Answering: “Why would you expect a Product Owner to care that the Scrum Team adheres to its Definition of Done?” (PSM I)

A Product Owner cares about the Definition of Done because it affects the product’s total cost of ownership and because it shows exactly what has been done each Sprint. It is not for forecasting productivity or punishing the team.

Exam Question

Why would you expect a Product Owner to care that the Scrum Team adheres to its Definition of Done?
(choose the best two answers)
A. The Product Owner should not concern themselves with meeting the Definition of Done, it is the Developer’s responsibility.
B. To forecast the team’s productivity over time.
C. The Definition of Done can affect the product’s total cost of ownership.
D. To be able to punish the team when they don’t meet their velocity goal for the Sprint.
E. To have complete transparency into what has been done at the end of each Sprint.

Correct Answer

C and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

A weak or ignored Definition of Done lets technical debt build up. Bugs, missing tests and poor integration raise the long-term cost of maintaining and changing the product, which hurts the value the Product Owner is accountable for. That makes total cost of ownership a direct concern (C). The Definition of Done also gives transparency (E). The Scrum Guide says that if an item does not meet the Definition of Done, “it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review.” The Product Owner can trust that anything presented as Done really is Done.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. The Product Owner shouldn’t care; it’s the Developers’ job. The Product Owner is part of the Scrum Team that creates the Definition of Done, and quality directly affects value.

B. To forecast the team’s productivity. The Definition of Done describes quality, not output. It is not a productivity forecasting tool.

D. To punish the team for missing velocity. Scrum does not use velocity goals or punishment. This contradicts the Scrum values of respect and openness.

Exam Tip

When Product Owner questions mention the Definition of Done, connect it to value: lower long-term cost and clear transparency over what is finished.

Key Takeaways

• A strong Definition of Done lowers total cost of ownership.
• It tells the Product Owner what is truly Done.
• Quality is a value concern, not only a technical one.