Who owns the Sprint Backlog? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
D
According to Scrum.org, the Developers own the Sprint Backlog12. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers1. It is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint in order to achieve the Sprint Goal1. Consequently, the Sprint Backlog is updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned1.
What is a Product Owner typically responsible for during a Sprint? (choose the best two answers)
Correct Answer:
BD
✑ The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
✑ A Sprint is a timebox of one month or less within which a “Done” product Increment is created. A Sprint consists of the Sprint Planning, Daily Scrums, the development work, the Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective. A Sprint is also a feedback loop that allows the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to inspect and adapt the product and the process.
✑ During a Sprint, a Product Owner is typically responsible for:
✑ The other options are not valid or relevant responsibilities of a Product Owner during a Sprint. They are either too administrative, micromanaging, or unrelated to the product value delivery. They are:
References:
✑ Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
✑ Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
✑ Sprint: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-in-scrum
✑ Stakeholders: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/stakeholders
✑ Daily Scrum: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-daily-scrum
What three things might a Scrum Product Owner focus on to ensure the product delivers value?
(choose the best three answers)
Correct Answer:
ABC
✑ The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for managing and refining the Product Backlog, collaborating with the stakeholders and the Developers, and ordering the items in a way that best achieves goals and missions. The Product Owner represents the interests of everyone with a stake in the product and ensures that the Scrum Team works on the right things at the right time.
✑ To ensure that the product delivers value, a Scrum Product Owner might focus on the following aspects:
✑ The other options are not valid or relevant aspects that a Scrum Product Owner might focus on to ensure that the product delivers value. They are either too narrow, unrealistic, or unrelated to the product value delivery. They are:
References:
✑ Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
✑ Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
✑ Value: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/value-scrum-value
✑ Velocity: https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/velocity
Which is NOT a valid consideration when ordering a Product Backlog? (choose the best answer)
Correct Answer:
D
✑ The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of truth for the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. It contains all the requirements, features, functions, enhancements, fixes, and anything else that can deliver value to the customers and users of the product.
✑ The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog. The Product Owner orders the items in the Product Backlog based on factors such as value, risk, priority, dependency, feedback, or market conditions. The order of the Product Backlog items provides a clear and consistent indication of what is most important and urgent for the product. The order of the Product Backlog items also helps the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to plan and forecast effectively.
✑ The tools and techniques used to create, manage, or refine the Product Backlog are not a valid consideration when ordering the Product Backlog. The tools and techniques are means to an end, not an end in themselves. The tools and techniques do not affect the value or quality of the product or service delivered. The tools and techniques may vary from one Product Owner to another, depending on their preferences, skills, or context. The tools and techniques may also change over time, as new technologies or practices emerge or evolve.
References:
✑ Scrum Guide: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html
✑ Product Backlog: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog
✑ Product Owner: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner
True or False: During the Sprint Review the stakeholder's role is to reorder the Product Backlog.
Correct Answer:
B
During the Sprint Review, the stakeholder’s role is not to reorder the Product Backlog, but rather to provide feedback and suggestions on the product and the process. Therefore, the answer is false because:
✑ The Sprint Review is an informal meeting, not a status meeting, and the presentation of the Increment is intended to elicit feedback and foster collaboration. The stakeholders are invited to attend the Sprint Review as observers, participants, or customers, and they can share their opinions, ideas, or requests regarding the product and its features, functionality, quality, value, etc.
✑ The ordering of the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner. They order Product Backlog items to best achieve goals and missions. The Product Owner may consider the feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders, as well as other factors such as dependencies, risks, costs, etc., when ordering the Product Backlog. However, they are not obliged to follow or implement them.
✑ The Product Backlog is not a fixed or final list of requirements, but rather an emergent and dynamic artifact that represents all the possible changes to the product. The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes refining, communicating, and optimizing the Product Backlog items. The Product Owner may update the Product Backlog at any time, not only during the Sprint Review.
References:
✑ Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The ordering of the items in the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner.”
✑ Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … ordering Product Backlog items; and ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.”
✑ Scrum Guide 2020, page 15: “The Sprint Review is an informal meeting, not a status meeting, and the presentation of the Increment is intended to elicit feedback and foster collaboration.”