PSM-II Practice Exam Questions with Answers Professional Scrum Master II Certification

• B: The Scrum Master coaches the Scrum Team and the organization how to work empirically. This is a true statement, as the Scrum Master is responsible for helping everyone understand and apply the principles and practices of Scrum, which is based on empirical process control. The Scrum Master can teach the Scrum Team and the organization how to use transparency, inspection, and adaptation to deliver valuable products in a complex environment.
• C: The Scrum Master facilitates Scrum events as requested or needed. This is a true statement, as the Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the timebox. The Scrum Master can facilitate the communication and collaboration among the Scrum Team and the stakeholders during the Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, page 6: “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.”
• Scrum Guide 2020, page 13: “The purpose of each event in Scrum is to create an opportunity for inspection and adaptation. These events are specifically designed to enable critical transparency and inspection.”
• Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 13: “The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team by facilitating the Scrum events and ensuring that they are effective and valuable.”

Using Scrum does not ensure that adding more resources to a project proportionally increases the value delivered. In fact, adding more resources may have the opposite effect, as it can introduce more complexity, communication overhead, coordination challenges, and integration issues12. Scrum values quality over quantity, and focuses on delivering the most valuable and feasible outcomes in a given timebox3 . Scrum also encourages teams to be self-organizing and cross-functional, which means that they can work autonomously and collaboratively without relying on external resources or dependencies3 .

References: 1: Adding more resources in Scrum will proportionally increase the value … 2: The Mythical Man-Month - Wikipedia 3: Scrum - What is it, how it works, & how to start - Atlassian : How Scrum Teams can Complement Scrum by Adding Practices, Tools and …

 Done means that the Increment is in a usable condition and meets the Scrum Team’s Definition of Done. The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment. Having an Increment that could be released to end users means that it is potentially releasable, which is one of the goals of Scrum. All work performed meets the Definition of Done means that the Developers have ensured that every Product Backlog item selected for the Sprint conforms to the agreed quality standards.

References:

• The Scrum Guide, November 2020, p. 10-11
• What is a Definition of Done?, Scrum.org, accessed on September 30, 2023
• DONE Understanding Of The Definition Of "Done”, Scrum.org, December 16, 2019

• B: Productivity, in terms of lines of code or story points, will probably suffer during the transition, although even then delivery of business value is still likely to increase. This is a realistic expectation, as the teams will need to learn new skills, collaborate more effectively, and adapt to changing requirements. However, the benefit of feature teams is that they can deliver working software that provides value to the customers and stakeholders every Sprint, rather than waiting for the integration of different components.
• C: Feature teams will require time to become productive as people from the different layers and components become accustomed to working and delivering unified functionality together, as one Scrum Team. This is a natural consequence of changing the team structure and culture, as the teams will need to overcome some challenges and conflicts, build trust and rapport, and establish a shared vision and goal. The Scrum Master can help the teams with this transition by facilitating communication, coaching, and mentoring.

References:

• Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 17: “Feature teams are cross-functional teams that can deliver end-to-end functionality for a product. They have all the skills and competencies needed to work on multiple layers of the system.”
• Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 18: “Component teams are teams that specialize in one layer or component of the system. They often depend on other teams to deliver a complete functionality for a product.”
• Professional Scrum Master II Course, page 19: “Feature teams have many advantages over component teams, such as faster feedback, higher quality, lower complexity, and more customer value.”

Coach the Product Owner that achieving the Sprint Goal is the Scrum Team’s objective. A forecast is only used to initially estimate the effort required to reach the Sprint Goal.

• This is true because the Scrum Master’s role is to help the Product Owner understand the Scrum framework and its principles, such as empiricism, self-organization, and collaboration12. The Scrum Master should also remind the Product Owner that the forecast is not a commitment, but a plan that can be adjusted based on the Sprint progress and feedback3 . The Scrum Master should focus on the value and outcome of the Sprint, rather than the output and scope.

References: 1: What is a Scrum Master? | Scrum.org 2: What is a scrum master? [+ Responsibilities] | Atlassian 3: [Scrum Guide | Scrum Guides] : What Is a Scrum Master (and How Do I Become One)? - Coursera

Scrum is a framework for addressing complex adaptive problems, such as product development, that require empirical process control and frequent inspection and adaptation. Scrum helps to mitigate the risks of:

• The timescale of the planned work (A), by delivering potentially releasable increments of value at the end of each Sprint, which is a fixed time-box of one month or less.
• The stability and complexity of the technology (B), by allowing the Development Team to self-organize and choose the best way to create a “Done” increment that meets the Definition of Done.
• The complexity and unpredictability of the requirements ©, by enabling the Product Owner to manage the Product Backlog, which is an ordered list of what is needed in the product and can change as more is learned about the product, users, market, and technology.
• The skills and working relationships of the people on the teams (D), by fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability among the Scrum Team members and stakeholders.

