Scrum Guide Review

What is a Product Backlog?

A list of the new features, changes to existing feature, bug fixes, infrastructure changes or other activities that a team may deliver in order to achieve a specific outcome.

What is the main benefit of having incremental deliveries of "Done" products?

A potentially useful version of a working is always available.

What is the result of the Sprint Review?

A revised Product Backlog that defines the probable Product Backlog items for the next Sprint and is adjusted overall to meet new opportunities.

The Daily Scrum optimizes the probability that the _______________________________________.

Development Team will meet the Sprint Goal.

Who developed Scrum?

Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland

Artifacts defined by Scrum are specifically designed to do what?

Maximize transparency of key information so that everybody has the same understanding of the artifact.

Characteristics of a Development Team: they are self-organizing (why?)

No one (not even the Scrum Master) tells the Development Team how to turn Product Backlog into increments of potentially releasable functionality

Whose responsibility is it for the Development Team to understand items in the Product Backlog to the level needed?

Product Owner

The Scrum Team consists of a __________________________, the __________________________, and a __________________________.

Product Owner, Development Team, and a Scrum Master

The Scrum Master serves the organization by helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact ________________________________________.

Scrum and empirical product development (note: be familiar with all other ways that the Scrum Master serves the organization on pg. 8)

Pillar 1: Transparency - why does Scrum require aspects of the process to be defined by a common standard?

So observers share a common understanding of what is being seen. (note: read transparency examples at the top of pg. 5)

What is the role of the Scrum Master in the Sprint Retrospective?

The Scrum Master ensures that the event takes place and that attendants understand its purpose. The Scrum Master ensures that meeting is positive and productive, and teaches all to keep it within the time-box.

What happens to incomplete Product Backlog items when a Sprint is cancelled?

They are re-estimated and put back onto the Product Backlog

When do Sprint Retrospectives occur? How long are these meetings?

They occur after the Sprint Review and prior to the next Sprint Planning.

What are the lower and upper ends for number of people in a Development Team. (why?)

Three and Nine - Lower than three decreases interaction and results in smaller productivity gains, and can possibly cause skill constraints which will prevent the release of a potentially releasable increment - Having more than nine members requires too much coordination

What is a Sprint Goal?

an objective that will be met within the Sprint through implementation of the Product Backlog

In order to ensure continuous improvement, the Sprint Backlog always includes what?

at least one high priority process improvement identified in the previous Retrospective meeting.

Pillar 2: Inspection - Scrum users must frequently inspect Scrum artifacts and progress toward a Sprint goal to ____________________________.

detect undesirable variances

What is the Scrum Master responsible for in Sprint Planning?

ensuring that 1) the event takes place 2) the attendants understand its purpose 3) the planning is kept within the time-box

By the end of the Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team should have identified _________(what?)__________.

improvements that it will implement in the next Sprint.

Pillar 3: Adaptation - adaptations must occur when one or more aspects of a process deviate ___________________________, meaning that resulting product will become ____________________.

outside acceptable limits; unacceptable

Scrum makes clear the relative efficacy of your _________________________ and ________________________ so that you can continuously improve the product, the team, and the working environment.

product management; work techniques

The Scrum Master serves the Development Team by coaching them in _________________________ and ________________________, and also helping them create __________________________.

self-organization; cross-functionality; high-value products (note: be familiar with all other ways that the Scrum Master serves the Development Team on pg. 8)

Pillar 2: Inspection - Inspections are most beneficial when diligently performed by _________________________(who)?

skilled inspectors at the point of work

Daily Scrum meetings optimize _____________________________ and _______________________________ by inspecting the work since _________(when?)___________ and forecasting upcoming Sprint work.

team collaboration; performance; since the last Daily Scrum

Characteristics of a Development Team: they are cross-functional (why?)

they possess all the skills as a team necessary to create a product Increment

Pillar 1: Transparency - significant aspects of the process must be visible to ___________________ (who?).

those responsible for the outcome

Three pillars uphold every implementation of empirical process control:

transparency, inspection, and adaptation

The Product Owner must ensure that the Product Backlog is ____________________ and ____________________, showing what the Scrum Team will work on next.

visible; transparent

Product Backlog items that can be "Done" by the Development Team within one Sprint are deemed ______________________________ in a Sprint Planning.

"Ready" for selection

Give the full definition a Sprint (three main points)

- A time-box of one month or less during which a "Done", useable and potentially releasable product Increment is created. - Each Sprint has a goal of what's to be built, along with a design and flexible plan that will guide building the resultant product increment. - Sprints are limited one calendar month, thereby preventing complexity from arising, reducing risk, and limiting cost.

What are some aspects of Product Backlog management? (be familiar with)

- Clearly expressing Product Backlog (PB) items - Ordering the items in the PB to best achieve goals and missions - Optimizing the value of the work the Development Team performs

Be familiar with ways scrum has been used worldwide.

- Research and identify viable markets, technologies, and product capabilities - Develop products and enhancements - Release products and enhancements, as frequently as many times per day - Develop and sustain Cloud and other operational environments for product use - Sustain and renew products

What two topics are discussed in Sprint Planning?

