30 Free Scrum PSM-I Practice Questions

PSM-I Practice Questions

1. Question 1.You have just been hired by a company new to Scrum. Your management has assigned you to be the Scrum Master of six new Scrum Teams. These teams will build one product. Select two conditions you should strive for in this scenario. (choose two)

   • A.There should be six Product Owners, one for each Scrum Team.
   • B.There should be six Product Owners, reporting to a chief Product Owner.
   • C.The product has one Product Backlog.(correct answer)
   • D.Each Scrum Team should have a separate Product Backlog.
   • E.There should be only one Product Owner.(correct answer)
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: C, E

   The product has one Product Backlog. / There should be only one Product Owner.

   Explanation

   According to the Scrum Guide, even when multiple Scrum Teams work on a single product, they should have one Product Backlog and one Product Owner to ensure clear accountability and a unified vision.

2. Question 2.A Scrum Team has been working on a product for nine Sprints. A new Product Owner comes in, understanding he is accountable for the Product Backlog. However, he is unsure about his responsibilities. Which two activities are part of the Product Owner role according to Scrum? (choose two)

   • A.Ensuring that the most valuable functionality is produced first, at all times.(correct answer)
   • B.Interacting with stakeholders.(correct answer)
   • C.Providing the Scrum Team with detailed specifications.
   • D.Describing features as Use Cases.
   • E.Creating detailed functional test cases.
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: A, B

   Ensuring that the most valuable functionality is produced first, at all times. / Interacting with stakeholders.

   Explanation

   The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. This involve managing the Product Backlog and engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs.

3. Question 3.User documentation is part of your Definition of Done. However, there aren't enough technical writers for all teams. Your Developers don't have a technical writer. What should you do?

   • A.Form a separate team of technical writers that will work on an on-demand basis for the various Product Owners. Work order will be first in, first out.
   • B.Let the user documentation remain undone and accumulate until after the last development Sprint. It will then be done by any available technical writers.
   • C.Wait until you have a technical writer on your Scrum Team to take care of this.
   • D.Your Scrum Team is still responsible for creating user documentation. In this case, the Scrum Team members will write it.(correct answer)
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: D

   Your Scrum Team is still responsible for creating user documentation. In this case, the Scrum Team members will write it.

   Explanation

   The Scrum Team is cross-functional and possesses all the skills necessary to create a Done Increment each Sprint. If a technical writer is unavailable, the team must still fulfill the Definition of Done themselves.

4. Question 4.You are the Scrum Master for four Scrum Teams working from the same Product Backlog. Several of the Developers come to you complaining that work identified for the upcoming two Sprints will require full-time commitment from a technical specialist who is external to the teams. What are two key concerns for the Scrum Master to take into account in this situation? (choose two)

   • A.The desire to maintain a stable velocity.
   • B.The benefit of Developers figuring out a solution for themselves.(correct answer)
   • C.The need to have enough work to keep all Developers busy.
   • D.The ability of the Developers to produce integrated Increments.(correct answer)
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: B, D

   The benefit of Developers figuring out a solution for themselves. / The ability of the Developers to produce integrated Increments.

   Explanation

   The Scrum Master encourages self-management and helps the team deliver a high-quality integrated increment. Depending on external specialists can create dependencies and hinder the team's ability to solve problems autonomously.

5. Question 5.The Product Backlog is ordered by:

   • A.The Product Owner with the most valuable items placed at the top.(correct answer)
   • B.Risk, where safer items are at the top, and riskier items are at the bottom.
   • C.Items are randomly arranged.
   • D.Size, where small items are at the top and large items are at the bottom.
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: A

   The Product Owner with the most valuable items placed at the top.

   Explanation

   The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is ordered by the Product Owner primarily based on value, risk, priority, and necessity.

6. Question 6.What happens if the Scrum Team cannot complete its work by the end of the Sprint?

   • A.The Sprint is extended and future Sprints use this new duration.
   • B.The Sprint length holds and the Scrum Team continuously learns what is actually possible to do within a Sprint of this length.(correct answer)
   • C.The Sprint is extended temporarily. Lessons are taken to ensure it doesn't happen again.
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: B

   The Sprint length holds and the Scrum Team continuously learns what is actually possible to do within a Sprint of this length.

   Explanation

   Sprint length is a fixed time-box. If work is not completed, the Sprint still ends. The team reflects on this in the Retrospective and adjusts their planning for future Sprints.

