Addressing Lack of Collaboration Between Product Owner and Developers
Effective collaboration between the Product Owner and Developers is essential for the success of a Scrum Team. When the Product Owner is not collaborating with the Developers, the Scrum Master must take steps to address the issue and ensure smooth operations.
Exam Question
The Product Owner is not collaborating with the Developers during the Sprint. What are two valuable actions for a Scrum Master to take? (choose the best two answers)
- A. Coach the Product Owner in the values of Scrum and incremental delivery.
- B. Bring up the problem in the Sprint Retrospective.
- C. Nominate a proxy Product Owner.
- D. Stop the Sprint, send the Product Owner to a course and restart.
- E. Inform the Product Owner’s functional manager.
Correct Answers
A. Coach the Product Owner in the values of Scrum and incremental delivery.
B. Bring up the problem in the Sprint Retrospective.
Explanation
Why A is Correct
A. Coach the Product Owner in the values of Scrum and incremental delivery:
The Scrum Master is responsible for coaching the entire Scrum Team, including the Product Owner. By educating the Product Owner on the values of Scrum and the importance of incremental delivery, the Scrum Master can help improve collaboration and ensure that the Product Owner understands their role in supporting the Developers.
Why B is Correct
B. Bring up the problem in the Sprint Retrospective:
The Sprint Retrospective is a dedicated time for the Scrum Team to reflect on their processes and interactions. Bringing up the issue during this event allows the team to discuss the lack of collaboration, identify underlying causes, and collectively decide on actions to improve the situation in future Sprints.
Why C, D, and E are Incorrect
C. Nominate a proxy Product Owner: Appointing a proxy Product Owner is not an ideal solution as it bypasses the accountability and responsibilities of the actual Product Owner. It also disrupts the continuity and clarity of the Product Owner’s role.
D. Stop the Sprint, send the Product Owner to a course and restart: Stopping the Sprint disrupts the team’s workflow and progress. Additionally, sending the Product Owner to a course is a drastic measure that may not address the immediate collaboration issues.
E. Inform the Product Owner’s functional manager: Escalating the issue to the Product Owner’s manager can create unnecessary conflict and may not foster a collaborative environment. It is better to address the issue within the Scrum Team first.
Key Points
- Coaching: The Scrum Master should coach the Product Owner on Scrum values and incremental delivery.
- Retrospective: Addressing collaboration issues during the Sprint Retrospective allows for collective problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: Ensures the Product Backlog is ordered and refined to maximize value and align with the team’s capacity.
- Scrum Master: Facilitates Scrum events, removes impediments, and helps teams adhere to Scrum principles.
- Developers: Plan, manage, and execute all tasks necessary to deliver a potentially shippable Increment, ensuring quality and adherence to the Definition of Done.
Relevance to the PSM I Exam
Understanding the Scrum Master’s role in addressing collaboration issues between the Product Owner and Developers is crucial for the PSM I exam. This knowledge highlights the importance of coaching and continuous improvement within the Scrum framework.
Conclusion
When the Product Owner is not collaborating with the Developers, the Scrum Master should coach the Product Owner on Scrum values and bring up the issue during the Sprint Retrospective. These actions help improve collaboration and ensure the team’s success in delivering valuable increments.
For comprehensive preparation and practice exams, check out PSM I Exam Prep to enhance your understanding and application of Scrum principles.
