Coordinating Work Between Multiple Scrum Teams

When multiple Scrum Teams are working on the same product, coordination and integration become critical to ensure a cohesive and functional product Increment. This article addresses a common scenario faced by Scrum Masters and provides insights into the best approach for facilitating alignment between Scrum Teams.

Exam Question

Five new Scrum Teams have been created to build one product. A few of the developers ask the Scrum Master who will coordinate the work between the different teams. What should the Scrum Master do? (choose the best answer)

• A. Visit the five teams each day to facilitate alignment and synchronization of their Sprint Backlogs.
• B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to form their teams of people with the skills and knowledge to create an integrated Increment by the end of every Sprint.
• C. Advise the teams to reduce interdependence by working in separate branches and organizing a specific Sprint every four development Sprints to handle integration.
• D. Collect the Sprint tasks from the teams at the end of their Sprint Planning and merge that into a consolidated plan for the entire Sprint.
• E. Teach the Product Owner to work with the lead developers on ordering Product Backlog in a way to avoid too much technical and development overlap during a Sprint.

Correct Answer

B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to form their teams of people with the skills and knowledge to create an integrated Increment by the end of every Sprint.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B. Teach them that it is their responsibility to form their teams of people with the skills and knowledge to create an integrated Increment by the end of every Sprint:
In Scrum, self-management and cross-functionality are key principles. It is essential for the Scrum Teams to have the skills and knowledge required to deliver an integrated Increment. By teaching the teams to take responsibility for their own coordination, the Scrum Master promotes self-organization and ensures that the teams can work together effectively to achieve their goals.

Incorrect Answers

A. Visit the five teams each day to facilitate alignment and synchronization of their Sprint Backlogs:
While daily visits might provide some short-term alignment, it does not promote long-term self-management or cross-team collaboration. The Scrum Master should focus on enabling the teams to manage their own coordination.

C. Advise the teams to reduce interdependence by working in separate branches and organizing a specific Sprint every four development Sprints to handle integration:
Working in separate branches and organizing specific integration Sprints can lead to delays and integration issues. Continuous integration and collaboration throughout the Sprint are more effective.

D. Collect the Sprint tasks from the teams at the end of their Sprint Planning and merge that into a consolidated plan for the entire Sprint:
Merging Sprint tasks into a consolidated plan goes against the principles of self-management and decentralizes decision-making. Each team should manage its own Sprint Backlog and coordinate with other teams as needed.

E. Teach the Product Owner to work with the lead developers on ordering Product Backlog in a way to avoid too much technical and development overlap during a Sprint:
While this approach might help in reducing overlap, it does not address the need for self-management and cross-team collaboration. The focus should be on enabling the teams to work together effectively rather than on avoiding overlap.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: Prioritizes and orders the Product Backlog items to ensure that the most valuable items are worked on first.
• Scrum Master: Facilitates coordination and alignment between the teams, promoting self-management and cross-functionality.
• Developers: Collaborate to ensure that their work is integrated and aligned with the overall product goals, taking responsibility for their own coordination and integration efforts.

Relevance to the PSM II Exam

Understanding how to facilitate coordination and alignment between multiple Scrum Teams is crucial for the PSM II exam. This knowledge demonstrates an advanced understanding of Scrum practices and the ability to manage complex product development efforts involving multiple teams.

Key Takeaways

• Self-management and cross-functionality are key principles in Scrum, enabling teams to coordinate and integrate their work effectively.
• The Scrum Master should focus on teaching and enabling teams to take responsibility for their own coordination and integration efforts.
• Continuous integration and collaboration are more effective than working in separate branches and organizing specific integration Sprints.

Conclusion

Effective coordination and alignment between multiple Scrum Teams are essential for delivering a cohesive and functional product Increment. By promoting self-management and cross-functionality, the Scrum Master can ensure that the teams take responsibility for their own coordination and integration efforts. This understanding is essential 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.