The Product Owner works with the rest of the Scrum Team to define the Sprint Goal. They do not set it alone, delegate it to stakeholders or leave it entirely to the Developers.
Exam Question
What is the role of the Product Owner in crafting the Sprint Goal?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Product Owner must work with stakeholders to set each Sprint’s Goal.
B. The Product Owner has no role in it. This is the Developers’ responsibility.
C. The Product Owner defines the scope for a Sprint and therefore also the Sprint Goal.
D. The Product Owner collaborates as a member of the Scrum Team to define a Sprint Goal.
Correct Answer
D. The Product Owner collaborates as a member of the Scrum Team to define a Sprint Goal.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
In Sprint Planning, the Scrum Guide says “the Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint,” and then “the whole Scrum Team then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is valuable to stakeholders.” So the Product Owner brings the value perspective and an initial proposal, while the Developers bring their view of what is feasible. The final goal is a shared result. Stakeholders may be invited to advise, but they do not set the goal.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Must work with stakeholders to set each Sprint Goal. Stakeholders may give input, but the Sprint Goal is defined by the Scrum Team, not set with outsiders.
B. Has no role; it is the Developers’ job. The Product Owner is part of the Scrum Team and brings the value proposal that starts the conversation.
C. Defines the scope and therefore the Sprint Goal. The Developers select the work, and the whole team agrees the goal. The Product Owner does not dictate it.
Exam Tip
Sprint Goal questions usually hinge on the word “collaborate”. The Product Owner proposes, the Scrum Team defines.
Key Takeaways
- The Product Owner proposes how the Sprint adds value.
- The whole Scrum Team defines the Sprint Goal.
- Stakeholders advise but do not set the goal.
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More PSPO II exam questions
- You work for a large financial institution. Your products have many interdependencies: you have mobile, web, and ATM product interfaces to financial products like savings, checking, credit card, investments. When any of these financial products change, the changes ripple throughout the mobile, web, and ATM clients, and maintaining consistency is challenging. What should you do to reduce this problem?
- Who is accountable for maintaining and communicating the Product Goal?
- If a Product Owner finds themselves with more work to do than they can give attention to, what strategy can help them achieve the things that need to be done?
- What are the accountabilities of a Tester on a Scrum Team?
- What is an important quality of an effective Product Vision?