Answering: “What does it mean for a Scrum Team to be cross-functional?” (PSM I)

Understanding Cross-Functional Scrum Teams

A cross-functional Scrum Team is designed to maximize efficiency and ensure the delivery of valuable Increments by having all the necessary skills within the team.

Exam Question

What does it mean for a Scrum Team to be cross-functional? (choose the best answer)

• A. The Scrum Team includes skilled individuals who together have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint.
• B. The Scrum Team includes not only developers but also business analysts, architects, and testers.
• C. The Scrum Team is a virtual team drawing from separate teams of business analysts, architects, developers, and testers.
• D. Developers on the Scrum Team work closely with business analysts, architects, developers, and testers who are not on the team.

Correct Answer

A. The Scrum Team includes skilled individuals who together have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint.

Explanation

Why A is Correct

A. The Scrum Team includes skilled individuals who together have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint:

A cross-functional team in Scrum is composed of individuals with various skills that collectively enable the team to complete all the work needed to deliver a usable Increment. This means the team can handle different tasks, such as development, testing, and design, without relying on external teams or handoffs. This setup ensures that the team is self-sufficient and can work independently to achieve their Sprint Goals.

Why B, C, and D are Incorrect

B. The Scrum Team includes not only developers but also business analysts, architects, and testers:

While having diverse roles can contribute to a team’s effectiveness, Scrum teams typically do not have formal roles like business analysts or architects. Instead, all members are considered Developers, contributing to the Increment.

C. The Scrum Team is a virtual team drawing from separate teams of business analysts, architects, developers, and testers:

A virtual team drawing from separate teams does not align with the Scrum principle of having a stable, dedicated team. Scrum teams should work together continuously, rather than drawing members from other teams as needed.

D. Developers on the Scrum Team work closely with business analysts, architects, developers, and testers who are not on the team:

This option implies dependency on external roles, which contradicts the idea of a self-sufficient, cross-functional team that can handle all aspects of the product development process internally.

Key Points

• Self-Sufficiency: Cross-functional teams are self-sufficient, minimizing dependencies on external teams or roles.
• Versatility: Team members have overlapping skills, allowing them to collaborate effectively and handle various tasks required to deliver a complete Increment.
• Efficiency: This setup reduces handoffs and delays, as the team can address all necessary work within the Sprint.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: Maximizes the value of the product by ensuring the Product Backlog is well-ordered and refined to the level needed.
• Scrum Master: Coaches the team in Scrum practices, removes impediments, and facilitates team events to ensure productivity and adherence to Scrum principles.
• Developers: Collaborate to complete all tasks necessary to deliver a potentially shippable Increment, maintaining quality and continuously improving their processes.

Relevance to the PSM I Exam

Understanding the nature of cross-functional teams is crucial for the PSM I exam. This knowledge emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency, versatility, and efficiency within the Scrum framework, enabling teams to deliver complete, valuable Increments without external dependencies.

Conclusion

A cross-functional Scrum Team includes individuals with diverse skills, enabling the team to handle all aspects of product development independently. This structure ensures self-sufficiency, versatility, and efficiency, aligning with Scrum principles.