Answering: “Which two ways of creating Scrum Teams are consistent with Scrum’s values?” (PSPO I)

Two approaches fit Scrum’s values: let existing teams propose how to reorganize, or bring everyone together and let them self-organize into Scrum Teams. Having managers or a Chief Product Owner assign people goes against self-management.

Exam Question

Which two ways of creating Scrum Teams are consistent with Scrum’s values?
(choose the best two answers)
A. Managers collaborate to assign individuals to specific teams.
B. Existing teams propose how they would like to go about organizing into the new structure.
C. The Chief Product Owner determines the new team structures and assignments.
D. Managers personally re-assign current subordinates to new teams.
E. Bring all the people together and let them self-organize into Scrum Teams.

Correct Answer

B and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Scrum Teams are self-managing, meaning “they internally decide who does what, when, and how.” Self-management works best when it starts with how the teams are formed. People know their own skills, working relationships and interests better than anyone assigning them from above. Letting them shape the structure builds commitment and respect, two of the five Scrum Values, and makes it more likely each team will be cross-functional and able to deliver a Done Increment. Leaders still set constraints, such as product areas and team size of about 10 or fewer, but the people doing the work make the choices inside those limits.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Managers collaborate to assign individuals to teams. Even collaborative manager assignment takes the decision away from the people who will do the work.

C. The Chief Product Owner decides team structure and assignments. There is no Chief Product Owner in Scrum, and the Product Owner does not manage team membership.

D. Managers personally reassign their subordinates. This is top-down command and control, the opposite of self-management.

Exam Tip

For questions about forming teams, choose the options where the people themselves decide. Look for words like “self-organize” or “propose” over “assign.”

Key Takeaways

• Self-management can start with how teams are formed.
• People choosing their teams builds commitment.
• Scrum has no Chief Product Owner role.