Answering: “Which three behaviors demonstrate that a Scrum Team is self-managing?” (PSM I)

A self-managing Scrum Team has the skills to build an Increment, its Developers pick their own work, and they create their own Sprint Backlog covering everything the Definition of Done requires. Handoffs between functional roles, stakeholders steering scope and removing the Scrum Master are not signs of self-management.

Exam Question

Which three behaviors demonstrate that a Scrum Team is self-managing? (choose the best three answers)

• A. The Scrum Team has all the skills needed to create an Increment.
• B. The Developers collaboratively selecting their own work during the Sprint.
• C. The Scrum Team members are working within the boundaries of their functional description and nicely handing off work from analyst to developer to tester to integration.
• D. Stakeholders are attending the Daily Scrum to check progress and work with the Scrum Master to optimize the functional scope for the Sprint.
• E. The Developers create their own Sprint Backlog, reflecting all work that is part of the Definition of Done.
• F. The Scrum Master is no longer needed.

Correct Answer

A, B and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says Scrum Teams are self-managing, “meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and how.” The Sprint Backlog is “a plan by and for the Developers,” so creating it themselves and choosing their own tasks during the Sprint are clear signs of self-management. Option A describes cross-functionality, a related but separate trait. It is included because a team can only manage its own work end to end when it does not depend on outsiders for key skills. Together, these behaviors show a team that owns both the plan and the means to deliver it, rather than waiting for direction from outside.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

C. Members stay within functional roles and hand off work. Rigid roles and handoffs are signs of a traditional phased process. Scrum recognizes no titles or sub-teams among the Developers.

D. Stakeholders attend the Daily Scrum to adjust scope with the Scrum Master. The Daily Scrum is for the Developers, and scope is negotiated with the Product Owner. Outsiders steering the Sprint is the opposite of self-management.

F. The Scrum Master is no longer needed. The Scrum Master is a required accountability. Self-management does not make it optional.

Exam Tip

In self-management questions, look for signs that the Developers own their plan and their task choices. Options about handoffs, outside control or dropping accountabilities are wrong.

Key Takeaways

• Self-managing teams decide who does what, when and how.
• The Developers create and own the Sprint Backlog.
• Cross-functional skills make self-management possible.