PSM II Practice Question

Optimize Daily Scrum Productivity: Scrum Master Guidance

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Question

A Scrum Master colleague of yours wants some guidance on what to do in the following situation. During the Daily Scrum, one Scrum Team member, who is a key central figure in the organization, drags on and on about things which actually are interesting but not relevant for the Daily Scrum, day after day. What are two suggestions you offer the Scrum Master? (choose the best two answers)

Answer

  • A. You suggest coaching the Developers to help them find a way to solve the problem, and own the solution.
  • E. You suggest taking the person aside and asking them what they believe the key outcomes are for the Daily Scrum. Effectively coaching them to help create focus during the Daily Scrum.

Explanation

Option A is correct because coaching the Developers encourages them to take ownership of the Daily Scrum process. By guiding them to address the issue collectively, they can establish norms that promote focused discussions. This builds a self-managing team culture, which is essential in Scrum. Option E is also correct as it involves directly addressing the issue with the key team member. By asking them about their understanding of the Daily Scrum's outcomes, the Scrum Master can facilitate a conversation that helps the individual realize the need for brevity and relevance in their contributions. This coaching can lead to a more effective Daily Scrum, as it aligns everyone's understanding of its purpose. The incorrect options likely miss the opportunity for collaborative problem-solving or fail to address the root cause of the issue directly, which can perpetuate distractions in the team.

Expert Author

SC

Sarah Chen

Certified Scrum Master & Agile Coach

Sprint ceremonies, team facilitation, impediment removal

Why Other Options Are Wrong
Option B suggests ignoring the issue, which is detrimental because it allows the behavior to continue unaddressed, potentially impacting the team's performance. Option C involves changing the Daily Scrum's format, which goes against the Scrum framework's principle of maintaining a consistent structure for the event. Option D suggests limiting participation, which undermines the collaborative spirit of the Daily Scrum. All these options fail to promote ownership and accountability within the team.
Real-World Application
In a Scrum team at a software development company, a senior developer consistently dominated the Daily Scrum with tangential discussions about industry trends. The Scrum Master took them aside and clarified the purpose of the Daily Scrum, leading to a more engaging and focused meeting where everyone could contribute relevant updates.
Common Pitfalls
  • Ignoring disruptive behaviors
  • Failing to coach team members
  • Changing Scrum events without consensus
  • Not reinforcing the purpose of the Daily Scrum
  • Overemphasizing individual contributions

Key Concepts

Self-management Daily Scrum purpose Coaching and facilitation Team accountability Focus on outcomes

Scrum Guide Reference

Scrum Guide 2020, Section 3.3 (Daily Scrum)

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