Answering: “A Scrum Team is finding it difficult to get work done because team members are distracted by being pulled away to handle work requested by other teams. The team has been regularly failing to deliver on their Sprint Goals. As a Manager, if the Scrum Team asks you for help what should you do to solve this problem?”

Managing Interruptions in a Scrum Team

As a manager, addressing interruptions that hinder a Scrum Team’s ability to meet their Sprint Goals is crucial. This article explores how to help a Scrum Team that is regularly failing to deliver on their Sprint Goals due to being pulled away for other work.

Exam Question

A Scrum Team is finding it difficult to get work done because team members are distracted by being pulled away to handle work requested by other teams. The team has been regularly failing to deliver on their Sprint Goals. As a Manager, if the Scrum Team asks you for help what should you do to solve this problem?
(choose the best two answers)
A. Ask for more people on the team to compensate for the interruptions.
B. Work with the Scrum Team and other teams to find ways to re-assign the interrupting work to people outside of the Scrum Team.
C. Make their Sprints longer to account for the interruptions.
D. Coach the Scrum Team to be more conservative in defining their Sprint Goal, to account for the time team members will need to spend doing other work.
E. Extend the length of a Sprint if they need more time to complete the Sprint Goal.

Correct Answers

B. Work with the Scrum Team and other teams to find ways to re-assign the interrupting work to people outside of the Scrum Team.
D. Coach the Scrum Team to be more conservative in defining their Sprint Goal, to account for the time team members will need to spend doing other work.

Explanation

Correct Answers

B. Work with the Scrum Team and other teams to find ways to re-assign the interrupting work to people outside of the Scrum Team:
Interruptions from other teams can significantly impact the productivity and focus of a Scrum Team. By working to re-assign these tasks to other people outside the Scrum Team, you help the team maintain their focus and commitment to their Sprint Goals. This approach also respects the principle of team self-management and allows the Scrum Team to remain dedicated to their planned work.

D. Coach the Scrum Team to be more conservative in defining their Sprint Goal, to account for the time team members will need to spend doing other work:
Helping the team to set more realistic and achievable Sprint Goals, considering the likelihood of interruptions, is a practical approach. This coaching can involve teaching the team how to buffer their capacity planning to accommodate expected interruptions, thereby increasing the likelihood of meeting their commitments.

Incorrect Answers

A. Ask for more people on the team to compensate for the interruptions:
Adding more people to the team does not address the root cause of the interruptions and can introduce additional challenges, such as increased coordination and integration efforts. It also does not help the team learn how to manage interruptions effectively.

C. Make their Sprints longer to account for the interruptions:
Extending the length of Sprints to accommodate interruptions undermines the predictability and rhythm of the Scrum process. It is better to address the interruptions directly and maintain consistent Sprint lengths.

E. Extend the length of a Sprint if they need more time to complete the Sprint Goal:
Similar to making Sprints longer, extending a Sprint length as needed disrupts the regular cadence and can lead to planning and predictability issues. Scrum emphasizes fixed-length Sprints to provide a regular, predictable schedule for delivery and review.

Agile Leadership Insights

  • Empowerment: Effective Agile leaders empower teams to make their own decisions about team formation and responsibilities. This leads to higher engagement and accountability.
  • Collaboration: Encourage open discussions about product goals and team composition. Collaboration during the team formation phase sets the foundation for a collaborative working environment.
  • Diversity: Promoting diverse skills and experiences within teams fosters innovation and problem-solving capabilities. Agile leaders should ensure that teams have a balanced mix of skills and perspectives.
  • Support: Provide the necessary support and resources for teams to self-organize effectively. Agile leaders should be facilitators, helping teams navigate challenges without imposing solutions.

Relevance to the PAL I Exam

Understanding how to manage interruptions and maintain focus on Sprint Goals is crucial for the PAL I exam. It demonstrates knowledge of effective team management, prioritization, and maintaining the integrity of the Scrum process.

Key Takeaways

  • Reassign interrupting work to people outside of the Scrum Team to maintain focus.
  • Coach the Scrum Team to set realistic Sprint Goals considering potential interruptions.
  • Maintain consistent Sprint lengths to preserve the predictability and rhythm of the Scrum process.

Conclusion

Helping a Scrum Team manage interruptions involves reassigning work to other teams and coaching the team to set realistic Sprint Goals. This approach maintains the focus and integrity of the Scrum process. For more information on preparing for the PAL I exam, visit our Professional Agile Leadership PAL Iâ„¢ Exam Prep.

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