Answering: “What type of anti-pattern is below: The Agile Team has more than one Product Owner.”

Anti-Patterns in Agile Teams

This article explores a scenario-based SSM exam question about team dysfunctions and structural issues in Agile environments.

Exam Question

What type of anti-pattern is below:
“The Agile Team has more than one Product Owner.”

Correct Answer

A Structural Anti-Pattern

Explanation

A Structural Anti-Pattern is a recurring organizational setup or team configuration that hinders Agile team performance and delivery. In the SAFe context, this refers to setups that break the principles of Agile cross-functional teams—for example, having separate teams for testing, architecture, or requirements that cause delays and handoffs. Scrum Masters should recognize these patterns and work to eliminate them by fostering cross-functional, empowered teams.

Scrum Master Insights

• Team Design: Recognizing anti-patterns helps Scrum Masters guide improvements to team structures.
• Flow Impediments: Identifying structural blockers allows for smoother value delivery.
• Collaboration: Promoting team ownership and shared responsibilities mitigates these patterns.

Relevance to the SSM Exam

This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to identify dysfunctional structures in an Agile environment. Recognizing and resolving anti-patterns is a crucial part of the Scrum Master’s responsibilities in SAFe.

Key Takeaways

• Structural anti-patterns disrupt Agile team effectiveness.
• Scrum Masters must challenge legacy team configurations that inhibit flow.
• Awareness of organizational impediments is key to SAFe success.

Conclusion

Identifying and resolving structural anti-patterns is essential for Scrum Masters operating in a SAFe environment.