Handling a CEO’s Request During an Active Sprint

When a CEO requests to add a “very important” item to a Sprint that is already in progress, it poses a challenge for the Scrum Team, particularly for the Developers. How should such a request be handled while adhering to Scrum principles?

Exam Question

The CEO asks the Developers to add a “very important” item to a Sprint that is in progress. What should the Developers do?
(choose the best answer)

• A. Add the item to the current Sprint Backlog and begin work immediately since the request came from the CEO.
• B. Add the item to the current Sprint and drop an item of equal size.
• C. Add the item to the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint.
• D. Discuss the item with the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.
• E. Add the item to the top of the Product Backlog.

Correct Answer

D. Discuss the item with the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.

Explanation

Correct Answer (D):
The Developers should discuss the item with other Scrum Team members, including the Product Owner and possibly the Scrum Master, to decide the best course of action. This approach respects the principles of self-management and collaboration within the Scrum Team, ensuring any adjustments to the Sprint Backlog are made with consensus and align with the Sprint Goal.

Incorrect Answers:

• A, B: Adding the item directly to the Sprint without team consultation bypasses the Scrum process of collaborative decision-making and could disrupt the current Sprint’s focus and goals.
• C: While adding the item to the next Sprint’s backlog is a viable option, it requires prior discussion and agreement within the Scrum Team.
• E: Placing the item at the top of the Product Backlog is a decision for the Product Owner, not the Developers, and should be based on its value relative to other items.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Developers: Collaborate on and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, holding discussions as a team to assess and integrate changes.
• Product Owner: Facilitates the decision on how to handle new items during a Sprint, ensuring they are properly assessed and ordered in the Product Backlog.
• Scrum Master: Ensures that the Scrum framework is adhered to, helping the team navigate challenges such as these and facilitating necessary discussions.

Relevance to the PSM I Exam

Understanding how to handle changes during a Sprint and the collaborative nature of decision-making within the Scrum Team are crucial for the PSM I exam. This scenario tests the candidate’s knowledge of Scrum principles and the ability to apply them in real-world situations.

Key Takeaways

• Scrum Empowers Teams: The decision-making process in Scrum empowers teams to manage their own work and adapt to changes collaboratively.
• Flexibility and Framework: Scrum provides a framework that is flexible yet requires disciplined adherence to its roles and events for success.

Conclusion

Handling unexpected requests such as adding items to an ongoing Sprint requires a balanced approach that respects the Scrum framework’s flexibility and the structured decision-making process. For more insights and practice exams, visit PSM I Exam Prep.