References: : [Scrum Guide], Introduction : [Scrum Guide], The Sprint : [Scrum Guide], The Development Team : [Scrum Guide], The Product Backlog : [Scrum Guide], Scrum Values

C. They are added to the Product Backlog and addressed throughout the next Sprints, combined with creating the business functionality in those Sprints, no matter how small that business functionality.

• This is a good way because it is consistent with the Scrum principle of empiricism, which means that the Scrum Team learns and adapts based on the actual outcomes and feedback, rather than following a predefined plan12. By adding these security concerns to the Product Backlog, the Product Owner can prioritize and refine them according to the value and urgency, and communicate them to the stakeholders. By addressing them throughout the next Sprints, the Scrum Team can deliver valuable and functional increments that also meet the security requirements34. D. During the Sprint Retrospective, the Scrum Team assesses how to add these expectations to the Definition of Done so every future Increment will live up to these requirements. If needed they can work with external specialists to better understand the requirements
• This is another good way because it is consistent with the Scrum value of openness, which means that the Scrum Team and the stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of the product vision, goals, progress, and risks12. By adding these expectations to the Definition of Done, the Scrum Team can ensure that every future Increment meets the quality standards and satisfies the stakeholder needs. By working with external specialists, the Scrum Team can also leverage their expertise and experience to better understand and implement the security requirements34.

References: 1: Scrum Values | Scrum.org 2: Scrum Values - Atlassian 3: Scrum Guide | Scrum Guides 4: Scrum - What is it, how it works, & how to start - Atlassian

 The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers of the Scrum Team to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work1. It is one of the five events of the Scrum framework and enables the three pillars of the empirical process of Scrum: transparency, inspection, and adaptation2. The Daily Scrum is not a status meeting, but a chance for the Developers to collaborate, coordinate, and plan their work3.

As a Scrum Master, you could help the Developers understand that lowering the frequency of communication will only increase the feeling of disconnect between the team members, especially when they are working from globally distributed locations. You could also coach the Developers on why a daily frequency is important as an opportunity to update the Sprint Plan and how it helps the team organize work toward achieving the Sprint Goal. You could suggest alternative conferencing tools or methods that are easily available and effective for the team. You could also facilitate the Daily Scrum by ensuring that it is positive, productive, and focused on the Sprint Goal.

Acknowledging and supporting this self-managing team’s decision might seem like a good option, but it would not help the team to improve their collaboration and alignment. Having the Developers vote to make sure there is consensus within the team might also seem like a democratic way to handle the situation, but it would not address the underlying issue of why the team wants to reduce the frequency of the Daily Scrum.

References:

• The Scrum Guide 2020, section “The Daily Scrum”
• What Is the Daily Scrum?, A Guide to the Daily Event - Scrum Alliance
• The Importance of Daily Scrum Meetings | Grata Software

 The best action for the Scrum Master to take in this situation is to conduct a session to help the Scrum Team resolve the conflict and create a uniform Definition of Done. This is because the Scrum Master is a servant-leader, a facilitator, and a coach to the team, who should have the skills to help resolve conflicts if called upon by the team1. The Scrum Master can employ various strategies to effectively resolve conflicts within the Scrum Team, such as promoting open communication, facilitating active listening, mediating disagreements, and fostering collaboration2. The Scrum Master can also remind the team members that conflicting ideas are natural and can be beneficial for innovation and learning, but making it personal does not help and violates the Scrum values of respect and openness3. The Scrum Master can guide the team to create a clear and shared Definition of Done that reflects their quality standards and expectations for the product4.

The other options are not the best actions for the Scrum Master to take, because they either undermine the self-organization and autonomy of the team, escalate the conflict, or avoid addressing the root cause of the problem.

