Answering: “Who is accountable for tracking the remaining work toward the Sprint Goal?” (PSPO I)

The Developers are accountable for tracking the remaining work toward the Sprint Goal. It is their plan, so they monitor it and adjust it.

Exam Question

Who is accountable for tracking the remaining work toward the Sprint Goal?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Scrum Master.
B. The Project Manager.
C. The Product Owner.
D. The Developers.

Correct Answer

D. The Developers.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide lists among the Developers’ accountabilities “adapting their plan each day toward the Sprint Goal.” It also calls the Sprint Backlog “a plan by and for the Developers.” Tracking how much work is left is part of owning that plan. At every Daily Scrum, the Developers inspect progress and adjust. They may use burn-downs, boards or any other technique they like. The Product Owner tracks progress toward the Product Goal on the Product Backlog, which is a different level. The Scrum Master may help the team find useful practices, but does not own the tracking.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. The Scrum Master. The Scrum Master coaches and supports. Tracking Sprint work is not their accountability.

B. The Project Manager. Scrum has no project manager. Tracking belongs to the people doing the work.

C. The Product Owner. The Product Owner tracks progress toward the Product Goal across Sprints, not the remaining Sprint work.

Exam Tip

Match the level of tracking to its owner: Sprint work and the Sprint Goal go to the Developers; the Product Backlog and Product Goal go to the Product Owner.

Key Takeaways

• The Sprint Backlog is the Developers’ plan.
• Developers inspect remaining work at least daily.
• Product-level progress is the Product Owner’s concern.