No. If there is no organizational standard, the whole Scrum Team creates the Definition of Done, and the Product Owner is one member of that team. Accountability for value does not give the Product Owner final say on quality.
Exam Question
The Product Owner is the person who will be held accountable if a product does not achieve its goals or deliver value. Does this mean that the Product Owner has final say over the Definition of Done?
(choose the best answer)
- A. Yes, the Product Owner decides the Definition of Done. The Developers may be consulted.
- B. No, the Scrum Team decides the Definition of Done, if it is not a standard of the organization. The Product Owner is just one member of the Scrum Team.
Correct Answer
B. No, the Scrum Team decides the Definition of Done, if it is not a standard of the organization. The Product Owner is just one member of the Scrum Team.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Scrum Guide says “if the Definition of Done for an increment is part of the standards of the organization, all Scrum Teams must follow it as a minimum. If it is not an organizational standard, the Scrum Team must create a Definition of Done appropriate for the product.” The Product Owner brings a view of what users and stakeholders need, but the Developers bring knowledge of what quality takes in practice. Making it a shared decision protects quality and keeps it from being cut under delivery pressure. The Developers are then required to conform to it.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Yes, the Product Owner decides and the Developers may be consulted. This gives one person control over quality. The Guide assigns the Definition of Done to the Scrum Team or the organization.
Exam Tip
Remember the order: organizational standard first, then the Scrum Team. No single role owns the Definition of Done.
Key Takeaways
- Organizational standards set the minimum Definition of Done.
- Otherwise the whole Scrum Team creates it.
- Product Owner accountability for value does not override quality.
Get ready for the official PSM I exam
480 PSM I practice questions, each with an in-depth explanation like the one above.
- Practice Mode: study at your own pace and choose the test length.
- Mock Exam Mode: 80 random questions in 60 minutes, like the real exam.
$29 is ScrumPrep's one-time price. The official PSM I exam fee ($200) is paid separately to Scrum.org.
More PSM I exam questions
- At the end of a Sprint, a Product Backlog item worked on during the Sprint does not meet the Definition of Done. What two things should happen with the undone Product Backlog item?” (PSM I)
- Why would you expect a Product Owner to care that the Scrum Team adheres to its Definition of Done?” (PSM I)
- Why does the Product Owner want the Developers to adhere to its Definition of Done?” (PSM I)
- When is a Product Backlog item considered complete?” (PSM I)
- The Definition of Done serves which three purposes?” (PSM I)