Answering: “What might indicate to a Product Owner that they need to work more with the Scrum Team?” (PSPO II)

If the Increment shown at the Sprint Review is not what the Product Owner thought she asked for, she needs to work more closely with the Scrum Team. That gap shows a breakdown in shared understanding during the Sprint.

Exam Question

What might indicate to a Product Owner that they need to work more with the Scrum Team?
(choose the best answer)
A. She is not working full time with the Scrum Team.
B. The Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect what she thought she had asked for.
C. People leave the Scrum Team.
D. The acceptance criteria do not appear to be complete.

Correct Answer

B. The Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect what she thought she had asked for.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

A surprise at the Sprint Review means the Product Owner and Developers did not talk enough during refinement and the Sprint. The Scrum Guide expects scope to be clarified with the Product Owner as more is learned, and it lists “Creating and clearly communicating Product Backlog items” among the Product Owner’s duties. When the Increment misses the mark, the fix is more collaboration: joining refinement, being available for questions and reviewing work in progress. The other options are not reliable signals. Scrum does not require a full-time Product Owner, team turnover has many causes and acceptance criteria are optional.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. She is not working full time with the Scrum Team. Scrum does not require the Product Owner to be full time with one team. What matters is enough collaboration.

C. People leave the Scrum Team. Team members leave for many reasons. It does not by itself point to the Product Owner’s involvement.

D. The acceptance criteria do not appear complete. Acceptance criteria are optional and need not be complete up front. Detail can emerge through conversation.

Exam Tip

On PSPO II, look for evidence-based signals. An Increment that does not match expectations is direct evidence of a collaboration gap; the other options are assumptions.

Key Takeaways

• A surprise at the Sprint Review signals a communication gap.
• The Product Owner clarifies items throughout the Sprint.
• Full-time presence and complete acceptance criteria are not requirements.