- What can be delivered in the Increment resulting from the upcoming Sprint? - How will the work needed to deliver the Increment be achieved?

What are some questions that the Development Team can ask during Daily Scrum to gage progress toward the Sprint Goal?

- What did I do yesterday that helped the Development Team meet the Sprint Goal? - What will I do today to help the Development Team meet the Sprint Goal? - Do I see any impediment that prevents me or the Development Team from meeting the Sprint Goal?

What would be some conditions for when a Sprint Goal becomes obselete?

- a company changes direction - market or technology conditions change

What is the Product Owner of a Scrum Team responsible for?

- maximizing the value of the product resulting from work of the Development Team - managing the Product Backlog

What are the inputs to the Sprint Planning meeting?

- the Product Backlog - the latest product increment - projected capacity of the Development Team during the Sprint - past performance of the Development Team

What two components make up the Sprint Backlog?

- the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint - the plan for delivering those items

List the 5 components of a Sprint.

1) Sprint Planning 2) Daily Scrums 3) development work 4) Sprint Review 5) Sprint Retrospective

What are the four formal events for inspection and adaptation as prescribed by Scrum?

1) Sprint planning 2) Daily Scrum 3) Sprint Review 4) Sprint Retrospective

What are the five Scrum values?

1) commitment 2) courage 3) focus 4) openness 5) respect (note: read last paragraph on pg. 5 for how these values must be implemented)

The three purposes of the Sprint Retrospective are:

1) inspect how the last Sprint went with regards to people, relationships, process, and tools 2) identify and order the major items that went well and potential improvements 3) create a plan for implementing improvements to the way the Scrum Team does its work.

How long are Daily Scrum meetings? Who are they for? How often are they held? What is done during these meetings?

15-minute time boxed events for the Development Team that are held everyday of the Sprint. The Development team plans work for the next 24 hours.

What is meant by a "Product Backlog is never complete" ?

Although the earliest development of the PB lays out the first-known and best-understood requirements, it is constantly evolving as changes to the PB are identified.

What are some elements of the Sprint Review?

Be familiar with all Sprint Review elements located on pg. 13

What is meant by "Scrum Teams are cross-functional" ?

Cross-functional teams have all competencies needed to accomplish the work without depending on others not part of the team.

What do the Scrum Team and stakeholders do during Scrum Review?

Discuss what was done in the Sprint along with any changes made to the Product Backlog during the Sprint. Then, Sprint Review attendees collaborate on the next things that could be done to optimize value.

(T/F) Within each Development Team, it is possible to create sub-teams that address different issues of the product.

False; Scrum recognizes no sub-teams in the Development Team, regardless of domains that need to be addressed like testing, architecture, operations, business analytics

(T/F) Scrum recognizes specific titles for members within a Development Team.

False; Scrum recognizes no titles for Development Team members, regardless of the work being performed by the person

(T/F) The Development Team ensure that the Daily Scrum meeting happens, but he Scrum Master is responsible for conducting the Daily Scrum.

False; The Scrum Master ensures that the Development Team has the meeting, but the Development Team is responsible for conducting the Daily Scrum.

(T/F) A new Sprint typically starts when a new "Done", useable, and potentially releasable product Increment is needed.

False; a new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.

(T/F) Due to the short duration of Sprints, cancellation is usually always a good option.

False; due to the short duration of Sprints, cancellation rarely makes sense.

(T/F) Lower ordered Product Backlog items are usually clearer and more detailed than higher ordered ones.

False; higher ordered Product Backlog items are usually clearer and more detailed than lower ordered ones.

(T/F) the Sprint Backlog cannot be modified throughout the Sprint.

False; the Development Team modifies the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint, helping the Scrum Team learn more about the work needed to achieve the Sprint Goal.

(T/F) The Product Owner and Scrum Master are always included in the Development Team count.

False; they are only included in this count unless they are also executing the work of the Sprint Backlog.

A Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint to ______________________ and ___________________________.

Inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog

What is Product Backlog refinement and who takes part in this?

It's the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to items in the Product Backlog. This is an ongoing process in which the Product Owner and Development team collaborate.

What is meant by "Scrum Teams are self-organizing" ?

Self-organizing teams choose how to best accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the team.

During a Sprint, no changes can be made that endanger the _____________________ or decrease the ________________________.

Sprint Goal; Quality Goals

Who is responsible for all estimates during the Product Backlog refinement period?

The Development Team is responsible, but the Product Owner may influence them by helping them understand and select trade-offs.

Who is responsible for monitoring the Sprint Progress? How often is work tracked?

The Development Team tracks the total work at least for every Daily Scrum in order to project the likelihood of achieving the Sprint Goal.

Define what is an Increment.

The Increment is: 1) the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and 2) the value of the increments of all previous Sprints.

Define what the Product Backlog is and state who's responsible for it.

The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. The product owner is responsible for the Product Backlog, including its content, availability and ordering.

Showing how the Sprint Backlog is modified: As new work is required, the Development Team (does what?). As work is performed or completed, (what happens?) When are elements of the Sprint Backlog removed?

