The Scrum Master takes part in the Sprint Retrospective as a member of the Scrum Team and facilitates when asked or needed. They are not a scribe, they do not rank the action items and they do not report to management.
Exam Question
What is the Scrum Master responsible for during the Sprint Retrospective?
(choose the best answer)
A. Acting as a scribe to capture the Scrum Team’s answers.
B. Participating as a Scrum Team member and facilitating as requested or needed.
C. Prioritizing the resulting action items.
D. Summarizing and reporting the discussions to management.
Correct Answer
B. Participating as a Scrum Team member and facilitating as requested or needed.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Scrum Master is one of the three accountabilities in the Scrum Team, so they belong at the Retrospective like everyone else. They also serve the team by ensuring Scrum events take place and are positive, productive and kept within the timebox. In a Retrospective, that can mean running an activity, helping the team surface problems, or stepping back once the team can manage the conversation well. The Scrum Guide says the team identifies the most helpful changes to improve its effectiveness. Prioritizing those changes is the team’s decision, and what is said stays within the team so people can speak openly.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Acting as a scribe for the team’s answers. Recording notes is not the Scrum Master’s accountability. The team can capture its own outcomes.
C. Prioritizing the action items. The Scrum Team decides which improvements matter most. The Scrum Master does not decide for them.
D. Reporting the discussion to management. Sharing Retrospective discussions outside the team breaks trust and discourages honesty.
Exam Tip
For the Scrum Master in any event, look for “participate” plus “facilitate as needed.” Options that make them a scribe, a decider or a reporter are wrong.
Key Takeaways
- The Scrum Master is a Scrum Team member at the Retrospective.
- They facilitate when the team needs it.
- Prioritizing improvements is a whole-team decision.
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More PSM I exam questions
- A Sprint Retrospective should be held:
- Which are appropriate topics for discussion in a Sprint Retrospective?” (PSM I)
- When is it most appropriate for a Scrum Team to change the Definition of Done?” (PSM I)
- True or False: At least one high priority process improvement identified during the previous Retrospective, is included in the Sprint Backlog.
- During the Sprint Retrospective a Scrum Team has identified several high priority process improvements. Which of the following statements is most accurate?” (PSM I)