Answering: “What techniques could the Scrum Master use when the Scrum Team gets caught in an internal disagreement about which agile practices to apply?”

The Scrum Master can use coaching techniques like open questions and active listening, and involve the whole Scrum Team in making the decision. Handing the choice to an outside coach or HR takes it away from the team.

Exam Question

What techniques could the Scrum Master use when the Scrum Team gets caught in an internal disagreement about which agile practices to apply? (choose the best two answers)

• A. Use coaching techniques like open questions and active listening.
• B. Ask an external agile coach what they recommend.
• C. Involve the complete Scrum Team in making a decision.
• D. Ask team members to take the issue up with the company’s Human Resources department.

Correct Answer

A and C.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Scrum Teams are self-managing, and choosing which practices to use is part of how they work. The Scrum Master serves the team by “coaching the team members in self-management and cross-functionality.” Open questions and active listening help people understand each other’s views without the Scrum Master taking sides. Involving everyone in the decision builds commitment and respects the Scrum value of openness. A disagreement about practices is also a natural topic for the Sprint Retrospective, where the team can agree to try something and inspect the result.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. Ask an external agile coach what they recommend. An outside opinion may inform the team, but letting someone else decide undermines self-management.

D. Have team members take the issue to HR. A disagreement about practices is not an HR matter. Escalating it damages trust and avoids the conversation.

Exam Tip

For team disagreements, choose coaching and whole-team decisions over outside experts or escalation.

Key Takeaways

• Coaching helps the team resolve disagreements itself.
• The whole Scrum Team decides how it works.
• Escalating practice debates outside the team is a last resort at best.