Agile Contracts for Distributed Scrum

Correct Answer: Ensure that the team communicates regularly and transparently with the client about any changes that could impact the price.

The primary role of a Scrum Master in a Scrum team is not just to take complete control over matters or simply stay informed. Instead, a Scrum Master needs to ensure there is effective communication within the team and between the team and stakeholders. This includes discussions about any changes that could impact the price in a variable pricing model. Also, regular negotiation of lower prices with the client is not sustainable and can compromise the relationship with the client and the value of the team's work. So, the best answer is - 'Ensure that the team communicates regularly and transparently with the client about any changes that could impact the price.'

Correct Answer: Revisit the contract, discuss the expectations and timelines with the vendor again.

In an iterative contract, it is preferred to work collaboratively with the vendor to resolve any issues. Therefore, if a vendor is unable to deliver as per agreed iteration, the most viable option is to revisit the contract, discuss the expectations and timelines again to find out possibilities of how the issue can be addressed. This approach promotes communication and better understanding, which are core principles of the Scrum methodology. Canceling the contract and hiring a new vendor might be unnecessary at this stage without attempting to resolve the issue. Similarly, ignoring the vendor's delay is not a solution as it can create larger problems in the project timeline in the long run. Asking the vendor to make up for the delay in the next iteration is also unreasonable without understanding the root cause of the issue.

Correct Answer: Engage in a constructive dialogue with the vendor to identify root causes and collaboratively develop a corrective action plan.

In a Scrum project with a target cost contract, consistently failing to meet agreed upon quality standards is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The most appropriate action is to engage in a constructive dialogue with the vendor to identify the root causes of the quality issues and collaboratively develop a corrective action plan. This approach promotes transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement, which are key principles of Scrum. Terminating the contract immediately without attempting to resolve the issues goes against the spirit of collaboration and partnership. Continuing to work with the vendor without addressing the quality concerns is not a viable option, as it can lead to subpar deliverables and damage the project's success. Escalating the issue to senior management should be a last resort if the collaborative approach fails to yield results.