PSPO I Practice Question

Scrum Product Owner Responsibilities: What Can Be Delegated?

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Question

A Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product that is the result of the work of the Scrum Team. Which of the following can be delegated to others, while the Product Owner remains accountable for the work?(choose the best two answers)

Options

  • A A. Developing and communicating the Product Goal.
  • B B. Attending the Sprint Review.
  • C C. Attending the Sprint Retrospective.
  • D D. Ordering Product Backlog items.

Answer

  • A. Developing and communicating the Product Goal.
  • D. Ordering Product Backlog items.

Explanation

The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the product's value, but certain tasks can be delegated. Option A, developing and communicating the Product Goal, can be supported by others, such as stakeholders or team members, while the Product Owner maintains accountability for the overall vision and direction. Option D, ordering Product Backlog items, may also be performed with input from the Scrum Team or stakeholders, but again, the Product Owner must ensure that the backlog reflects the priorities that maximize value. In contrast, Option B (attending the Sprint Review) is crucial for the Product Owner to engage with stakeholders and gather feedback directly, while Option C (attending the Sprint Retrospective) involves reflection on the team's processes, which the Product Owner should participate in to align on improvements. Thus, while the Product Owner can delegate tasks, accountability remains with them for the quality and strategic direction of the product.

Expert Author

SC

Sarah Chen

Certified Scrum Master & Agile Coach

Sprint ceremonies, team facilitation, impediment removal

Why Other Options Are Wrong
{'B': "Attending the Sprint Review is essential for the Product Owner to gather direct feedback from stakeholders and validate the product's progress, making it a critical responsibility that cannot be delegated.", 'C': 'Participation in the Sprint Retrospective allows the Product Owner to understand team dynamics and improvement opportunities. This involvement is necessary for fostering a collaborative environment, which the Product Owner cannot delegate.'}
Real-World Application
In a Scrum team working on a new software product, the Product Owner may delegate the task of drafting the Product Goal to a business analyst who gathers input from stakeholders. However, the Product Owner must review and approve the final goal to ensure it aligns with the product vision. Similarly, they might involve the team in backlog refinement but will ultimately prioritize the items themselves.
Common Pitfalls

Students often confuse delegation with abdication of responsibility, misunderstanding that while tasks can be delegated, accountability remains firmly with the Product Owner. Additionally, there is a tendency to overlook the importance of the Product Owner's presence in key Scrum events.

Key Concepts

Product Goal Product Backlog Management Accountability in Scrum Scrum Roles and Responsibilities Stakeholder Engagement

Scrum Guide Reference

Scrum Guide 2020, Section 4.3: The Product Owner

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