Answering: “What are three benefits of self-management?” (PSM I)

Self-management tends to increase creativity, self-accountability and commitment. It does not guarantee more accurate estimates or stricter rule compliance.

Exam Question

What are three benefits of self-management?
(choose the best three answers)
A. Increased accuracy of estimates.
B. Increased creativity.
C. Increased self-accountability.
D. Increased rule compliance.
E. Increased commitment.

Correct Answer

B, C and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

When the people doing the work decide how to do it, they apply their own ideas instead of following someone else’s plan. This frees creativity. Because they made the decisions, they also hold themselves accountable for the result, and the Scrum Guide lists holding each other accountable as professionals among the Developers’ duties. Ownership also builds commitment to the Sprint Goal and to the team. Scrum.org has long named these as benefits of self-managing teams. The Scrum Guide adds that the Scrum Team members have the courage to do the right thing and work on tough problems, which follows from owning the work.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Increased accuracy of estimates. Self-managing teams may estimate better over time, but complex work stays uncertain. Accuracy is not a defining benefit.

D. Increased rule compliance. Self-management is about the team deciding how to work, not about following external rules more closely.

Exam Tip

For benefit questions about self-management, pick human and motivational outcomes. Options about precision or compliance belong to command-and-control thinking.

Key Takeaways

• Self-management encourages creativity.
• Owning decisions increases accountability.
• Ownership strengthens commitment.