The development team adds it to the Sprint Backlog. The estimated remaining work is updated. When the elements are deemed unnecessary.

The Product Owner tracks the total work remaining during a given sprint, and compares this amount to what? Why does the Product Owner do this? Who is this information presented to?

The product owner compares this amount with work remaining at previous Sprint Reviews. This is done to assess progress toward completing projected work by the desired timeline. This information is made transparent to all stakeholders.

(T/F) All Scrum Events are time-boxed events, such that every event has a maximum duration.

True

(T/F) For monitoring progress of towards goals, only what has happened may be used for forward-looking decision making.

True

(T/F) The Scrum Master teaches the Development Team to keep the Daily Scrum within the 15-minute time-box.

True

(T/F) The Sprint Backlog is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Development Team plans to accomplish during the Sprint, and it belongs solely to the Development Team.

True.

Scrum is a framework within which people can address __________________________, while productively and creatively delivering __________________________.

complex adaptive problems; products of the highest value

List some of the many applications of Scrum:

develop software, hardware, embedded software, networks of interacting function, autonomous vehicles, schools, government, marketing, managing the operation of organizations

Although Scrum is lightweight and simple to understand, it is __________________________.

difficult to master

Sprint Planning is time-boxed to a maximum of _______________________ for a one-month Sprint.

eight hours

The Sprint Review is intended to elicit _____________________ and foster _________________________.

elicit feedback and foster collaboration

Scrum is founded on empiricism, or ________________________________________.

empirical process control theory

Empiricism asserts that knowledge comes from ________________________ and making decisions based on _______________________.

experience; what is known

The Product Backlog lists all ___________________, _____________________, ________________________, ______________________, and _______________ that are to be made in future releases.

features; functions; requirements; enhancements; and fixes

What are some things that cause changes to the Product Backlog?

feedback from the marketplace, changes in business requirements, or new technology

The Sprint Backlog is a _____________________ by the Development Team about what functionality will be in the next Increment and the work needed to deliver that functionality into a ______________________________.

forecast; "done" increment

The Sprint Review is at most a _____(how long?)______ meeting for one month Sprints, but for shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter.

four-hour

In order to satisfy the Sprint Goal, the Development Team implements __________________________ and ______________________________, but if the work turns out to be different than the Development Team expected, they collaborate with the Product Owner and _______________________________________ (do what?)

functionality; technology; negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog.

More precise estimates are made to the Product Backlog for items based on _________________________ and _________________________.

greater clarity and increased detail

By the end of the Sprint Planning meeting, the Development Team should be able to explain to the Product Owner and Scrum Master how _________________________________________________.

how it intends to work *as a self-organizing team* to 1) accomplish the Sprint Goal and 2) create the anticipated Increment

During each Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team plans ways to increase _________________________ (what? and how?)

increasing product quality by improving work processes or adapting the definition of "Done"

The Daily Scrum is a key __________________ and ____________________ meeting.

inspect and adapt; Daily Scrums improve communications, eliminate other meetings, identify impediments to development for removal, highlight and promote quick decision-making, and improve the Development Team's level of knowledge.

Each event in Scrum is a formal opportunity to ______________________ and ______________________ something, thereby enabling critical __________________________.

inspect and adapt; transparency

Scrum Teams deliver products __________________________ and _____________________________; thereby maximizing ________________________.

iteratively; incrementally; opportunities for feedback

Requirements never stop changing, which is why the Product Backlog can be characterized as a _____________________________.

living artifact.

The Product Owner is one __________________, not a _______________________. (know what is meant by this)

person; not a committee - The product owner may represent the desires of a committee in the Product Backlog, but those wanting to change a Product Backlog item's priority must address the Product Owner.

The only person capable of cancelling a Sprint before the time-box is over is the ________________________, but this person may be influenced by ___________________________, ___________________________, or _________________________.

product owner; stakeholders; the development team; or the Scrum Master

The Scrum Master is responsible for __________________________________.

promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide.

The essence of Scrum is a _____________________ of people that is highly flexible and adaptive.

small team

The Sprint Goal provides guidance to the ___________________________________ on why it is building the Increment.

the Development Team

The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by ensuring that goals, scope, and product domain are understood as well as possible by everyone on _______________________.

the Scrum Team (note: be familiar with all other ways that the Scrum Master serves the Product Owner on pg. 8)

(T/F) the Sprint Retrospective provides an informal opportunity to focus on transparency.

the Sprint Retrospective provides *a formal* opportunity to focus on *inspection and adaptation*.

By the end of the Sprint Planning meeting, work planned for _________________________ (what portion of the Sprint) is decomposed, often to units of ______________________.

the first days of the Sprint; one day or less

Scrum Events are prescribed events used to create regularity and minimize __________________________ (what?)

the need for meetings not define in Scrum

What does the Development Team determine during the Sprint Planning meeting?

the number of items selected from the Product Backlog

The Development Team consists of professionals who do the work of delivering _________________________ (what? and when?).

what - a potentially releasable increment of a "Done" product when - at the end of each Sprint