Promoting Self-Management in Scrum
Self-management is a core principle of Scrum, empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Scrum provides mechanisms that promote self-management within the Scrum Team, ensuring that they can adapt, innovate, and deliver value efficiently.
Exam Question
What are three ways Scrum promotes self-management?
(choose the best three answers)
A. By the Scrum Team deciding what work to do in a Sprint.
B. By having the Scrum Master protect the Scrum Team from interruptions.
C. By being a lightweight framework.
D. By removing titles for Scrum Team members.
Correct Answers
A. By the Scrum Team deciding what work to do in a Sprint.
C. By being a lightweight framework.
D. By removing titles for Scrum Team members.
Explanation
Correct Answers
A. By the Scrum Team deciding what work to do in a Sprint:
Scrum empowers the Scrum Team to decide how much work they can take on during a Sprint. This promotes self-management by allowing the team to assess their capacity and commit to achievable goals, giving them control over their work.
C. By being a lightweight framework:
Scrum is designed as a lightweight framework, providing just enough structure to guide the team while allowing them the flexibility to make decisions and adapt processes as needed. This minimalistic approach fosters self-management by not imposing rigid rules or processes.
D. By removing titles for Scrum Team members:
In Scrum, there are no predefined roles like “Senior Developer” or “Tester.” All team members are simply known as Developers (or Scrum Team members), which removes hierarchical barriers and encourages a collaborative, self-managing environment.
Why the Other Option Is Less Appropriate
B. By having the Scrum Master protect the Scrum Team from interruptions:
While the Scrum Master helps remove impediments and protects the team from distractions, this role is more about facilitating the team’s work rather than directly promoting self-management. Self-management is more about the team’s ability to organize and manage themselves, rather than being shielded from external factors.
Relevance to the PSD Exam
Understanding how Scrum promotes self-management is crucial for the PSD exam, as it reflects the team’s ability to work autonomously and make decisions that align with the goals of the Sprint and the overall project.
Key Takeaways
- Team Autonomy: Scrum encourages teams to decide what work to take on during a Sprint, fostering self-management.
- Lightweight Framework: Scrum’s minimalistic structure allows teams to adapt and make decisions independently.
- Equal Titles: By removing hierarchical titles, Scrum promotes collaboration and shared ownership of the work.
Conclusion
Scrum’s emphasis on self-management empowers teams to take ownership of their work, make informed decisions, and collaborate effectively. By promoting self-management, Scrum teams can deliver value more efficiently and adapt to changes quickly. For more information on preparing for the PSD exam, visit our Professional Scrum Developer PSD™ Exam Prep.
