Assisting the Product Owner with Delays in a Complex Project

In a complex project involving multiple components and systems, delays can occur due to various reasons such as changes in interfaces and unavailability of testing infrastructure. As a Scrum Master, it is crucial to effectively manage such situations and support the Product Owner in addressing stakeholder concerns. This article explores a specific exam question about how a Scrum Master can help the Product Owner in a scenario where the team needs additional Sprints to deliver the functionality, providing detailed explanations and insights relevant to the PSM II exam.

Exam Question

Eight months ago your company started development of a new platform consisting of several components and systems. You are the Scrum Master on the team building the “core” application of the platform; your application connects all other systems. The Scrum Teams work in monthly Sprints, and the team is expected to deliver all functionality in three Sprints. Recently the team’s progress was slowed down because of changes to interfaces of other components that you integrate with, as well as unavailability of the program’s testing infrastructure. The program manager is extremely upset and angry when they find out that the team will need two more Sprints. The project managers of the other components confirm their adherence to the expected date. As a Scrum Master, what could you do to help the Product Owner? (choose the best answer)

• A. You suggest working with the program manager and the project managers of the other systems on the ordering and the value of your open Product Backlog items to redefine the possible delivery date.
• B. You shorten your Sprints to be ready sooner.
• C. You inform the program manager that there is a way. You remove all items from the Product Backlog for which development is forecasted to be beyond the expected date. These are likely to be low value anyhow.
• D. You calculate how many additional developers it would take to increase velocity in order to make the original date. You inform the program manager of the additional budget for these developers. This would then allow making the expected date.

Correct Answer

A. You suggest working with the program manager and the project managers of the other systems on the ordering and the value of your open Product Backlog items to redefine the possible delivery date.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A. You suggest working with the program manager and the project managers of the other systems on the ordering and the value of your open Product Backlog items to redefine the possible delivery date: This approach involves collaborating with key stakeholders to re-evaluate the priorities and values of the remaining Product Backlog items. By redefining the possible delivery date based on the most valuable items, you ensure that the team focuses on delivering the highest value within the given constraints. This strategy promotes transparency, stakeholder involvement, and realistic planning.

Incorrect Answers

B. You shorten your Sprints to be ready sooner: Shortening Sprints does not necessarily increase productivity or address the root causes of the delays. It may lead to rushed work and compromised quality, which contradicts Scrum principles of delivering potentially shippable increments.

C. You inform the program manager that there is a way. You remove all items from the Product Backlog for which development is forecasted to be beyond the expected date. These are likely to be low value anyhow: Arbitrarily removing items from the Product Backlog without a thorough evaluation of their value can lead to significant gaps in functionality and does not address the underlying issues. It also undermines the Product Owner’s role in managing the Product Backlog.

D. You calculate how many additional developers it would take to increase velocity in order to make the original date. You inform the program manager of the additional budget for these developers. This would then allow making the expected date: Adding more developers to a project late in the development cycle often leads to diminishing returns due to the complexities of team dynamics and the learning curve. It can also increase overhead and disrupt the existing team’s workflow.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog, ensuring that it is well-ordered and reflects the highest value items. They decide on the prioritization of incomplete items returned to the Product Backlog.
• Scrum Master: The Scrum Master facilitates collaboration and communication among the Scrum Team and stakeholders. They help remove impediments, ensure adherence to Scrum practices, and support the team in delivering valuable increments.
• Developers: Developers are responsible for delivering potentially shippable increments at the end of each Sprint. They collaborate with the Product Owner and Scrum Master to ensure that work is prioritized and completed effectively.

Relevance to the PSM II Exam

Understanding how to manage delays and stakeholder expectations is crucial for the PSM II exam. It demonstrates advanced knowledge of Scrum principles and the role of the Scrum Master in facilitating effective collaboration and realistic planning. Mastering this concept ensures that Scrum Masters can guide their teams in maintaining high-quality standards and delivering value within constraints.

Key Takeaways

• Collaborating with stakeholders to re-evaluate priorities and redefine delivery dates promotes transparency and realistic planning.
• Shortening Sprints or arbitrarily removing backlog items can compromise quality and value.
• Adding more developers late in the development cycle often leads to diminishing returns and increased overhead.

Conclusion

Managing delays in a complex project requires effective collaboration, realistic planning, and prioritization of high-value items. By working with stakeholders to re-evaluate the Product Backlog and redefine delivery dates, the Scrum Master supports the Product Owner in addressing concerns and ensuring that the team delivers valuable increments within constraints. Understanding these principles is crucial for effective Scrum implementation and success in the PSM II exam. For comprehensive preparation and practice exams, check out PSM II Exam Prep to enhance your understanding and application of Scrum principles.