 The best way to determine if the Product Owner is interacting with the Developers enough throughout a Sprint is to observe whether both parties are satisfied with the Increment. The Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal1. It must be usable and meet the Definition of Done1. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Developers1. The Developers are accountable for creating a valuable, useful, and potentially releasable Increment every Sprint1. Therefore, if both the Product Owner and the Developers are happy with the quality and value of the Increment, it means that they have communicated and collaborated effectively throughout the Sprint.

Some reasons why the other options are not correct are:

• A: The Developers should determine the percentage of time the Product Owner is required to be present and monitor whether the Product Owner’s average presence is around this figure. This option is not correct because it implies that there is a fixed or optimal amount of time that the Product Owner should spend with the Developers, which may not be true. The Product Owner’s interaction with the Developers may vary depending on the context, complexity, and uncertainty of the product and the Sprint. The Scrum Guide does not prescribe any specific time or frequency for the Product Owner’s involvement with the Developers1. The Product Owner should be available to provide guidance and feedback to the Developers as needed, but not interfere with their self-organization and autonomy1.
• B: Check the Daily Scrum reports to see whether the Product Owner was present at the majority of the Daily Scrum meetings. This option is not correct because it assumes that the Daily Scrum is a meeting where the Product Owner should be present, which is not true. The Daily Scrum is an event for and by the Developers12, not for reporting or accountability to anyone else. The Product Owner may attend as an observer or a collaborator, but only if invited by the Developers12. The presence or absence of the Product Owner at the Daily Scrum does not indicate how much they interact with the Developers throughout the Sprint.
• C: Observe whether the Developers need to ask the Product Owner questions at times other than during the Daily Scrum. This option is not correct because it implies that asking questions is a sign of insufficient interaction, which may not be true. Asking questions is a natural and healthy part of communication and collaboration between the Product Owner and the Developers. It shows that they are engaged, curious, and willing to learn from each other. It also helps them to clarify requirements, expectations, and feedback, and to resolve any ambiguities or conflicts. Asking questions does not necessarily mean that there is a lack of interaction, but rather that there is a need for more information or clarification.

References:

• What is an Increment? | Scrum.org
• What Is a Daily Standup? | A Guide to Running Effective Standup Meetings | Atlassian

 Respect is one of the Scrum values that means recognizing the value of each individual and their contribution, trusting them to fulfill their tasks, listening to and considering their ideas, and acknowledging their accomplishments. Respect also means honoring the diversity of people, their experiences, and their opinions. Respect facilitates collaboration, learning, and creativity in the Scrum Team.

Some statements that demonstrate respectful behavior in the Scrum Team are:

• Respect the accountabilities of the Scrum Team members. This means that each role in the Scrum Team has a clear set of responsibilities and expectations, and that other team members respect those boundaries and do not interfere with or undermine them. For example, the Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Developers, and the Developers respect that by following the Product Owner’s guidance on what to work on and what not to work on. The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide, causing change that increases the productivity of the Scrum Team, and working with other Scrum Masters to increase the effectiveness of the application of Scrum in the organization. The Developers respect that by adhering to the Scrum framework, being open to feedback and improvement, and collaborating with other Scrum Teams when needed.
• Respect people, their experience, diversity, and difference in opinion. This means that each person in the Scrum Team is valued as a skilled professional who brings unique perspectives and insights to the team. The team members respect each other’s expertise, skills, and ideas, and are willing to learn from each other and from their stakeholders. They also respect that people may have different opinions or preferences on how to approach a problem or a solution, and they seek to understand those differences rather than dismiss or ignore them. They engage in constructive dialogue and respectful disagreement when necessary, and they support team decisions even if they are not their personal choices.

Some statements that do not demonstrate respectful behavior in the Scrum Team are:

• Respect the Product Owner by letting them change the Sprint Goal during the Sprint. This is not respectful because it violates the Scrum framework and undermines the Developers’ autonomy and commitment. The Sprint Goal is a shared objective that provides guidance to the Developers on why they are building an Increment. It is crafted by the Product Owner in collaboration with the Developers during Sprint Planning, and it remains fixed for the duration of the Sprint unless a significant change occurs that invalidates it. Allowing the Product Owner to change the Sprint Goal during the Sprint would disrupt the focus and alignment of the Developers, introduce uncertainty and confusion, and reduce transparency and accountability.
• Respect stakeholder expectations that Scrum Teams will meet their forecast. This is not respectful because it implies that stakeholders have unrealistic or unreasonable expectations that are not based on empirical evidence or feedback. The forecast is a plan for what functionality will be delivered in an Increment by the end of a Sprint. It is based on what is known at Sprint Planning, but it is not a guarantee or a commitment. The forecast may change during the Sprint as new information emerges or as unforeseen challenges arise. The Scrum Team respects stakeholders by being transparent about their progress and any changes to their forecast, by delivering a valuable Increment at least by the end of every Sprint, by seeking feedback from stakeholders during Sprint Review, and by incorporating that feedback into future Sprints.

