Answering: “The CEO asks the Developers to add a “very important” item to a Sprint that is in progress. What should the Developers do?”

The Developers should discuss the CEO’s item with the rest of the Scrum Team so the team, with the Product Owner, can decide what to do. A senior title does not bypass the Product Owner or the Sprint Goal.

Exam Question

The CEO asks the Developers to add a “very important” item to a Sprint that is in progress. What should the Developers do?
(choose the best answer)

• A. Add the item to the current Sprint Backlog and begin work immediately since the request came from the CEO.
• B. Add the item to the current Sprint and drop an item of equal size.
• C. Add the item to the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint.
• D. Discuss the item with the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.
• E. Add the item to the top of the Product Backlog.

Correct Answer

D. Discuss the item with the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says that “for Product Owners to succeed, the entire organization must respect their decisions,” and that “those wanting to change the Product Backlog can do so by trying to convince the Product Owner.” During the Sprint, “no changes are made that would endanger the Sprint Goal.” So the request should go to the whole Scrum Team, where the Product Owner can weigh its value. If it fits the Sprint Goal, the Developers may adjust the Sprint Backlog. If not, it waits for a future Sprint, or the Product Owner considers whether the Sprint Goal is now obsolete.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Add it to the Sprint and start right away because the CEO asked. This ignores the Product Owner and may endanger the Sprint Goal. Seniority does not override Scrum’s decision process.

B. Add it and drop an item of equal size. Swapping by size ignores the Sprint Goal and value. The decision belongs with the whole Scrum Team, including the Product Owner.

C. Add it to the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint. The next Sprint Backlog does not exist yet. Work for future Sprints goes to the Product Backlog and is selected at Sprint Planning.

E. Put it at the top of the Product Backlog. Only the Product Owner orders the Product Backlog. The Developers should not decide its position.

Exam Tip

When a powerful outsider asks for mid-Sprint work, the answer routes the request through the Scrum Team and the Product Owner while protecting the Sprint Goal.

Key Takeaways

• Mid-Sprint requests go through the Scrum Team and Product Owner.
• Changes must not endanger the Sprint Goal.
• Seniority does not bypass the Product Owner.