When the Developers do not understand a functional requirement, they should collaborate with the Product Owner to work out what is possible and acceptable. Adding people, deferring the work or delivering half of it does not solve the misunderstanding.
Exam Question
When Developers are having trouble delivering an Increment because they do not understand a functional requirement, what should they do? (choose the best answer)
- A. Add a specialist to the Development Team.
- B. Defer the work to a more appropriate Sprint.
- C. Partially complete the functionality, and discuss the remaining work at the Sprint Review.
- D. Collaborate with the Product Owner to determine what is possible and acceptable.
Correct Answer
D. Collaborate with the Product Owner to determine what is possible and acceptable.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Product Owner is accountable for “creating and clearly communicating Product Backlog items” and for making sure the Product Backlog is understood. The Scrum Guide says that if work turns out to be different than expected, the Developers “collaborate with the Product Owner to negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint without affecting the Sprint Goal.” Talking it through often reveals a simpler version that still delivers value. This keeps the Sprint Goal in focus and avoids building the wrong thing.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Add a specialist to the team. The problem is unclear requirements, not missing skills. Adding people mid-Sprint also disrupts the team.
B. Defer the work to a more appropriate Sprint. Deferring avoids the problem without clarifying it, and it may put the Sprint Goal at risk.
C. Partially complete it and discuss the rest at the Sprint Review. Partly done work does not meet the Definition of Done and cannot be presented as part of the Increment.
Exam Tip
When the Developers are unsure what is wanted, the answer is almost always to talk to the Product Owner right away.
Key Takeaways
- Unclear requirements are resolved with the Product Owner.
- Scope can be renegotiated within the Sprint Goal.
- Partly done work is not part of the Increment.
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More PSM I exam questions
- Which do self-managing Developers choose?
- As the Developers start work during the Sprint, they realize they have selected too much work to finish in the Sprint. What should they do?” (PSM I)
- How should a Scrum Team deal with non-functional requirements?
- True or False: Multiple Scrum Teams working on the same product or system all select work from the same Product Backlog.” (PSM I)
- True or False: Each Scrum Team should have a separate Product Owner.