Back to Scrum in Non-Software Industries

Sprints

5 minutes 5 Questions

A Sprint, in the context of Scrum, is a specific period during which work has to be completed and made ready for review. For non-software industries, this can mean completing a prototype of a mechanical part or creating and finalizing a marketing strategy. The length of sprints is usually 2-4 weeks…

Guide: Sprints in Non-Software Industries

Sprints are a key component in Scrum methodology, initially devised for software development but now implemented across many other non-software industries.
Why it is Important: Sprints allow teams to work in focused bursts of activity, improving productivity and maintaining momentum. It helps to achieve project goals in a time-bound manner ensuring iterative progress. It also provides an opportunity for regular feedback and adjustment.
What it is: A Sprint is defined as a set period during which specific tasks or work must be completed and ready for review.
How it works: Work is divided incrementally into Sprints. Within each Sprint, the team collaborates to complete the predetermined tasks. At the end of the Sprint, work is reviewed, feedback is incorporated, and the next Sprint is planned.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Sprints: Be clear about the purpose of a Sprint in Scrum methodology. Always refer to it as a time-bound, focused effort to achieve certain tasks. It's not just about completing tasks, but also about Regular reviews and feedback which plays a crucial role. Make sure you understand how Sprints contribute to the overall iterative, incremental approach of Scrum and how they fit into the bigger picture.
Also, practical examples can earn you extra points, by showing your understanding of the concept, so don't shy away from using them in your answers.
Always remember, each Sprint is a project in itself.

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CSM - Sprints Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Sprints

Question 1

The Product Owner unexpectedly adds new tasks in the middle of a sprint. How should a ScrumMaster handle this?

Explain to the Product Owner that new tasks cannot be added during a sprint and suggest that they be added to the product backlog for future consideration. Accept the new tasks and ask the team to adjust their workload accordingly. Ignore the new tasks and continue with the current sprint. Tell the Product Owner that they are not allowed to suggest tasks.

Correct Answer: Explain to the Product Owner that new tasks cannot be added during a sprint and suggest that they be added to the product backlog for future consideration.

The correct approach for a ScrumMaster would be to explain to the Product Owner that new tasks cannot be added during a sprint. The tasks should be added to the product backlog for future consideration. This follows Agile and Scrum methodologies which emphasize on restricting scope change during the sprint iteration. The answer stating that the ScrumMaster should accept new tasks contradicts this principle and is therefore incorrect. Similarly, ignoring the tasks is not productive because it disregards the Product Owner's inputs when they may be important for the product development. The response that suggests refusing the Product Owner's right to suggest tasks is also incorrect because the Product Owner is a key stakeholder in Scrum methodology and their contribution is important for the product's success.

Question 2

Halfway into a sprint, the customer drastically changes the requirements. How should the ScrumMaster handle this?

The ScrumMaster should guide the team to incorporate the changes within the current sprint without consulting the product owner or re-evaluating the sprint goal. The ScrumMaster should facilitate a sprint planning meeting immediately to discuss the integration of the new requirements into the current sprint, potentially adjusting the sprint's scope. The ScrumMaster should suggest pausing the current sprint activities to evaluate the new requirements, allowing for a shift in the sprint goal if deemed necessary by the product owner and the development team. The ScrumMaster should advise the product owner to assess the impact of the change and decide if it should be added to the product backlog for consideration in future sprints.

Correct Answer: The ScrumMaster should advise the product owner to assess the impact of the change and decide if it should be added to the product backlog for consideration in future sprints.

In Scrum, while the sprint goal should remain fixed, the ScrumMaster plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of Scrum practices. The product owner prioritizes items in the product backlog, which includes possibly reprioritizing based on new requirements. The correct answer underscores the responsibility of the Product Owner to assess and prioritize changes without disrupting the current sprint. Wrong answers suggest actions that conflict with Scrum practices, such as integrating changes immediately or without proper backlog prioritization, or suggest altering the sprint's scope or pausing the sprint, both of which contradict Scrum's principles of maintaining the sprint's goal and time-boxing.

Question 3

Towards the end of a sprint, it becomes clear that the Scrum team is not going to meet the sprint goal. What should be the ScrumMaster's course of action?

The ScrumMaster should encourage the team to break down the remaining backlog items into smaller tasks to try and complete the sprint goal. The ScrumMaster should take over some of the pending tasks to help the team meet the sprint goal. The ScrumMaster should consult with stakeholders to extend the sprint duration for completing all planned items, emphasizing the importance of meeting the initial commitments. The ScrumMaster should work with the Product Owner and the team to assess whether the Sprint Goal can be adjusted, while ensuring the value delivery is maximized.

Correct Answer: The ScrumMaster should work with the Product Owner and the team to assess whether the Sprint Goal can be adjusted, while ensuring the value delivery is maximized.

The correct action for a ScrumMaster when a sprint goal is in jeopardy is to work collaboratively with the Product Owner and the team to potentially adjust the goal, ensuring that the most value is delivered within the sprint. Adding more tasks or team members, extending the sprint duration, or taking over work are not in line with Scrum principles. These actions may create further issues or set unrealistic expectations for future sprints.

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