Answering: “Which two things are appropriate for a Scrum Master to do, if the Scrum Team does not have the tools and environment to completely finish each selected Product Backlog item?” (PSM I)

The Scrum Master should help the team set a Definition of Done it can really meet today, then coach it to improve its skills, tools and environment and tighten that Definition of Done over time. Accepting undone work or pausing Scrum are the wrong moves.

Exam Question

Which two things are appropriate for a Scrum Master to do, if the Scrum Team does not have the tools and environment to completely finish each selected Product Backlog item? (choose the best two answers)

• A. Refocus the current Sprint on establishing the Scrum Team’s environment instead of delivering an Increment.
• B. Have the Scrum Team establish a Definition of Done that is actually possible to achieve given the current circumstances.
• C. Declare the Scrum Team not ready for Scrum.
• D. Encourage the Product Owner to accept partially done Increments until the situation improves.
• E. Coach the Scrum Team to improve its skills, tools and environment over time and adjust the Definition of Done accordingly.

Correct Answer

B and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Transparency depends on an honest Definition of Done. The Scrum Guide says “Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done.” If the team claims a standard it cannot reach, every Increment hides undone work and the inspection at the Sprint Review is based on false information. So the team starts with a Definition of Done that reflects what it can actually achieve. The Scrum Master then helps the team remove the constraints, for example by improving build tooling or test environments. As capability grows, the Definition of Done becomes more stringent, bringing each Increment closer to releasable.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Refocus the Sprint on building the environment instead of an Increment. Every Sprint should produce at least one usable Increment. Environment work can happen alongside product work, not in place of it.

C. Declare the team not ready for Scrum. Scrum helps expose and fix exactly this kind of problem. Stopping removes the feedback loop that drives improvement.

D. Have the Product Owner accept partially done Increments. Partially done work is not an Increment. Accepting it hides risk and destroys transparency.

Exam Tip

When a team lacks tools or skills, look for answers that keep the Definition of Done honest and improve it over time. Answers that hide undone work or stop Scrum are wrong.

Key Takeaways

• An honest Definition of Done keeps the Increment transparent.
• The Scrum Master coaches the team to remove constraints.
• The Definition of Done should grow stricter as capability improves.