7. Question 7.Which topics should be discussed in the Sprint Review?

   • A.The Scrum process, and how it was used during the Sprint.
   • B.Coding and engineering practices.
   • C.Sprint results.(correct answer)
   • D.All of the above.
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: C

   Sprint results.

   Explanation

   The Sprint Review is intended for the Scrum Team and stakeholders to inspect the outcome of the Sprint (the results) and determine future adaptations. It is not a process review (that's the Retrospective).

8. Question 8.A member of the Scrum Team takes the Scrum Master aside to express his concerns about data security issues. What should the Scrum Master do?

   • A.Add security to the Definition of Done.
   • B.Tell the Product Owner to stop further development of features until the issues are fixed.
   • C.Create a Product Backlog item for security.
   • D.Go check with the testers.
   • E.Ask the person to share the issue with the team as soon as possible.(correct answer)
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: E

   Ask the person to share the issue with the team as soon as possible.

   Explanation

   The Scrum Master facilitates team communication and self-management. Issues that affect the product or the team's ability to deliver should be discussed by the entire team to find a collective solution.

9. Question 9.What does it mean for a Scrum Team to be cross-functional?

   • A.The Scrum Team includes not only Developers but also business analysts, architects, and testers.
   • B.The Scrum Team includes cross-skilled individuals who are able to contribute to do what is necessary to deliver an Increment of software.(correct answer)
   • C.Developers on the Scrum Team work closely with business analysts, architects, Developers and testers who are not on the team.
   • D.The Scrum Team is a virtual team drawing from separate teams of business analysts, architects, Developers and testers.
   Show answer & explanationHide answer

   Correct answer: B

   The Scrum Team includes cross-skilled individuals who are able to contribute to do what is necessary to deliver an Increment of software.

   Explanation

   Cross-functional teams have all the competencies needed to accomplish the work without depending on others outside the team. It doesn't mean every member is an expert in everything, but the team as a whole is self-sufficient.

10. Question 10.Sprint burndown charts are an efficient tracking tool, because they show:

    • A.An estimate of the total work remaining for the Sprint.(correct answer)
    • B.How much effort has gone into a Sprint.
    • C.How many hours have been worked by each Scrum Team member.
    • D.How many Product Backlog items remain.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A

    An estimate of the total work remaining for the Sprint.

    Explanation

    A burndown chart typically plots the remaining work (usually in hours or points) against time in the Sprint, providing a visual representation of progress toward the Sprint Goal.

11. Question 11.How much work must a Scrum Team do to a Product Backlog item it selects for a Sprint?

    • A.A proportional amount of time on analysis, design, programming, testing, and documentation.
    • B.As much as it can fit into the Sprint. Any remaining work will be transferred to a subsequent Sprint.
    • C.All development work and at least some testing.
    • D.As much as it has told the Product Owner will be done for every Product Backlog item it selects in conformance with the Definition of Done.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: D

    As much as it has told the Product Owner will be done for every Product Backlog item it selects in conformance with the Definition of Done.

    Explanation

    The Scrum Team must complete all work required to achieve the Definition of Done for each item selected. This ensures that the increment is potentially releasable.

12. Question 12.Which statement best describes the Sprint Backlog as outcome of the Sprint Planning?

    • A.It is a complete list of all work to be done in a Sprint.
    • B.Every item has a designated owner.
    • C.Each task is estimated in hours.
    • D.It is the Scrum Team's plan for the Sprint.(correct answer)
    • E.It is ordered by the Product Owner.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: D

    It is the Scrum Team's plan for the Sprint.

    Explanation

    The Sprint Backlog is the Developers' plan for the Sprint. It consists of the Sprint Goal, the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, and an actionable plan for delivering the Increment.

13. Question 13.If burndown charts are used to visualize progress, what does a trend line through a release burndown chart indicate? (choose the best answer)

    • A.The evolution of the cost spent on the project.
    • B.When all work will be completed to the Scrum Team can be released for other work.
    • C.When the work remaining will likely be completed if nothing changes on the Product Backlog or the Developers.(correct answer)
    • D.When the project will be over if the Product Owner removes work that is equal in effort to any new work that is added.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: C

    When the work remaining will likely be completed if nothing changes on the Product Backlog or the Developers.

