Prioritization Techniques

Correct Answer: Collaborate with the team to identify and mitigate the dependencies, thus, enabling them to prioritize effectively.

The best approach the Scrum Master should adopt in case of dependencies obstructing priority is to collaborate with the team to identify and mitigate those dependencies. This would enable the team to prioritize effectively. In Scrum, the Scrum Master acts as a facilitator for the team and removes impediments that the team might be facing. The other options are not typically effective strategies. Allowing the team to pick stories randomly does not follow the Scrum prioritization of work, which may lead to lesser priority tasks being completed earlier. Convincing the team to work overtime to finish all stories contradicts the sustainable pace principle of Agile, potentially leading to a burnout. Forcing the team to follow priorities regardless of dependencies might not be practical or even possible since dependencies might prevent the team from starting or completing some tasks.

Correct Answer: Facilitate a meeting between the Product Owner and the stakeholder to understand and prioritize the backlog items based on value.

As a ScrumMaster, your job is to promote and support Scrum by helping everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values. In a situation where there is a disagreement on the prioritization of features between the Product Owner and the stakeholder, facilitating a meeting between them is a good solution. They can discuss and understand each other's point of view and find a mutual accord on prioritizing the backlog items based on value and importance. The Product Owner's role is to streamline the efforts of the team by defining goals and prioritizing the backlog while taking into account the stakeholders' interests. This cannot be fulfilled by merely agreeing with the Product Owner or the stakeholder since that would mean disregarding the other's perspective. Moreover, it is not the ScrumMaster's place to decide the priorities themselves as it contradicts the principles of Scrum where the Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog.

Correct Answer: Explain to the Product Owner the impact of mid-sprint changes on the team's focus and ability to meet the sprint goal, and propose limiting changes

The best approach is to explain to the Product Owner the impact of mid-sprint changes on the team's focus and ability to meet the sprint goal, and propose limiting changes. Constantly changing priorities mid-sprint can disrupt the team's work, reduce their focus, and jeopardize the sprint goal. The Scrum Master should facilitate a conversation with the Product Owner to understand the reasons behind the changes and find a balance between accommodating important updates and maintaining a stable sprint. Advising the Product Owner to continue providing regular priority updates without considering the impact on the team is not a good solution. While coaching the team to be more adaptable is helpful, it doesn't address the root cause of the issue. Extending the sprint duration to accommodate changes may lead to longer feedback loops and reduced agility.