Never. No individual Developer becomes accountable for the value of a single item, because the whole Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.
Exam Question
When does a Developer become accountable for the value of a Product Backlog item selected for the Sprint?
(choose the best answer)
A. At the Sprint Planning Event.
B. Never. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.
C. Whenever a team member can accommodate more work.
D. During the Daily Scrum.
Correct Answer
B. Never. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Scrum Guide states that “the entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint.” Within that, the Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product, and the Developers are accountable for things like creating the Sprint Backlog and instilling quality through the Definition of Done. Accountability for value is never handed to one Developer per item. Individuals may pick up tasks, but they do so as part of a team that owns the Sprint Goal together, with “no sub-teams or hierarchies.”
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. At Sprint Planning. Sprint Planning produces a team plan. Selecting items does not assign value accountability to individuals.
C. Whenever a team member can take on more work. Capacity has nothing to do with accountability. Taking on a task does not make one person accountable for its value.
D. During the Daily Scrum. The Daily Scrum adapts the Developers’ plan toward the Sprint Goal. It does not transfer accountability to individuals.
Exam Tip
Answers that place accountability on an individual Developer for an item are traps. Scrum keeps accountability for the Increment at the Scrum Team level.
Key Takeaways
- The whole Scrum Team is accountable for a valuable Increment.
- The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing product value.
- Picking up a task never makes one Developer accountable for its value.
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More PSPO I exam questions
- A Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product that is the result of the work of the Scrum Team. Which of the following can be delegated to others, while the Product Owner remains accountable for the work?
- The Definition of Done serves which three purposes?” (PSPO I)
- Which statement best describes the Sprint Backlog as the output of the Sprint Planning?” (PSPO I)
- When should a Sprint Goal be created?” (PSPO I)
- A new Developer is having continuing conflicts with existing members of the Scrum Team, which is impacting the delivery of the Increment. If necessary, who is responsible for removing the Developer from the Scrum Team?