The Product Owner is the sole person accountable for managing the Product Backlog and ensuring the value of the work the Scrum Team performs. The Product Owner is one person, not a committee. The Product Owner may represent the desires of a committee in the Product Backlog, but those wanting to change a Product Backlog item’s priority must address the Product Owner1. The Product Owner is responsible for the product and its outcome2.

A product is a vehicle to deliver value. It has a clear boundary, known stakeholders, well-defined users or customers. A product could be a physical product, a software product, a service, a project, or something else3. A product has a product vision, which is the overarching goal of the product, the reason for creating it, and the impact it should have on its customers and users4.

A portfolio is a collection of products or projects that are aligned with a strategic goal or an organizational unit5. A program is a group of related projects or products that are managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually. A portfolio or a program may have a portfolio or program manager, who is responsible for overseeing the alignment, prioritization, and governance of the portfolio or program . However, these roles are not equivalent to the Product Owner role, as they do not have the same accountabilities and authorities as the Product Owner.

Therefore, the correct answer is that a Product Owner is needed for every product, not for every portfolio or program. References: 1: Scrum Guide 2: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework 3: Managing Products with Agility 4: [Product Vision] 5: [Portfolio] : [Program] : [Portfolio Management] : [Program Management]

Option A is the best answer because it reflects the agile and empirical nature of Scrum and Product Ownership. The Product Vision is a concise and inspiring statement that describes the purpose, direction, and value proposition of the product1. The Product Vision is not a fixed or static document, but rather an emergent and dynamic one that adapts to the changing environment, needs, and feedback. The Product Owner is accountable for creating and communicating the Product Vision to the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The Product Owner collaborates with the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to inspect and adapt the Product Vision based on the new insights, opportunities, and learnings that arise from the changing environment34. The Product Owner also uses various techniques, such as product discovery, user research, market analysis, and experiments, to validate and refine the Product Vision5 .

Option B is not the best answer because it contradicts the accountability of the Product Owner. The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for managing the Product Backlog and maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is also the sole person responsible for creating and communicating the Product Vision to the Scrum Team and the stakeholders2. The Product Owner may seek input and feedback from the Scrum Team and the stakeholders, but the final decision and authority on the Product Vision belongs to the Product Owner. The Scrum Team and the stakeholders are not accountable for developing and evolving the Product Vision, but they are expected to understand and support it .

Option C is not the best answer because it contradicts the reality and complexity of product development. The Product Vision is not a technical specification, but rather a strategic and business-oriented statement that guides the development of the product1. The Product Vision does not prescribe how the product should be built, but rather why and what the product should achieve. However, the Product Vision is not completely detached from the technical aspects of the product, as the technology choices may have an impact on the feasibility, desirability, and viability of the product. The Product Owner should be aware of the strategic technology choices and their implications, and discuss them with the Development Team and the stakeholders, as part of the product discovery and validation process .

References:

1: Product Vision

2: Product Owner Accountabilities

3: Empiricism

4: Stakeholders & Customers

5: Product Discovery

: Product Backlog Management

: The Scrum Guide

: Scrum Team

: Product Value

: Product Feasibility

: Product Validation

: [Agile Manifesto]

: [User Research]

: [Market Analysis]

: [Experiments]

A. Importance to users or customers: The value an item brings to the customer is a key factor in ordering the Product Backlog1.

B. Alignment with organizational strategy and goals: The Product Owner should consider how well an item aligns with the organization’s strategy and goals1.

C. Risk: Business, market, and technology risks are important considerations when ordering the Product Backlog1.

D. Alignment with other Product Backlog items: Dependencies and impact on other items in the Product Backlog should be considered1.

