Answering: “Who does the work to make sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done?” (PSPO I)

The Developers do the work to make sure Product Backlog items meet the Definition of Done. Quality is built in by the people building the product, not checked by a separate group.

Exam Question

Who does the work to make sure Product Backlog items conform to the Definition of Done?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Quality Assurance Team.
B. The Scrum Team.
C. The Scrum Master.
D. The Product Owner.
E. The Developers.

Correct Answer

E. The Developers.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide lists “Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done” as one of the Developers’ accountabilities. Developers are the people in the Scrum Team committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint, which includes design, coding, testing and integration. The whole Scrum Team shares accountability for a valuable Increment, but the hands-on work of meeting the Definition of Done belongs to the Developers. Because Scrum Teams are cross-functional, they need no outside QA team to finish their work.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. The Quality Assurance Team. Scrum has no separate QA team. Testing is part of the Developers’ work inside the Sprint.

B. The Scrum Team. The Scrum Team is accountable for the Increment overall, but the question asks who does the work. That is the Developers specifically.

C. The Scrum Master. The Scrum Master helps the team focus on high-value Increments that meet the Definition of Done, but does not do the building.

D. The Product Owner. The Product Owner manages value and the Product Backlog. Meeting the Definition of Done is not their work.

Exam Tip

Pay attention to whether the question asks who is accountable or who does the work. “Does the work” on the product points to the Developers.

Key Takeaways

• Developers instill quality by adhering to the Definition of Done.
• Scrum Teams need no separate QA department.
• “Who does the work” and “who is accountable” can differ.