Answering: “A Scrum Team has been working on a product for nine Sprints. A new Product Owner comes in, understanding she is accountable for the Product Backlog. However, she is unsure about her responsibilities. Which of the following are responsibilities of a Product Owner on a Scrum Team?” (PSM I)

A Product Owner’s responsibilities include interacting with stakeholders and making sure the most valuable functionality is built first. Writing test cases, use cases and detailed specifications is not their job.

Exam Question

A Scrum Team has been working on a product for nine Sprints. A new Product Owner comes in, understanding she is accountable for the Product Backlog. However, she is unsure about her responsibilities. Which of the following are responsibilities of a Product Owner on a Scrum Team? (choose the best two answers)

• A. Interacting with stakeholders.
• B. Creating detailed functional test cases.
• C. Ensuring that the most valuable functionality is produced first.
• D. Describing features as Use Cases.
• E. Providing the Developers with detailed specifications.

Correct Answer

A and C.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says the Product Owner is “accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.” To do that, they need to understand stakeholder needs, which means working with stakeholders constantly. They also order the Product Backlog so that the most valuable work comes first. The Guide lists their work as developing and communicating the Product Goal, creating and communicating Product Backlog items, ordering those items and keeping the Product Backlog transparent and understood. How detailed items get and in what format is decided with the Developers during refinement. Test design and technical specifications belong with the people who do the work.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. Creating detailed functional test cases. Testing is part of meeting the Definition of Done, which is the Developers’ work.

D. Describing features as Use Cases. Scrum does not prescribe a format for Product Backlog items. Use cases are one optional technique, not a duty.

E. Providing detailed specifications. Detail emerges through refinement and collaboration. Handing over full specifications treats the Developers as order takers.

Exam Tip

When asked what a Product Owner does, pick answers about value, ordering and stakeholders. Options that name a specific documentation format are usually wrong.

Key Takeaways

• The Product Owner maximizes value.
• Working with stakeholders is part of the job.
• Specifications and tests are worked out with or by the Developers.