Handling Workload Capacity in Sprint Planning
During Sprint Planning, it’s crucial for the Developers to recognize their capacity and adjust the workload accordingly to ensure successful delivery. This article explores the valid actions when the workload may exceed the capacity of the Developers.
Exam Question
As the Sprint Planning progresses, the Developers realize that the workload may be greater than their capacity to complete the work. Which two are valid actions?
(choose the best two answers)
A. Recruit additional Developers before the work can begin.
B. The Developers ensure that the Scrum Team is aware, start the Sprint, and monitor progress.
C. The Developers work overtime during this Sprint.
D. Cancel the Sprint.
E. Remove or change selected Product Backlog items.
Correct Answer
B. The Developers ensure that the Scrum Team is aware, start the Sprint, and monitor progress.
E. Remove or change selected Product Backlog items.
Explanation
Correct Answers
B. The Developers ensure that the Scrum Team is aware, start the Sprint, and monitor progress:
This option emphasizes transparency and continuous inspection. By making the Scrum Team aware of the capacity issue, they can collectively monitor progress and adapt as necessary during the Sprint. This approach aligns with the principles of empirical process control in Scrum.
E. Remove or change selected Product Backlog items:
Adjusting the scope of the Sprint by removing or changing Product Backlog items ensures that the workload matches the Developers’ capacity. This action maintains the focus on delivering a potentially releasable Increment by the end of the Sprint.
Incorrect Answers
A. Recruit additional Developers before the work can begin:
Recruiting additional Developers is not a valid action within the context of a single Sprint. Team composition should remain stable to ensure continuity and effectiveness.
C. The Developers work overtime during this Sprint:
Working overtime is not a sustainable solution and goes against the principle of maintaining a sustainable pace. Scrum promotes a work-life balance to ensure long-term productivity and team morale.
D. Cancel the Sprint:
Canceling the Sprint is an extreme measure and is generally not considered a viable option simply due to workload concerns. The Scrum Team should first attempt to adjust the scope or approach to meet the Sprint Goal.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: The Product Owner ensures that the Product Backlog is well-ordered and refined. They collaborate with the Developers to prioritize work that maximizes value.
- Scrum Master: The Scrum Master facilitates the Sprint Planning meeting and ensures that the Scrum Team adheres to Scrum principles. They help the team manage their workload and remove impediments.
- Developers: The Developers are responsible for selecting the Product Backlog items they believe they can complete during the Sprint. They are self-managing and decide how to adjust the workload to fit their capacity.
Relevance to the PSPO II Exam
Understanding how to handle workload capacity during Sprint Planning is crucial for the PSPO II exam. It demonstrates knowledge of effective Sprint Planning, maintaining a sustainable pace, and ensuring transparency within the Scrum Team.
Key Takeaways
- The Scrum Team should continuously inspect and adapt their progress during the Sprint.
- Adjusting the scope of the Sprint to match the Developers’ capacity ensures successful delivery.
- Maintaining a sustainable pace is essential for long-term productivity and team morale.
Conclusion
Handling workload capacity effectively during Sprint Planning is critical to the success of a Scrum Team. By ensuring transparency and adjusting the scope as needed, the team can deliver valuable Increments while maintaining a sustainable pace. For more information on preparing for the PSPO II exam, visit our PSPO II Exam Prep.