the tasks created by decomposing them.
The Product Owner is using burn-up charts instead of burn-down charts. What would be your response as the Scrum Master?
There's nothing wrong with it. Explanation Burn-down charts are very common for tracking and representing progress, but they are not mandatory and the Product Owner can use other tools/techniques as well.
Which statement is correct when multiple Scrum teams are working on the same product?
There's only one Product backlog Explanation "One" project and "one" product has only "one" Product Backlog and "one" Product Owner. Otherwise, prioritization and accountability would be difficult.
What should happen to the "Done" Product Backlog items when the Sprint is cancelled?
They will be reviewed, and if they are potentially releasable, the Product owner typically accepts them Explanation The Development Team is responsible for the definition of "Done" rather than the Product Owner. So, if the Product Owner doubts the quality of the definition of "Done", he/she can discuss it with the team on the next Sprint Retrospective, so that if they agree, it would be adjusted for the next Sprint.
The Product Owner doesn't spend enough time on the project. Which of the following options is the best response from the Scrum Master?
Train the Product Owner why its important for him/her to spend enough time on the project Explanation The Scrum Master is responsible to train and coach team members on a proactive way and convince them to do the right thing. All other options are either reactive or not self-organized.
It is OK for the items at the bottom of the Product Backlog not to be as clear as those at the top. (True or False)
True Explanation Items at the bottom of the Product Backlog won't be developed soon, so, there's no need to spend too much time making them clear and add details; that would be some kind of upfront planning. Not that the items do not go to the bottom of the backlog because they are not clear or do not have enough detail; the only basis for order of items is the business value. When the item does not have enough detail and starts to go to the top of the Product Backlog, it should be refined by adding more detail.
Each new Sprint starts immediately after the previous Sprint. (True or False)
True Explanation Nothing happens between two Sprints; the next one starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous.
Ordering the Product Backlog items is part of the Product Backlog refinement. (True or False)
True Explanation Product Backlog refinement is defined in the Scrum Guide as the act of adding detail, estimates and order to the Product Backlog items. Remember that the Product Backlog refinement is an ongoing activity and is not time boxed. The rule is that it shouldn't take more than 10% of the developers' time.
Scrum is an iterative and incremental Agile framework. (True or False)
True Explanation Scrum is iterative because processes are repeated in each Sprint. It's incremental because it delivers the product in multiple incremental steps instead of in a big bang.And of course it's Agile (adaptive instead of predictive).
The Product Owner can delegate some of his/her responsibilities to the Development Team. (True or False)
True Explanation The Product Owner can delegate his/her responsibilities to the development team but he/she stays accountable.
When multiple teams are working on the same product, their Sprints should be synchronized, and their outputs should be integrated into one integrated Increment. (True or False)
True Explanation The output created by each team should be potentially releasable and then they will be packaged into one integrated Increment.This means that each Product Backlog item would be handled by one team and each team should be cross-functional.Teams should synchronize their Sprints in a way that reduces complexity. This could require them to start and finish their Sprints inthe same time.
Which element helps limit work-in-progress?
Using time boxes Explanation When working inside timeboxes, it's better to limit work-in-progress and get items done before going to the next ones; otherwise chances would be high that the team ends up with many in-progress items and not enough "Done" items at the end of the Sprint.Limiting work-in-progress is a lean concept that avoids waste.
Which of the following refers to the average amount of work done per Sprint?
Velocity Velocity is the amount of work (usually in "story points") done per Sprint. For example, 200 story points per Sprint.
When multiple Scrum teams are working on the same product, should all of their outputs be integrated every Sprint?
Yes Explanation All teams start and finish the Sprint within their defined timeboxes and their outputs would be combined and create an integrated Increment.
Which statements are correct about Product Backlog refinement? (Choose 2 answers) 1. should be done right before sprint planning 2. scrum master should facilitate it 3. shouldnt take mroe than 10% of dev teams time 4.multiple teams may participate
number 3 and 4 Explanation If multiple teams are working on the project, they will participate in the refinement as well. Refinement can take any amount of time from the Product Owner but not more than 10% of the capacity of the Development Team.Refinement is a continuous activity not limited to a certain time during the Sprint. The Scrum Master only facilitates the meetings as requested or required; not by default.