    Explanation

    A trend line in a burndown chart projects the completion date based on current velocity and the remaining work, assuming constraints remain constant.

14. Question 14.Who is responsible for engaging the stakeholders? (choose the best answer)

    • A.The Business Analyst.
    • B.The Developers.
    • C.The Team Manager.
    • D.The Project Manager.
    • E.The Product Owner.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: E

    The Product Owner.

    Explanation

    The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and for managing the Product Backlog, which includes identifying and communicating with stakeholders.

15. Question 15.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? (choose the best two answers)

    • A.If the stakeholders agree, the Product Owner can accept it and release it to the users.
    • B.Put it on the Product Backlog for the Product Owner to decide what to do with it.(correct answer)
    • C.Review the item, add the Done part of the estimate to the velocity and create a Story for the remaining work.
    • D.Do not include the item in the Increment this Sprint.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: B, D

    Put it on the Product Backlog for the Product Owner to decide what to do with it. / Do not include the item in the Increment this Sprint.

    Explanation

    Undone items are not part of the Increment. They are returned to the Product Backlog where they are re-evaluated and re-estimated during future planning.

16. Question 16.Which two of the following are true about the Scrum Master role? (choose the best two answers)

    • A.At the Sprint Review, the Scrum Master identifies what has been "done" and what has not been "done".
    • B.The Scrum Master teaches the Developers to keep the Scrum meetings to their time-box.(correct answer)
    • C.The Scrum Master helps those outside the team interact with the Scrum Team.(correct answer)
    • D.The Scrum Master assigns tasks to Developers when they need work.
    • E.The Scrum Master is responsible for updating the Sprint Burndown.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: B, C

    The Scrum Master teaches the Developers to keep the Scrum meetings to their time-box. / The Scrum Master helps those outside the team interact with the Scrum Team.

    Explanation

    The Scrum Master is a servant-leader who helps the team manage itself. This includes coaching them on time-boxing and managing external interactions to maximize the team's focus.

17. Question 17.What are three benefits of self-management? (choose the best three answers)

    • A.Increased creativity.(correct answer)
    • B.Increased rule compliance.
    • C.Increased accuracy of estimates.
    • D.Increased self-accountability(correct answer)
    • E.Increased commitment.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A, D, E

    Increased creativity. / Increased self-accountability / Increased commitment.

    Explanation

    Self-managing teams decide who does what, when, and how. This autonomy leads to higher commitment, accountability, and fosters creativity because the team is empowered to find the best solutions.

18. Question 18.Which three of the following are time-boxed events in Scrum? (choose the best three answers)

    • A.Release Testing.
    • B.Release Retrospective.
    • C.Sprint Retrospective.(correct answer)
    • D.Sprint Planning.(correct answer)
    • E.Sprint Testing.
    • F.Sprint 0.
    • G.Daily Scrum.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: C, D, G

    Sprint Retrospective. / Sprint Planning. / Daily Scrum.

    Explanation

    Scrum has five official events: The Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. All are time-boxed to create consistency and minimize waste.

19. Question 19.Who is responsible for clearly expressing Product Backlog items? (choose the best answer)

    • A.The Scrum Master, or the Scrum Master may have the Developers do it.
    • B.The Scrum Master.
    • C.The Product Owner.(correct answer)
    • D.The business analyst who represents the Product Owner in the Scrum Team.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: C

    The Product Owner.

    Explanation

    The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes developing and explicitly communicating Product Backlog items.

20. Question 20.What is the best suited structure for Scrum Teams in order to produce integrated Increments? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Each Scrum Team works only one technical layer of the system (e.g. GUI, database, middle tier, interfaces).
    • B.Each Scrum Team develops functionality from beginning to end throughout all technical layers.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: B

    Each Scrum Team develops functionality from beginning to end throughout all technical layers.

    Explanation

    Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning they have all the skills necessary to create value each Sprint. Building 'feature teams' that can navigate all layers is more efficient for producing 'Done' increments than 'component teams'.

21. Question 21.Why should the Product Owner be present at the Daily Scrum? (choose the best answer)

    • A.He/She doesn't need to be there.(correct answer)
    • B.To hear about impediments in functionality.
    • C.To represent the stakeholder's point of view.
    • D.To participate as a Scrum Team member.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A

    He/She doesn't need to be there.

