Impact on Productivity with Addition of Scrum Teams

When multiple Scrum Teams are involved in the development of a single product, the dynamics within the teams can change significantly. Understanding these impacts is essential for effective Scrum implementation and management.

Exam Question

If two Scrum Teams are added to the development of a product that previously had only one Scrum Team, what will be the immediate impact on the productivity of the original Scrum Team?
(choose the best answer)
A. Its productivity is likely to decrease.
B. Its productivity is likely to increase.
C. Its productivity is likely to stay the same.

Correct Answer

A. Its productivity is likely to decrease.

Immediate Impact on Productivity

When additional Scrum Teams are added to an existing team, several factors can lead to a temporary decrease in productivity for the original team. Here are some reasons:

Integration and Coordination:

• The original team must now coordinate with the new teams, which requires time and effort. Establishing communication channels, aligning on goals, and integrating workflows can create initial friction.

Shared Resources:

• Resources that were previously dedicated to one team may now need to be shared among multiple teams. This can lead to delays and bottlenecks as the teams adjust to the new resource allocation.

Knowledge Transfer:

• The original team may need to spend time transferring knowledge to the new teams. This includes sharing best practices, understanding the current state of the product, and aligning on technical standards and processes.

Increased Meetings and Communication:

• With more teams, the frequency and duration of coordination meetings can increase. This takes time away from actual development work, temporarily reducing productivity.

Roles and Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: Ensures the Product Backlog is ordered and refined to maximize value and align with the team’s capacity. Works closely with all Scrum Teams to prioritize and manage the backlog effectively.
• Scrum Master: Facilitates the Scrum process, removes impediments, and helps coordinate activities between multiple teams. Ensures that Scrum principles are followed and that the teams remain productive.
• Developers: Collaborate within and across teams to complete all tasks necessary to deliver potentially shippable Increments. Focus on maintaining quality and adhering to the Definition of Done.

Relevance to the PSM I Exam

Understanding the impact of adding new Scrum Teams to an existing project is crucial for the PSM I exam. It highlights the importance of effective coordination, communication, and resource management in maintaining productivity and quality.

Key Takeaways

• Temporary Decrease in Productivity: Adding new Scrum Teams can temporarily decrease the productivity of the original team due to the need for integration, coordination, and knowledge transfer.
• Importance of Coordination: Effective coordination and communication are essential to minimize the impact on productivity and ensure smooth collaboration between teams.
• Role of Scrum Master: The Scrum Master plays a critical role in facilitating the integration process and removing any impediments that may arise.

Conclusion

Adding new Scrum Teams to an existing project can lead to a temporary decrease in productivity for the original team. However, with effective coordination, communication, and resource management, the teams can quickly adapt and regain productivity. Understanding these dynamics is essential for successful Scrum implementation and is a key aspect of the PSM I exam.

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