During a Sprint, a Product Owner typically works with the Scrum Team on Product Backlog refinement and collaborates with stakeholders, users and customers. The Product Owner does not manage the Developers’ daily plan or produce hour-based reports.
Exam Question
What is a Product Owner typically responsible for during a Sprint?
(choose the best two answers)
A. Creating financial reporting upon the spent hours reported by the Developers.
B. Nothing.
C. Attending every Daily Scrum to answer questions about the Sprint Backlog items.
D. Working with the Scrum Team on Product Backlog refinement.
E. Collaborating with stakeholders, users, and customers.
F. Updating the work plan for the Developers on a daily basis.
Correct Answer
D and E.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Product Owner is “accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.” During the Sprint, that means preparing upcoming work through refinement with the team, and staying close to stakeholders, users and customers to understand needs and gather feedback. Those conversations shape the Product Backlog and the next Sprint Goal. The Product Owner is also available to the Developers to clarify items as questions come up, but the Sprint Backlog and daily plan belong to the Developers.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Producing financial reports from Developers’ reported hours. Scrum does not track hours, and hour-based reports say little about value.
B. Nothing. The Product Owner has plenty to do during the Sprint, including refinement and stakeholder work.
C. Attending every Daily Scrum to answer questions. The Daily Scrum is for the Developers. The Product Owner may attend if working on Sprint Backlog items, but attending every one is not a typical responsibility.
F. Updating the Developers’ work plan every day. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers. The Product Owner does not manage it.
Exam Tip
Product Owner answers during the Sprint look outward to stakeholders and ahead to the Product Backlog, not into the Developers’ daily work.
Key Takeaways
- Refinement with the team is ongoing Product Owner work.
- Stakeholder and customer collaboration continues during the Sprint.
- The Developers own the daily plan.
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