Ethical Behavior in Scrum Teams

Scrum is a framework built on transparency, inspection, and adaptation, with a foundation rooted in the five Scrum values: commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect. Upholding these values is essential for fostering an ethical environment within Scrum Teams and in their interactions with stakeholders. However, there are instances where unethical behavior can occur, leading to harm within the team or towards stakeholders.

Exam Question

In the context of Scrum, provide:
One example of how Scrum Team members could act unethically and cause harm to each other.
OR
One example of how members of a Scrum Team could act unethically toward their stakeholders.

Explanation

Example 1: Unethical Behavior Within the Scrum Team

Hoarding Knowledge:

• Scenario: A Developer on the Scrum Team intentionally withholds critical knowledge or information about the codebase, tools, or processes from other team members. This behavior creates a knowledge gap within the team, causing reliance on the individual and hindering the overall progress of the team.
• Impact: This unethical behavior can lead to an imbalance in the team’s dynamics, where some members feel disempowered or less valuable. It can cause delays in project delivery due to bottlenecks created by the reliance on one individual. Moreover, it violates the Scrum value of openness, where information should be freely shared to ensure transparency and collective progress.

Example 2: Unethical Behavior Toward Stakeholders

Misrepresentation of Progress:

• Scenario: A Scrum Team, under pressure to meet deadlines, decides to misrepresent the progress of a Sprint during a Sprint Review. They might show incomplete work as complete or exaggerate the functionality of an Increment to satisfy the stakeholders temporarily.
• Impact: This behavior can lead to a breakdown in trust between the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. Stakeholders rely on accurate and honest communication to make informed decisions about the product’s direction. Misrepresentation can result in misguided business decisions, wasted resources, and ultimately, damage to the product’s success in the market.

Relevance to the PSM III Exam

Understanding and recognizing unethical behavior in Scrum is crucial for those preparing for the PSM III exam. The exam tests not only knowledge of Scrum practices but also the ability to apply Scrum values in real-world scenarios. Identifying unethical practices and knowing how to address them aligns with the Scrum Master’s responsibility to protect the Scrum process and ensure a healthy, productive environment for the team.

Key Takeaways

• Knowledge Hoarding: Withholding information from team members can create bottlenecks and diminish team collaboration, violating Scrum values.
• Misrepresentation of Progress: Dishonesty in reporting progress to stakeholders can lead to poor decision-making, loss of trust, and potential project failure.

Conclusion

Ethical behavior is the cornerstone of a successful Scrum Team. By adhering to Scrum values, team members can ensure they act with integrity towards each other and their stakeholders. Recognizing and addressing unethical behavior promptly helps maintain a transparent, respectful, and collaborative environment that is essential for the success of Scrum projects. For more guidance on Scrum ethics and preparing for the PSM III exam, visit our Scrum Master PSM III™ Exam Prep.