Coordinating Work in a Nexus
In a Nexus framework, coordination among Scrum Teams is essential to ensure the successful integration of their work into a single product. The Scrum Master plays a vital role in facilitating this coordination without directly managing the teams’ work.
Exam Question
A Nexus with five Scrum Teams has been created to build one product. A few of the Developers on one of the Scrum Teams ask the Scrum Master how to coordinate their work with the other Scrum Teams. What should the Scrum Master do?
(choose the best answer)
A. Collect the Sprint tasks from the Scrum Teams at the end of their Sprint Planning and merge that into a consolidated plan for the entire Sprint.
B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to work with the other Scrum Teams to create an Integrated Increment.
C. Teach the Product Owner to work with the lead Developers on ordering the Product Backlog in a way that avoids too much technical and development overlap during a Sprint.
D. Have the Nexus Integration Team visit all Scrum Teams daily to observe cross-team dependencies and shift the teams’ work.
Correct Answer
B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to work with the other Scrum Teams to create an Integrated Increment.
Explanation
Correct Answer
B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to work with the other Scrum Teams to create an Integrated Increment:
The Nexus framework emphasizes self-management and accountability. The Scrum Teams are responsible for coordinating their work with other teams to create an Integrated Increment. The Scrum Master should coach the teams on their responsibilities and facilitate communication and collaboration among them, rather than consolidating plans or shifting work daily.
Why the Other Options Are Less Effective
A. Collect the Sprint tasks from the Scrum Teams at the end of their Sprint Planning and merge that into a consolidated plan for the entire Sprint:
This approach contradicts the self-managing nature of Scrum Teams and places unnecessary control in the hands of the Scrum Master. Each team should be responsible for their planning and coordination.
C. Teach the Product Owner to work with the lead Developers on ordering the Product Backlog in a way that avoids too much technical and development overlap during a Sprint:
While it is essential for the Product Owner to order the Product Backlog effectively, avoiding overlap alone is not sufficient for ensuring proper coordination and integration. Teams must collaborate continuously to manage dependencies and integration issues.
D. Have the Nexus Integration Team visit all Scrum Teams daily to observe cross-team dependencies and shift the teams’ work:
This method is overly prescriptive and diminishes the teams’ autonomy. The Nexus Integration Team supports the teams in managing dependencies but should not control or shift their work on a daily basis.
Benefits of Self-Managed Coordination
- Empowerment: Teams feel empowered and take ownership of their work.
- Better Collaboration: Continuous interaction among teams fosters collaboration and mutual support.
- Adaptability: Teams can adapt to changes more effectively when they manage their coordination.
Relevance to the SPS Exam
Understanding the role of the Scrum Master in facilitating coordination without direct control is crucial for the SPS exam. It demonstrates knowledge of scaled Scrum practices and the principles of self-management and collaboration in a Nexus.
Key Takeaways
- Scrum Teams in a Nexus are responsible for coordinating their work to create an Integrated Increment.
- The Scrum Master should coach and facilitate collaboration, not control or shift the work of the teams.
- Effective coordination empowers teams, improves collaboration, and enhances adaptability.
Conclusion
In a Nexus, effective coordination among Scrum Teams is vital for creating an Integrated Increment. The Scrum Master’s role is to facilitate and coach the teams, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and collaborate effectively. For more information on preparing for the SPS exam, visit our Scaled Professional Scrum SPS™ Exam Prep.