    Explanation

    The Daily Scrum is for the Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog. While the PO and SM can attend, they are not required to be present unless they are also doing work as Developers.

22. Question 22.What two techniques could the Scrum Master use when the Scrum Team gets caught in an internal disagreement about which development techniques to apply? (choose the best two answers)

    • A.Involve the complete Scrum Team.(correct answer)
    • B.Use coaching techniques; such as open questions and active listening.(correct answer)
    • C.Ask an external technical specialist to make the decision.
    • D.Send every team member to the company's Human Resources department to express their concerns.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A, B

    Involve the complete Scrum Team. / Use coaching techniques; such as open questions and active listening.

    Explanation

    A Scrum Master serves the team by coaching them in self-management and cross-functionality. Facilitating a team discussion and using coaching techniques helps the team resolve their own conflicts.

23. Question 23.What enhances the transparency of an Increment? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Doing all work needed to meet the Definition of Done(correct answer)
    • B.Reporting Sprint progress to the stakeholders daily
    • C.Keeping track of and estimating all undone work to be completed in a separate Sprint.
    • D.Updating Sprint tasks properly in the electronic tracking tool.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A

    Doing all work needed to meet the Definition of Done

    Explanation

    The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing a common understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment.

24. Question 24.Who determines how work is performed during the Sprint? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Architects.
    • B.The Scrum Team.(correct answer)
    • C.The Scrum Master.
    • D.Subject matter experts.
    • E.The Developers managers.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: B

    The Scrum Team.

    Explanation

    Scrum Teams are self-managing, meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and how.

25. Question 25.When does the second Sprint start? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Once the architectural changes for the second Sprint have been approved by the senior architect.
    • B.After the Product Backlog for the second Sprint has been selected.
    • C.Immediately after the first Sprint.(correct answer)
    • D.After the customer completes acceptance testing of the first Sprint.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: C

    Immediately after the first Sprint.

    Explanation

    A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.

26. Question 26.What is included in the Sprint Backlog? (choose the best answer)

    • A.User Stories.
    • B.Tasks.
    • C.Use Cases.
    • D.Tests.
    • E.Any of the above (or others) which are a decomposition of the selected Product Backlog items.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: E

    Any of the above (or others) which are a decomposition of the selected Product Backlog items.

    Explanation

    The Sprint Backlog is the Developers' plan for the Sprint. It is a compilation of the Sprint Goal, the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, and an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (often decomposed into tasks).

27. Question 27.Which of the following are true about the Product Owner role? (choose the best two answers)

    • A.The Product Owner is one person.(correct answer)
    • B.The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog.(correct answer)
    • C.Multiple people can share the Product Owner role on a Scrum Team.
    • D.The Product Owner role can be played by a committee or a team of people.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A, B

    The Product Owner is one person. / The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog.

    Explanation

    The Product Owner is one person, not a committee. They represent the needs of many stakeholders in the Product Backlog, but only one person makes the final decisions on its contents and ordering.

28. Question 28.True or False: When multiple teams work together on the same product, each team should maintain a separate Product Backlog.

    • A.True.
    • B.False.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: B

    False.

    Explanation

    One product has one Product Backlog. Multiple Scrum Teams working on the same product share the same Product Backlog.

29. Question 29.If two Scrum Teams are added to the development of a product that previously had only one Scrum Team, what will be the immediate impact on the productivity of the original Scrum Team? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Its productivity is likely to decrease.(correct answer)
    • B.Its productivity is likely to stay the same.
    • C.Its productivity is likely to increase.
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: A

    Its productivity is likely to decrease.

    Explanation

    Adding more teams introduces communication overhead and potential integration complexities, which typically leads to an immediate decrease in the individual productivity of existing teams as they adjust.

30. Question 30.A Scrum Master is introducing Scrum to a new Scrum Team. The Scrum Team has decided that a Sprint Retrospective is unnecessary. What action should the Scrum Master take? (choose the best answer)

    • A.Call a meeting between the Scrum Team and senior management.
    • B.Comply with the decision of the self-managing team.
    • C.Consult with the Product Owner to see how he/she feels about the situation.
    • D.Begin facilitating productive and useful Sprint Retrospectives.(correct answer)
    Show answer & explanationHide answer

    Correct answer: D

    Begin facilitating productive and useful Sprint Retrospectives.

    Explanation

    The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the time-box. They must teach the team why these events are necessary.

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