Scrum of Scrums

5 minutes 5 Questions

Scrum of Scrums is a scaled agile technique used when multiple Scrum teams are working on the same product or project. Representatives of each team, usually Scrum Masters, convene for these meetings with a frequency that suits their needs, typically daily or weekly. The meeting is time-boxed and fo…

Guide on Scrum of Scrums

Scrum of Scrums (SoS) is a technique used in Scrum framework to scale the methodology to larger groups. This concept is essentially a Scrum meeting for multiple Scrum teams working on the same project.

Importance: SoS is vital because it promotes communication and coordination among different teams, thereby ensuring that everyone is going in the same direction towards the project objective. It also assists in highlighting and addressing dependencies or obstacles that could slow down progress.

How it works: In SoS, representatives (usually Scrum Masters) from each Scrum team engage in a daily meeting to discuss their work and issues, just as they would in a daily Scrum meeting. The aim of this is to give each team a broader view of the project's progress.

Exam Tips - Answering Questions on Scrum of Scrums:
1. Understand the main purpose of SoS – i.e., to coordinate and communicate among teams.
2. Keep in mind its format – a daily meeting with representatives from each team.
3. Focus on its role in helping to identify and resolve dependencies or impediments among teams.
4. Remember, the SoS is not a status meeting, but a platform for problem-solving and alignment.

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PSM I - Scrum of Scrums Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Scrum of Scrums

Question 1

In a large-scale Scrum organization, a critical bug has been discovered in the latest release. Who should be responsible for communicating this to the Scrum of Scrum teams?

The Scrum Masters of each team through the Scrum of Scrums The team that discovered the bug Creating a high-priority item in the Product Backlog to discuss in the next Sprint Planning A designated communication officer in each Scrum Team

Correct Answer: The team that discovered the bug

In a large-scale Scrum setup, the team that discovers a critical bug should communicate it to other teams, especially when it affects the entire organization. This ensures quick mitigation and fosters a collaborative environment. A designated communication officer is not a role defined in Scrum, making it an incorrect answer. The Scrum of Scrums is a coordination mechanism for Scrum Masters, but they are not primarily responsible for bug reporting across teams. Finally, waiting to discuss a critical bug as a backlog item in the next Sprint Planning could delay important fixes, making it an ineffective approach.

Question 2

Three teams in the Scrum of Scrums have dependencies and after 4 sprints, they are struggling to coordinate effectively. Considering the teams need to deliver a major feature in the next sprint, what should be the next step?

Establish a rotating Lead Team concept, where each sprint one team takes the lead in coordination, thereby reducing the overload on any single team and promoting better understanding amongst the teams. This approach goes beyond merely focusing on Dependencies and involves deeper collaboration and shared responsibilities, thus fostering a stronger sense of unity and collective ownership among the teams. Consequently, this method not only targets the immediate issue of coordination but also builds a solid foundation for tackling similar challenges in the future. Organize a cross-team refinement session to clarify dependencies and create a shared sprint goal. Implement a digital tool for better task management and visualization of the cross-team workflow. Conduct individual team retrospectives focusing only within each team to identify improvements.

Correct Answer: Organize a cross-team refinement session to clarify dependencies and create a shared sprint goal.

While organizing a cross-team refinement session supports direct communication and understanding of dependencies, leading to a clearer and mutually agreed upon sprint goal, the wrong options do not directly address the coordination issue in the context of an immediate need for delivery. Conducting individual retrospectives may improve internal team processes but doesn't solve cross-team dependencies. Implementing a digital tool might improve visibility but doesn't guarantee better coordination for the immediate next sprint. Introducing a rotating Lead Team helps foster collaboration but could be complex to implement in a short time frame and doesn't ensure immediate effective coordination for the upcoming sprint.

Question 3

In a Scrum of Scrums meeting, it was discovered that three Scrum teams have been working on the same product feature unintentionally. What would be the best course of action?

The Product Owners of the three teams should vote on which team should continue with the development of the feature. Implement a temporary freeze on development for the feature to assess the overlap and delays caused before proceeding. Each team should present their work to the Product Owner, who then decides based on the progress and quality of work which team should continue with the feature. This may involve combining efforts or reassigning tasks based on the teams’ strengths and current progress. Conduct a Backlog Grooming session with representatives from all three teams to clarify feature scopes and ensure alignment.

Correct Answer: Conduct a Backlog Grooming session with representatives from all three teams to clarify feature scopes and ensure alignment.

The best course of action is to ensure alignment and avoid duplication of effort. Conducting a Backlog Grooming session allows all teams to clarity on the feature scope and responsibilities, ensuring all efforts are aligned towards the product goal. The wrong answers, though plausible sounding, either do not address the root issue of misalignment and duplication or do not foster the collaborative spirit and transparency that Scrum advocates.

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