Answering: “At the seventh Sprint Review, the stakeholders are disappointed and angry. They have determined that the product or system being built both will not meet their needs and will cost more than they are willing to spend. What factors may have led to this?”

Understanding the Disappointment and Anger of Stakeholders at the Seventh Sprint Review

In Scrum, transparency, inspection, and adaptation are critical for success. When stakeholders express disappointment and anger at a Sprint Review, it usually indicates a breakdown in these principles. Let’s examine a scenario where stakeholders determine that the product or system being built will not meet their needs and will cost more than they are willing to spend. Understanding the potential factors that led to this situation can help in avoiding such issues in the future.

Exam Question

At the seventh Sprint Review, the stakeholders are disappointed and angry. They have determined that the product or system being built both will not meet their needs and will cost more than they are willing to spend. What factors may have led to this?
(choose the best three answers)
A. The Scrum Master has not ensured that the project is transparent.
B. The Product Owner has not been keeping the stakeholders aware of the progress of the project.
C. Changes to the project plan were not adequately documented and shared.
D. The Project Management Office (PMO) has not been engaged adequately.
E. The stakeholders were not allowed to enter the development area.
F. The stakeholders haven’t been using the Sprint Reviews to inspect and evaluate progress.

Correct Answers

B. The Product Owner has not been keeping the stakeholders aware of the progress of the project.
C. Changes to the project plan were not adequately documented and shared.
F. The stakeholders haven’t been using the Sprint Reviews to inspect and evaluate progress.

Factor Analysis

B. The Product Owner has not been keeping the stakeholders aware of the progress of the project:

The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders. Failing to keep stakeholders informed can lead to misaligned expectations and dissatisfaction.

  • Transparency: Regular updates and communication with stakeholders ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project’s progress and any challenges encountered.
  • Expectation Management: Keeping stakeholders in the loop helps manage their expectations and fosters trust and collaboration.

C. Changes to the project plan were not adequately documented and shared:

In Scrum, transparency is key. Documenting and sharing changes to the project plan ensures that all team members and stakeholders are aware of the adjustments and can adapt accordingly.

  • Documentation: Proper documentation of changes helps in tracking progress and understanding the rationale behind decisions.
  • Communication: Sharing changes with stakeholders helps them stay informed and engaged with the project’s evolution.

F. The stakeholders haven’t been using the Sprint Reviews to inspect and evaluate progress:

Sprint Reviews are designed to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to inspect the Increment and offer feedback. If stakeholders are not utilizing these reviews effectively, they miss out on critical inspection and adaptation opportunities.

  • Inspection: Regular inspection of the Increment allows stakeholders to provide timely feedback and ensure the product aligns with their needs.
  • Adaptation: Incorporating stakeholder feedback helps the Scrum Team make necessary adjustments to meet the project goals.

Examining the Other Options

A. The Scrum Master has not ensured that the project is transparent:

While the Scrum Master facilitates transparency, the responsibility for keeping stakeholders informed primarily lies with the Product Owner. The Scrum Master ensures that Scrum principles are followed, but stakeholder communication is more directly managed by the Product Owner.

D. The Project Management Office (PMO) has not been engaged adequately:

In Scrum, the role of the PMO is less emphasized compared to traditional project management frameworks. The focus is on the Scrum Team and stakeholders. Engaging the PMO might not be as relevant in a pure Scrum context.

E. The stakeholders were not allowed to enter the development area:

Physical access to the development area is less critical than ensuring effective communication and transparency through meetings and updates. The stakeholders’ engagement in reviews and feedback loops is more important.

Responsibilities in Scrum

  • Product Owner: Ensures the Product Backlog is ordered and refined to maximize value and align with the team’s capacity. Maintains regular communication with stakeholders to keep them informed and engaged.
  • Scrum Master: Facilitates Scrum practices and ensures the team follows Scrum principles, including transparency and regular inspections. Helps resolve impediments that may hinder the team’s progress.
  • Developers: Collaborate to deliver a potentially shippable Increment each Sprint. Ensure the work meets the Definition of Done and is ready for stakeholder inspection.

Relevance to the PSM I Exam

Understanding the importance of stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, and regular inspection is crucial for the PSM I exam. These principles ensure that the product evolves to meet stakeholder needs and that any misalignments are addressed promptly.

Key Takeaways

  • Stakeholder Communication: Regular updates and transparent communication by the Product Owner prevent misaligned expectations.
  • Documentation: Properly documenting and sharing changes ensures everyone is informed and can adapt accordingly.
  • Sprint Reviews: Effective use of Sprint Reviews allows stakeholders to inspect the product, provide feedback, and influence the product’s direction.

Conclusion

In summary, stakeholder disappointment and anger at a Sprint Review can often be traced back to issues with communication, documentation, and engagement during reviews. Addressing these areas by ensuring transparent communication, proper documentation, and effective use of Sprint Reviews can help prevent such situations and ensure the product meets stakeholder expectations.

For comprehensive preparation and practice exams, check out PSM I Exam Prep to enhance your understanding and application of Scrum principles.

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The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification is one of the most popular certifications for professionals who want to demonstrate their understanding of the Scrum framework and their ability to apply Scrum in real-world situations. The certification is offered by Scrum.org, a leading global provider of Scrum training and

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