During the Sprint, the Product Owner answers the Developers’ questions about the items they are working on. The Product Owner does not order the Sprint Backlog or run the Daily Scrum.
Exam Question
Which of the following activities will a Product Owner engage in during a Sprint? (choose the best answer)
- A. Answer questions from the Developers about items in the current Sprint.
- B. Prioritize the Developers’ work on the Sprint Backlog.
- C. Run the Daily Scrum.
- D. Update management on what is being worked on.
Correct Answer
A. Answer questions from the Developers about items in the current Sprint.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Product Backlog items are rarely fully detailed when the Sprint starts. The Scrum Guide says that during the Sprint, scope may be clarified and renegotiated with the Product Owner as more is learned. That makes the Product Owner’s availability a big part of the Sprint going well. When the Developers hit a question about behavior, priorities or trade-offs, the Product Owner helps them decide quickly so the team stays on track toward the Sprint Goal. The Sprint Backlog itself is “a plan by and for the Developers,” so how they organize that work is their decision, not the Product Owner’s.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
B. Prioritize the Developers’ work on the Sprint Backlog. The Sprint Backlog belongs to the Developers. The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog, not the Developers’ daily plan.
C. Run the Daily Scrum. The Daily Scrum is the Developers’ event. Nobody runs it for them.
D. Update management on what is being worked on. Status reporting is not a Product Owner duty in Scrum. Stakeholders can inspect progress at the Sprint Review and through visible artifacts.
Exam Tip
Remember who owns what: the Product Owner owns the Product Backlog, the Developers own the Sprint Backlog. Options that cross that line are usually wrong.
Key Takeaways
- The Product Owner stays available to clarify work during the Sprint.
- The Sprint Backlog is the Developers’ plan.
- Scope can be clarified and renegotiated with the Product Owner.
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