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Scrum in Practice

Scrum implementation guide

This section discusses practical aspects of Scrum implementation; from starting a first Sprint, delivering a Done increment, to addressing common challenges.
5 minutes 5 Questions

Scrum in Practice represents the real-world application of the Scrum framework, transforming theoretical concepts into actionable processes. At its core, Scrum operates through fixed-length iterations called Sprints, typically 1-4 weeks long, where teams deliver valuable increments of working produ…

Concepts covered: Product Increment, Scrum Retrospective, Scrum Events, Empiricism in Scrum, Velocity in Scrum, Daily Stand-up, Scrum Sprints, Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog, Product Owner in Scrum, Scrum Team, Sprint Review

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PSM I - Scrum in Practice Example Questions

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Question 1

A Scrum team has delivered a Sprint with excellent results, but only utilized half of the items in the Sprint Backlog. What should have been done differently?

Correct Answer: The Scrum team should aim to select only the amount of work they believe they can finish in a Sprint based on past performance.

The correct approach in Scrum is for the team to forecast the work they believe they can complete within a Sprint, based on their past performance and capacity. This ensures that the team is not overcommitting and can maintain sustainable pace, while ensuring a potentially releasable Increment is created. Adding more work mid-Sprint or adjusting the Sprint length contradicts Scrum's empirical process of adaptation based on the team’s actual capacity and past velocity. Consulting stakeholders or adjusting velocity isn't related to how a team handles its Sprint commitment.

Question 2

As a Scrum Master, you noted that the team delivered lower value items in the latest Sprint. How do you use empiricism to correct this in the next Sprint?

Correct Answer: Review and analyze the Sprint Burndown Chart together with the team to identify the pace at which value is delivered.

The correct answer leverages empiricism, which emphasizes inspection and adaptation. Reviewing the Sprint Burndown Chart helps the team to inspect their progress towards the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan accordingly. This action is aligned with empirical process control. Allocating specific items to team members or instructing the Product Owner to rearrange the backlog does not actively engage the team in empirical problem-solving and learning. Increasing the duration of the Daily Scrum is not in line with Scrum Guide recommendations and may not directly address the issue of delivering lower value items.

Question 3

As a Scrum Master, your team is unable to understand some items in the Product Backlog. During the Sprint, the team discovered that they are working on a wrong premise because of this confusion. What is the best immediate action to take?

Correct Answer: Review the relevant Product Backlog items with the Product Owner and collaboratively adjust the Sprint tasks as necessary.

In Scrum, transparency, inspection, and adaptation are fundamental. Reviewing the misunderstood Product Backlog items with the Product Owner allows for immediate clarity and necessary adjustments in tasks. The wrong answers, while related to Scrum concepts, do not provide the appropriate immediate action for the described situation. Halting the Sprint or waiting until a misunderstanding naturally resolves aren't recommended actions. Although conducting a blameless Post-Mortem is valuable for process improvement, it doesn't directly solve the immediate issue of working under a wrong premise within the current Sprint.

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