Managing Interruptions and Unplanned Work in Scrum Teams

Handling interruptions and unplanned work effectively is crucial for maintaining productivity and focus in Scrum Teams. This article explores the best approach to managing such disruptions, especially when they are related to legacy applications.

Exam Question

You manage a development organization. One of your Scrum Teams is continually interrupted by unplanned work related to production incidents for a legacy application unrelated to their product. A few team members have historical knowledge of the legacy application. How should the Scrum Team manage the interruption and unplanned work?
(choose the best answer)
A. Work with the Scrum Team to help transfer the knowledge to other teams better aligned with the application support mission.
B. The Scrum Team should fit the work in, working overtime if that’s what it takes.
C. New development work should be put on hold until the production support work is completed; supporting existing applications is always more important than new work.

Correct Answer

A. Work with the Scrum Team to help transfer the knowledge to other teams better aligned with the application support mission.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A. Work with the Scrum Team to help transfer the knowledge to other teams better aligned with the application support mission:
This approach addresses the root cause of the interruptions by ensuring that the knowledge of the legacy application is transferred to teams that are better suited to handle its support. This helps to minimize future disruptions and allows the Scrum Team to focus on their primary product development work. Knowledge transfer ensures that critical information is retained within the organization while freeing up the Scrum Team to concentrate on their planned work.

Incorrect Answers

B. The Scrum Team should fit the work in, working overtime if that’s what it takes:
This approach can lead to burnout and decreased morale among team members. It also does not address the underlying issue of knowledge being concentrated within a few individuals. Over time, this can harm the productivity and well-being of the team.

C. New development work should be put on hold until the production support work is completed; supporting existing applications is always more important than new work:
This approach prioritizes short-term needs over long-term goals. It can lead to significant delays in the development of new products and features, ultimately impacting the organization’s ability to innovate and stay competitive. It also does not solve the problem of interruptions from unplanned work.

Agile Leadership Insights

• Knowledge Transfer: Ensuring that critical knowledge is distributed among appropriate teams helps to minimize interruptions and maintain focus on primary objectives.
• Preventing Burnout: Avoid overloading team members with additional work to prevent burnout and maintain morale.
• Balancing Priorities: While supporting legacy applications is important, it should not consistently overshadow the development of new products and features.

Relevance to the PAL I Exam

Understanding how to manage interruptions and unplanned work is essential for the PAL I exam. This knowledge demonstrates the ability to maintain team focus and productivity while addressing support needs effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Transfer knowledge to appropriate teams to reduce interruptions and maintain focus.
• Avoid overloading team members with additional work to prevent burnout.
• Balance support work with new development to ensure long-term success and innovation.

Conclusion

Effectively managing interruptions and unplanned work involves transferring knowledge to teams better aligned with the support mission, thus allowing Scrum Teams to focus on their primary objectives. This approach helps maintain productivity and team morale while ensuring that critical support work is handled efficiently. For more information on preparing for the PAL I exam, visit our Professional Agile Leadership PAL I™ Exam Prep.