Back to Cross-functional Teams in Scrum

Active Communication

5 minutes 5 Questions

Active Communication is another critical concept in cross-functional Scrum teams. It implies that for a team to work successfully, they must maintain continuous, clear, and open channels of communication among themselves. The scrum meetings facilitate this, but it should also exist as a norm in the team's culture. Active communication makes sure that everyone's on the same page, issues or blockers are addressed timely, and there's an environment of collective problem-solving. Good communication also ensures transparency and trust within the team, which in turn increases productivity.

Guide to Active Communication in Cross-functional Teams

Active Communication is a fundamental aspect of scrum and cross-functional team operations.
Why it is Important: Active communication holds importance because it ensures better project management, reduces misunderstanding and resolves conflicts faster, leading to improved productivity and team synchronicity.
What it is: Active communication is a two-way information exchange where all members actively listen and respond to each other, fostering an environment of trust, openness, and respect.
How it works: It works on the principles of clarity, consistency, respect, and mutual understanding. The scrum master facilitates effective communication through regular meetings, discussions, and feedback sessions.
Exam Tips for Active Communication: While answering questions on active communication, illustrate with examples, emphasize on the importance, to Head Responses like advantages of active communication, provide a clear definition, and acknowledge the role of the scrum master. Always relate answers to problem-solving and improving team dynamics.

Test mode:
Start practice test
CSM - Cross-functional Teams in Scrum Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Question 1

During a sprint planning meeting, a team member asks a question but you notice it gets overlooked and ignored by the team. How should you handle this?

Correct Answer: Address the situation right away and help the team member get the answer he needs.

In a sprint planning meeting, if a team member's question is overlooked and ignored by the rest of the team, the best course of action is to address the situation right away and help the team member get the answer he needs. This encourages open dialogue, respect among team members, and collaborative problem-solving, principles which are at the heart of Agile and Scrum methodologies. Ignoring the situation and moving on with the meeting or answering the question privately after the meeting does not promote these principles, and may result in the team member feeling ignored or devalued. Reprimanding the team members for ignoring the question is also not a constructive method to handle the situation, as it creates a negative environment, which is not conducive to effective teamwork.

Question 2

A team member often complains about not being aware of important decisions due to missing out on impromptu meetings. How do you address this?

Correct Answer: Encourage the team to have planned meetings or share the minutes promptly after an impromptu meeting.

The best approach to address this issue is to encourage the team to have planned meetings or share the minutes promptly after an impromptu meeting. This solution creates an environment of transparency and ensures that no team member feels left out when significant decisions are made. It also encourages planning and organization within the team. Telling the team member to stay in the loop without missing out on impromptu meetings doesn't resolve the root problem, it only pushes the responsibility onto the individual. Similarly, warning the team to stop having impromptu meetings complete is an extreme measure that is not always practical or beneficial. Impromptu meetings can sometimes be necessary for quick decision-making. Lastly, blaming the team member for not actively seeking information promotes a toxic workplace environment where responsibility is not shared equally. Instead, it's better to find ways to improve group communication.

Question 3

A stakeholder is frequently asking for updates on the project and it is causing the team to lose focus on their work. How would you handle this situation?

Correct Answer: Propose a structured, regular update meeting with all stakeholders, freeing the team to focus on their tasks

The best way to handle a stakeholder who is frequently requesting updates and causing diversion from work is to propose a structured, regular update meeting with all stakeholders. This would allow the stakeholders to receive the necessary updates, while also allowing the team to concentrate on their tasks, making it the most reasonable and effective solution. The other answers are not ideal: Requesting the stakeholder to stop contacting the team could lead to communication problems and may come off as disrespectful. Leaving the issue to the team does not address the problem directly, as the stakeholder's interruptions may persist. Reporting to a line manager may escalate a solvable issue unnecessarily and may not prompt direct, helpful changes.

Go Premium

Certified ScrumMaster Preparation Package (2025)

  • 3861 Superior-grade Certified ScrumMaster practice questions.
  • Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
  • Unlock Effortless CSM preparation: 5 full exams.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
  • Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!
More Active Communication questions
10 questions (total)
Start 10 question test