Ensuring Task Completion in Scrum

Ensuring that everyone on the Scrum Team completes their tasks for the Sprint is essential for the successful delivery of an Increment. This article clarifies who holds this responsibility within a Scrum Team.

Exam Question

Who should make sure everyone on the Scrum Team does their tasks for the Sprint?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Project Manager.
B. The Product Owner.
C. The Scrum Master.
D. The Scrum Team.
E. All of the above.

Correct Answer

D. The Scrum Team.

Explanation

Correct Answer

D. The Scrum Team:
In Scrum, accountability for completing tasks and achieving the Sprint Goal lies with the entire Scrum Team. This collective responsibility ensures that all team members work together, support each other, and hold themselves accountable for the work they commit to during the Sprint.

Incorrect Answers

A. The Project Manager: Scrum does not include the role of a Project Manager. The responsibilities traditionally associated with this role are distributed among the Scrum Team, with specific accountabilities for the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers.

B. The Product Owner: While the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog, they do not oversee the day-to-day tasks of the Developers. The focus of the Product Owner is on what to build rather than how the team builds it.

C. The Scrum Master: The Scrum Master facilitates Scrum practices and helps remove impediments but does not manage the task completion. The Scrum Master supports the team in being self-managing and self-organizing.

E. All of the above: This option is incorrect because it includes roles that do not exist in Scrum (Project Manager) and incorrectly assigns task management responsibilities to the Product Owner and Scrum Master.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog.
• Scrum Master: The Scrum Master ensures Scrum is understood and enacted, facilitates Scrum events, and helps remove impediments.
• Developers: The Developers are responsible for turning Product Backlog items into Increments of value each Sprint. They self-manage and collaborate to complete the tasks they have committed to.

Relevance to the PSPO I Exam

Understanding that the Scrum Team as a whole is responsible for task completion is crucial for the PSPO I exam. This knowledge emphasizes the importance of collective accountability and collaboration within the team, which are key principles of Scrum.

Key Takeaways

• The entire Scrum Team shares accountability for completing tasks and achieving the Sprint Goal.
• Scrum does not include a Project Manager role; responsibilities are shared among the Scrum Team members.
• The Product Owner focuses on value and backlog management, not task oversight.
• The Scrum Master facilitates and supports the team but does not manage task completion.

Conclusion

In Scrum, the responsibility for completing tasks and achieving the Sprint Goal lies with the entire Scrum Team. This collaborative approach ensures that all team members are engaged, accountable, and working towards a common goal. For more information on preparing for the PSPO I exam, visit our PSPO I Exam Prep.