Option D is the best answer because it indicates that the Product Owner and the Scrum Team are not aligned on the vision, goals, and value of the product. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team1. Todo so, the Product Owner needs to work closely with the Scrum Team, communicate the product vision, provide clear and valuable Product Backlog items, collaborate on the Sprint Goal, and inspect and adapt the product based on feedback23. If the Increment presented at the Sprint Review does not reflect the Product Owner’s expectations, it means that there is a gap between what the Product Owner wants and what the Scrum Team delivers. This gap can lead to waste, rework, dissatisfaction, and missed opportunities. The Product Owner should work more with the Scrum Team to ensure that they have a shared understanding of the product and its value proposition, and that they deliver Increments that meet the Definition of Done and the acceptance criteria45.

Option A is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. People may leave the Scrum Team for various reasons, such as personal, professional, or organizational factors. While the Product Owner should care about the well-being and motivation of the Scrum Team members, and try to foster a positive and collaborative environment, the Product Owner is not accountable for the people management or the team composition1. The Scrum Master is more likely to address the issues that cause people to leave the Scrum Team, such as impediments, conflicts, or dysfunctions.

Option B is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is expected to spend enough time with the Scrum Team to provide them with the necessary guidance and feedback2. However, the Product Owner also has other responsibilities, such as engaging with stakeholders, customers, and users, managing the Product Backlog, validating the product value, and aligning the product strategy with the business goals12. The Product Owner does not need to work full time with the Scrum Team, as long as they are available and accessible when needed, and they empower the Scrum Team to make decisions and self-organize .

Option C is not the best answer because it does not necessarily imply that the Product Owner needs to work more with the Scrum Team. The acceptance criteria for the Product Backlog items are the conditions that must be met for the items to be considered done and valuable. The Product Owner is accountable for defining and communicating the acceptance criteria to the Scrum Team1. However, the Product Owner can also collaborate with the Scrum Team and the stakeholders to refine and clarify the acceptance criteria, and to ensure that they are aligned with the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal . The acceptance criteria for the Product Backlog items may not appear to be complete at the beginning of the Sprint, but they can be refined and updated throughout the Sprint, as long as they do not change the scope or the value of the items. The Product Owner should work with the Scrum Team to ensure that the acceptance criteria are clear, testable, and valuable, but they do not need to work more with the Scrum Team just because the acceptance criteria are not complete at a certain point in time.

References:

1: Product Owner Accountabilities

2: Product Backlog Management

3: Product Value

4: Product Vision

5: Sprint Review

: Scrum Master Accountabilities

: Stakeholders & Customers

: Business Strategy

: Definition of Done

: Product Backlog Refinement

: Sprint Planning

: Sprint Backlog

According to the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II certification guide1, the Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed and what standards were met as part of the Increment. If the Definition of Done is not met, the Increment is not Done and cannot be released. Therefore, the following statements are true:

A. The next Sprint may be interrupted when quality issues are encountered. This is true because the Scrum Team may have to spend time fixing the quality issues in the previous Increment before working on the new Sprint Backlog items. This may affect the Sprint Goal and the delivery of value.

C. The indication of progress on the Product Backlog is not transparent. This is true because the Product Backlog items that were supposedly Done in the previous Sprint are actually not Done according to the Definition of Done. This means that the Product Owner cannot accurately forecast the release plan and the stakeholders cannot trust the progress reports.

D. The Scrum Team should not release the Increment. This is true because releasing an Increment that does not meet the Definition of Done may compromise the quality, usability, and value of the product. It may also damage the reputation and trust of the Scrum Team and the organization.

E. The incomplete Sprint Backlog items should be returned to the Product Backlog. This is true because the Sprint Backlog items that were not Done according to the Definition of Done are still part of the Product Backlog. The Product Owner should re-order them based on their value and priority and decide when to include them in the next Sprint.

The following statement is false:

B. The project manager cannot effectively update the plan. This is false because there is no project manager role in Scrum. The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog and the value delivery, while the Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Scrum process and removing impediments. The Developers are responsible for managing the Sprint Backlog and the quality of the Increment.

