Answering: “The Scrum Team should have all the skills needed to:”

A Scrum Team needs all the skills required to turn Product Backlog items into a valuable, useful Increment. Carving out specialized testing or chasing a fixed date and budget misses the point of a cross-functional team.

Exam Question

The Scrum Team should have all the skills needed to: (choose the best answer)

• A. Turn Product Backlog items into a valuable, useful Increment.
• B. Do all of the development work, except for specialized testing that requires additional tools and environments.
• C. Complete the project within the date and cost as calculated by the Product Owner.

Correct Answer

A. Turn Product Backlog items into a valuable, useful Increment.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says “Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint.” Value in Scrum shows up as an Increment that meets the Definition of Done. If the team lacks a skill, such as a certain type of testing, it depends on people outside the team and cannot finish its own work within the Sprint. The Guide also says the Scrum Team is responsible for all product-related activities, from stakeholder collaboration and verification to maintenance and operation. Having the full skill set inside the team is what allows a Done Increment every Sprint.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. Do all development work except specialized testing. Testing is part of meeting the Definition of Done. Leaving it to outsiders creates dependencies and undone work at the end of the Sprint.

C. Finish the project within the Product Owner’s date and cost. Scrum does not frame the team’s purpose as hitting a fixed date and cost. The goal is delivering value Increment by Increment while the plan adapts.

Exam Tip

Questions about a Scrum Team’s skills point to cross-functionality and a Done Increment. Any option with an exception (“except testing”, “except deployment”) is a trap.

Key Takeaways

• Scrum Teams are cross-functional.
• Testing is part of the work, not a separate phase.
• The team’s skills exist to deliver a usable Increment each Sprint.