References:

• The Scrum Values
• Understanding the 5 Scrum Values
• Top 5 Scrum Values & Principles

 A self-managing Scrum Team is one that internally decides who does what, when, and how. It does not need external direction or supervision to accomplish its work. A self-managing Scrum Team can resolve conflicts and continue working, as this shows that the team members can collaborate effectively and handle disagreements without escalating them. Creativity flourishes and new possibilities are explored, as this shows that the team members are empowered to experiment and innovate, rather than following a fixed plan or process.

References:

• The Scrum Guide 20201, section “The Scrum Team”
• The Scrum Master Learning Path2, module “The Self-Managing Scrum Team”
• The Professional Scrum Master II Course3, topic “Self-Management”

A Scrum Master is not a management position in the traditional sense of the word. A Scrum Master does not have authority over the team members, the product, or the project. A Scrum Master is a servant leader who helps the team self-organize, collaborate, and deliver value. A Scrum Master is accountable for managing the Scrum process, ensuring that the team follows the Scrum values and principles, and facilitating the team’s interactions with stakeholders and the organization. A Scrum Master is also accountable for removing organizational impediments that limit the team’s progress and productivity, such as bureaucracy, silos, or conflicts. A Scrum Master is not accountable for reporting on the performance of a team, managing the project plan and the project deliverables, or managing the capacity and utilization of the Developers. These are responsibilities of the Product Owner, the Developers, or other roles in the organization.

References:

• Scrum Guide 2020, section “The Scrum Master”, “The Scrum Team”.
• What is a scrum master? [+ Responsibilities] | Atlassian, section “Scrum master responsibilities”.
• Scrum Master Roles and Responsibilities [2023] | Simplilearn, section “What Does a Scrum Master Do?”, “Scrum Master Responsibilities”.

A. Having one Product Owner will improve the clarity of accountability to the teams and to the product management department. This is a good suggestion, as it ensures that there is a single person who is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog. Having one Product Owner also avoids confusion, duplication, or conflict among multiple Product Owners who may have different visions, priorities, or expectations for the product.

D. A single Product Backlog should be maintained holding all requirements for the new product. This is also a good suggestion, as it ensures that there is a single source of truth for the product requirements and that they are transparent and visible to all stakeholders. Having a single Product Backlog also enables the Product Owner to order the items based on their value, risk, dependency, and urgency, and to collaborate with the Scrum Teams to select and refine the items for each Sprint.

References:

• The Scrum Guide, section 2.3 (The Scrum Team), page 7
• The Scrum Guide, section 4.1 (The Product Backlog), page 11
• The Scrum Master Learning Path, module 2 (The Scrum Framework), lesson 4 (Sprint Planning) and lesson 5 (The Sprint Review)

B. You inform management of organizational impediments that prevent the Scrum Team from being more productive. You enlist their help to remove these impediments.

• This is a good answer because it is consistent with the Scrum Master’s accountability to serve the Scrum Team and the organization by identifying and addressing the factors that hinder the team’s effectiveness12. By informing management of the organizational impediments, you can leverage their authority and influence to resolve them. By enlisting their help, you can also foster a collaborative and supportive relationship with them. C. You explain how a Scrum Team uses the velocity of a Sprint primarily to forecast work for the next Sprint, not to perfectly predict future productivity. You refer management to the Product Owner for all information concerning the progress of development.
• This is another good answer because it is consistent with the Scrum Master’s accountability to educate and coach the organization on the Scrum framework and its principles12. By explaining how velocity is used in Scrum, you can help management understand that it is not a reliable metric for measuring performance or comparing teams. By referring management to the Product Owner, you can also respect the Product Owner’s accountability to manage the product backlog and communicate the value and status of the product34.

References: 1: What is a Scrum Master? | Scrum.org 2: What is a scrum master? [+ Responsibilities] | Atlassian 3: What is a Product Owner? | Scrum.org 4: What is a product owner? [+ Responsibilities] | Atlassian : Scrum Guide | Scrum Guides