Scrum Theory

5 minutes 5 Questions

Scrum Theory is the understanding of Scrum’s principles and values. It’s based on the principles of empirical process control theory which insists on transparency, inspection and adaptation. The ScrumMaster requires sufficient knowledge of Scrum Theory to inform practice, answer team questions, and guide the team away from potential pitfalls.

Scrum Theory Guide and Exam Tips

Scrum Theory lies in the core of the Scrum framework, understanding it is fundamental not only for Scrum Masters, but for all members of the Scrum Team.

Importance: Understanding Scrum Theory is important as it is the foundation of all Scrum practices and rules. It allows individuals to understand why each Scrum element exists and how to use them to solve complex problems.

What it is: Scrum Theory is based on the empirical process control theory or empiricism. It asserts that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed. It is implemented through the three pillars of Scrum: Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation.

How it Works: In Scrum, work is divided into small manageable bits called Sprints. Throughout these Sprints, the Scrum Team regularly inspects the developing product and adapts the product backlog, environment, and practices accordingly to maximize product value.

Exam Tips on Scrum Theory: When studying for the exam, emphasize understanding the principles of empiricism, the definition of the roles in Scrum, the Scrum Artifacts, and the Scrum Events. To answer questions regarding Scrum Theory correctly, remember to always reference the three pillars of Scrum: Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation. Understand how these interact within Scrum's five values: Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness and Respect. Note: Real life examples tend to help a lot in remembering and answering questions on this topic. Lastly, consistent and thorough review of the Scrum Guide will provide exhaustive understanding and better results.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

Start practice test

Question 1

What principle is crucial for the Scrum Master to promote when the team faces conflicts arising from differing viewpoints of team members?

Facilitating constructive dialogue Recommending the team to follow the majority's opinion Setting up a formal conflict resolution meeting Encouraging private discussions between conflicting parties

Correct Answer: Facilitating constructive dialogue

The best principle for a Scrum Master to promote when the team faces conflicts arising from differing viewpoints of team members is facilitating constructive dialogue. This approach encourages open, candid discussions where each team member's viewpoints are heard and considered. It fosters a collaborative environment where solutions can be co-created. On the other hand, encouraging private discussions between conflicting parties might solve some issues but does not leverage the collective intelligence of the whole team or promote transparency. Setting up a formal conflict resolution meeting might be too structured and could intimidate some team members, potentially stifling open communication. Recommending the team to follow the majority's opinion could marginalize minority viewpoints and does not ensure the best solution is adopted, potentially eroding team cohesion over time. Therefore, facilitating constructive dialogue is the most effective and inclusive approach to resolving conflicts within a Scrum team.

Question 2

According to Scrum Theory, which of the following is the most important aspect for successful product delivery?

Empiricism Maximizing individual productivity by assigning tasks based on specialization Strict adherence to predefined roles and responsibilities A comprehensive upfront plan that covers all possible scenarios

Correct Answer: Empiricism

According to Scrum theory, empiricism is the most important aspect for successful product delivery. Scrum is founded on empirical process control theory, or empiricism, which asserts that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is known. Scrum employs an iterative, incremental approach to optimize predictability and control risk. The three pillars of empiricism in Scrum are transparency, inspection, and adaptation. A comprehensive upfront plan that covers all possible scenarios is not aligned with Scrum's empirical approach, which emphasizes adaptation based on feedback and learning. Strict adherence to predefined roles and responsibilities can hinder the flexibility and collaboration needed in Scrum teams. Maximizing individual productivity by assigning tasks based on specialization goes against Scrum's focus on cross-functional teams and collective ownership.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the three pillars of Scrum Theory?

Adaptation, which allows the Scrum Team to adjust their processes based on feedback Transparency Commitment Inspection

Correct Answer: Commitment

The three pillars of Scrum Theory are Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation. Commitment is not one of the three pillars. Transparency enables inspection by providing a clear and shared understanding of the current state and progress. Inspection allows the Scrum Team to detect undesirable variances or problems. Adaptation empowers the team to make adjustments to minimize further deviation or issues. While commitment is important in Scrum, it is not considered one of the three core pillars of Scrum Theory.

Go Premium