The Scrum Master should explain to the IT manager that progress in Scrum is shown by inspecting a working Increment at the Sprint Review. A separate status report is not how Scrum makes progress transparent.
Exam Question
The IT manager asks a Scrum Team for a status report describing the progress throughout the Sprint. The Scrum Team asks the Scrum Master for advice. The Scrum Master should: (choose the best answer)
- A. Create and deliver the report to the manager herself.
- B. Talk to the IT manager and explain that progress in Scrum comes from inspecting an Increment at the Sprint Review.
- C. Ask the Product Owner to send the manager the report.
- D. Tell the Scrum Team to figure it out themselves.
- E. Tell the Developers to fit the report into the Sprint Backlog.
Correct Answer
B. Talk to the IT manager and explain that progress in Scrum comes from inspecting an Increment at the Sprint Review.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Scrum Master serves the organization by helping people understand Scrum and an empirical approach to complex work. In Scrum, progress is made transparent through the artifacts, and real progress is a done Increment. The Sprint Review exists “to inspect the outcome of the Sprint and determine future adaptations,” and stakeholders such as the IT manager are welcome there. The Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog are also visible at any time. Explaining this addresses the manager’s real need, which is insight into progress, without adding reporting overhead to the Sprint.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. The Scrum Master writes and delivers the report herself. This hides the underlying misunderstanding and turns the Scrum Master into a status reporter.
C. Ask the Product Owner to send the report. This shifts the same overhead to another person and still bypasses inspection of the Increment.
D. Tell the Scrum Team to figure it out themselves. The team asked for advice, and helping the organization understand Scrum is part of the Scrum Master’s job.
E. Tell the Developers to fit the report into the Sprint Backlog. This adds work that creates no product value and reinforces a reporting habit Scrum replaces with transparency.
Exam Tip
When someone outside the team wants status reports, the Scrum Master answer is usually to teach them how Scrum makes progress visible, not to produce the report.
Key Takeaways
- Progress in Scrum is shown by a done Increment.
- The Sprint Review is where stakeholders inspect results.
- Scrum Masters coach the wider organization, not just the team.
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