Conditions of Sharing People with Unique Skills Across Multiple Teams
Managing resources effectively in a Scrum environment is crucial, particularly when dealing with individuals who possess unique skills. This article explores the implications of sharing such people across multiple teams.
Exam Question
Sharing people with unique skills across multiple teams will likely result in which of the following conditions?
(choose the best answer)
A. Teams may wait more often, impeding the delivery of value.
B. Costs are lower because expensive resources are shared.
C. Teams do not have to develop deep technical skills.
D. More work gets done because people are better utilized.
Correct Answer
A. Teams may wait more often, impeding the delivery of value.
Explanation
Correct Answer
A. Teams may wait more often, impeding the delivery of value:
When individuals with unique skills are shared across multiple teams, it often leads to delays. Teams may find themselves waiting for the availability of these key individuals, which can slow down the delivery of valuable work. This waiting time can hinder the flow of progress and reduce overall team efficiency. Context switching, or moving between different tasks or projects, can also reduce efficiency and productivity, further slowing down the delivery of value.
Incorrect Answers
B. Costs are lower because expensive resources are shared: While sharing resources might seem cost-effective, the hidden costs of delays and reduced productivity due to context switching can outweigh the perceived savings.
C. Teams do not have to develop deep technical skills: Relying on shared resources may hinder the development of deep technical skills within the team, but this is not a primary reason for the impeded delivery of value.
D. More work gets done because people are better utilized: This answer overlooks the negative impact of context switching and delays caused by waiting for shared resources, which ultimately reduces the overall efficiency.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: The Product Owner should ensure that the team has the necessary resources to maximize value delivery. They need to communicate any impediments caused by shared resources to stakeholders and work on long-term solutions.
- Scrum Master: The Scrum Master should facilitate discussions on resource allocation and help the team manage dependencies effectively. They should also coach the team on minimizing context switching.
- Developers: Developers should collaborate to manage their work efficiently, communicate potential delays due to shared resources, and continuously improve their skills to reduce dependency on unique skills.
Relevance to the PSPO II Exam
Understanding the implications of sharing unique skills across multiple teams is crucial for the PSPO II exam. It highlights the importance of resource management, team efficiency, and minimizing context switching to ensure the smooth delivery of value.
Key Takeaways
- Sharing unique skills across teams can cause delays and impede value delivery.
- Context switching reduces efficiency and productivity.
- Effective resource management and minimizing dependencies are essential for team efficiency.
- Continuous skill development within teams can reduce dependency on shared resources.
Conclusion
Sharing people with unique skills across multiple teams can lead to significant challenges in delivering value efficiently. By understanding and addressing these challenges, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and Developers can ensure that their teams remain productive and focused on delivering valuable outcomes. For more insights on preparing for the PSPO II exam, visit our PSPO II Exam Prep.