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

Letting existing teams propose how to reorganize, and bringing everyone together to self-organize into Scrum Teams, both fit Scrum’s values. Manager or Chief Product Owner assignments do not.

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

The Scrum Values include openness, respect, courage and commitment. When people help design their own teams, they show respect for each other’s knowledge and commit to the result. The Scrum Guide describes Scrum Teams as self-managing and notes that teams which grow too large “should consider reorganizing into multiple cohesive Scrum Teams.” It does not say a manager should do that reorganizing for them. Asking existing teams for a proposal (B) and letting the whole group self-organize (E) both trust the people closest to the work. Both build the ownership that makes teams effective.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Managers collaborate to assign individuals to teams. Collaboration among managers is still top-down assignment. It ignores the knowledge and buy-in of the people involved.

C. The Chief Product Owner determines team structures. There is one Product Owner per product, and Scrum has no Chief Product Owner. Designing teams is not part of that accountability anyway.

D. Managers personally reassign subordinates. This is command and control. It conflicts with self-management and respect for the people doing the work.

Exam Tip

Two good answers in team-formation questions often both involve the people themselves. Eliminate any option where a manager or single role decides.

Key Takeaways

• Self-organization into teams reflects Scrum Values.
• People closest to the work design better teams.
• Top-down assignment weakens ownership.