Impediment Visibility

Correct Answer: Use a common virtual tool that allows real-time tracking and updating of impediments.

The best approach to enhance impediment visibility across a distributed Scrum team is to 'use a common virtual tool that allows real-time tracking and updating of impediments'. This approach enables all members to have real-time updates about the impediments regardless of their geographical location. It also fosters transparency and maximizes the efficiency of removing these impediments. The other options are not ideal: 'asking team members to send their impediments via email at the end of each day' does not provide real-time updates and these emails might get lost in the daily workflow. 'Organizing a weekly conference call to discuss the impediments' delays addressing and resolving impediments, and in Scrum we want to remove impediments as soon as possible to not affect the sprint commitment. 'Handling the impediments locally and avoiding informing remote team members' is outright harmful as it goes against the principle of transparency in Scrum.

Correct Answer: Create a visible impediment board and communicate it to all stakeholders.

As a ScrumMaster, one of your many roles is to remove the obstacles hindering the team's progress. By creating a visible impediment board and communicating it to all stakeholders ('Create a visible impediment board and communicate it to all stakeholders.'), you make sure that everyone stays informed about the issues at hand, fostering transparency and accountability. This way, potential solutions can be discussed and implemented expeditiously. Contrastingly, 'Ignoring the impediments and continuing with the project.' without considering the potential repercussions, would possibly derail the entire project. Sharing the information only with the team and ignoring the stakeholders ('Share the information with the team and ignore the stakeholders.') would not be a wise move as it might foster distrust and discomfort in the team. Finally, 'Reporting the impediments to higher management and waiting for their action.' wouldn't be the best immediate action as it might slow down the process and take away team's control over their work, which is against the principles of Scrum.

Correct Answer: Highlight the impediment on the board and discuss its possible impact during the Scrum meeting.

The recommended course of action in such a situation is for the ScrumMaster to highlight the impediment on the board and discuss its possible impact during the Scrum meeting. This is in line with their role as a facilitator and blocker-remover within the team. Ignoring the impediment (as mentioned in the statement 'Side with the Product Owner and ignore the impediment.') is not constructive and goes against Agile principles of transparency and continuous improvement. Arguing with the Product Owner during the meeting could lead to conflict, negatively affect the team dynamics and is not a professional way of handling the situation. Reporting the Product Owner's behavior to the human resources department is an extreme measure that should be reserved for severe cases, such as harassment or unethical behavior, not differing opinions on the importance of an issue. Therefore, the answer 'Highlight the impediment on the board and discuss its possible impact during the Scrum meeting' is the best course of action.