References: 1: Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification | Scrum.org

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

A Product Owner’sprimary responsibilityis to maximize the value of the product by ensuring that it isuseful, relevant, and meets customer needs. The correct focus areas include usability, functionality, and customer feedback.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

A. How swiftly and easily the product can be consumed and used by customers. (Correct)

Ausable, accessible productenhances customer satisfaction and adoption.

Ease of use is a key factor in delivering value.

B. The size of the product in "lines of code". (Incorrect)

Code volume does not determine value.More lines of code may indicate inefficiency, not quality.

The focus should be on delivering meaningful functionality, not measuring size.

C. How much of the functionality of the product is being utilized. (Correct)

Tracking feature usagehelps determine which functionalities provide real value.

Low usage may indicate unnecessary features or poor usability, guiding future improvements.

D. Direct customer feedback. (Correct)

Customer feedback is crucial for validating assumptions and guiding product development.

Frequent interaction with customers helps ensure the product meets real needs.

E. Minimizing changes to project scope. (Incorrect)

Agility requires adaptability.Changes to scope are often necessary to meet evolving market demands.

A Product Owner shouldwelcome changesif they enhance product value.

Key Scrum Guide Principles Supporting These Answers:

"The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team."

"The Product Backlog is a dynamic artifact that evolves as the product and its environment change."

"Empirical process control relies on regular customer feedback to inspect and adapt."

Conclusion:

AProduct Owner should focus on usability, functionality usage, and customer feedbackto ensure the product is valuable and useful.Minimizing scope changes or measuring code size are not valid strategies in Agile product development.

According to the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II certification guide1, the Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. It is a commitment made by the Scrum Team during Sprint Planning. The Sprint Goal provides guidance to the Developers on why it is valuable to build a coherent Increment. The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint. The whole Scrum Team then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is valuable to stakeholders. The Product Owner should not dictate the Sprint Goal, but rather collaborate with the Developers and the Scrum Master to create a shared understanding and alignment. The other options are not activities that a Product Owner should never do, because they are either part of the Product Owner’s accountabilities (A, C, D) or may be done in collaboration with others (A, D). References: 1: Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification | Scrum.org

The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. They are also accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes clearly expressing Product Backlog items, ordering them to best achieve goals and missions, ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible andunderstood. The Product Owner may do the above work or may delegate the responsibility to others. However, the Product Owner remains accountable1.

When working with multiple Scrum Teams on the same product, the Product Owner should ensure that there is a shared understanding of the Product Goal among all the teams and stakeholders. The Product Goal is the long-term objective for the Scrum Team. They must fulfill (or abandon) one objective before taking on the next2. The Product Owner should also collaborate with the Developers to create and refine Product Backlog items that are valuable, feasible, and testable. The Developers are accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog1. The Product Owner should trust the Developers to self-organize and deliver the most valuable increments possible.

The other options are not recommended strategies for the Product Owner, as they may introduce unnecessary complexity, confusion, and waste. Adding component team Product Owners, enlisting the Program Management Office, or assigning sub-Product Owners may create silos, dependencies, and conflicts among the teams and stakeholders. These roles may also undermine the authority and accountability of the Product Owner, and reduce the transparency and alignment of the Product Backlog. The Product Owner should work with the Scrum Master and the Developers to find ways to optimize the value delivery and collaboration across the teams, rather than creating intermediaries or proxies34. References: 1: Scrum Guide 2: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework 3: Managing Products with Agility 4: Evolving the Agile Organization

The Product Owner is accountable for maintaining and communicating the Product Goal. This responsibility includes ensuring that the goal is visible to everyone and provides direction and purpose for the Scrum Team and its stakeholders

The Sprint Goal is a summary statement of the Sprint objective, which ideally has a cohesive theme. The Sprint Goal also gives the Scrum Team guidance and flexibility on how to achieve the objective. The Sprint Goal is crafted by the entire Scrum Team during the Sprint Planning, based on the Product Owner’s proposal of the most valuable Product Backlog items and the Development Team’s forecast of the work that can be done in the Sprint. The Product Owner collaborates with the team to write the Sprint Goal and defines it on the basis of the value being sought. The Product Owner does not define the scope or the solution for the Sprint, but rather the outcome and the benefit. The Product Owner also does not work with stakeholders to set the Sprint Goal, but rather represents their interests and needs. The Product Owner has a role in crafting the Sprint Goal, but not the sole responsibility for it. References:

Professional Scrum Product Owner II Assessment

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

Managing Products with Agility

The Role of the Product Owner during the Sprint

Sprint Goal – An Essential Ingredient in Scrum Recipe

A sprint forecast is an estimate of what can be achieved in an upcoming Sprint. During Sprint planning, the team reviews the Product Backlog and selects stories that can be completed in the next Sprint based on the team’s velocity and capacity. The forecast is a pragmatic commitment to a realistic amount of work1. The forecast helps the team plan their tasks, prioritize their goals, and set realistic expectations for what they can accomplish during the Sprint. It also helps them to identify any potential risks or issues that could arise during the course of the Sprint2. The forecast is not a guarantee or a promise, but rather a best guess based on the current information and assumptions3. The forecast can be updated during the Sprint as new information emerges or as the team learns from their work4. The forecast is a useful tool for the Product Owner to communicate with the stakeholders about the progress and the value delivered by the team.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

TheSprint Backlogis one of the three Scrum artifacts, alongside theProduct Backlogand theIncrement. It is a dynamic plan that contains:

Theselected Product Backlog itemsfor the Sprint.

A plan fordelivering the Incrementand achieving the Sprint Goal.

Thetasks and work neededto complete the selected items.

TheScrum Guide explicitly states that the Sprint Backlog is owned and managed solely by the Developers.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

Option A: The Developers (Correct)

TheDevelopers create, maintain, and updatethe Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint.

They have full ownership over their work and the plan required to meet theSprint Goal.

Asself-managing professionals, only the Developers decide how to accomplish their work.

Option B: The Scrum Master (Incorrect)

TheScrum Master is a servant leader and coach, not responsible for managing the Sprint Backlog.

They help the Scrum Teamunderstand and follow Scrum practices, but they do not own or control artifacts.

Option C: The Product Owner (Incorrect)

TheProduct Owner manages the Product Backlog, ensuring it is prioritized tomaximize value.

However, theydo not dictatehow work is done in a Sprint or modify the Sprint Backlog.

Option D: The Scrum Team (Incorrect)

While the Scrum Team (Developers, Product Owner, and Scrum Master) collaborates, theSprint Backlog belongs exclusively to the Developers.

Key Scrum Guide Principles Supporting This Answer:

"The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers.It ishighly visible, real-time, andshould be adapted as neededthroughout the Sprint."

"Only the Developers can change the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint."

Conclusion:

TheDevelopers are fully responsible for the Sprint Backlog. They create, modify, and own the plan to meet theSprint Goal, ensuring agility and self-management.

The primary accountability of a Product Owner within the Scrum framework is to maximize the value of the work that the Scrum Team delivers. This involves managing the Product Backlog, but the overarching responsibility is ensuring that the team’s efforts translate into value

Personas are fictional characters that represent the different user types that might use your product or service in a similar way1. Personas can help you to2345:

Understand the needs of a set of users by creating empathy and insight into their goals, behaviors, and pain points.

Formulate hypotheses about product value by identifying the problems and opportunities that your product can address for each user type.

Understand market potential by estimating the size and characteristics of each user segment and their willingness to pay for your product.

Discover key buying triggers by exploring the motivations, influences, and decision-making processes of each user type.

Design and test your product features and user experience by using personas as a guide and a reference point. References:

1: Personas – A Simple Introduction

2: The Complete Guide to User Personas and How They Can Help Your Marketing Strategy (With Examples)

3: Personas | Usability.gov

4: The importance of personas for digital experience

5: Personas | Definition and Overview

Let's analyze each option to determine the best considerations for a Product Owner when ordering the Product Backlog, referencing PSPO II competencies:

A. Alignment with organizational strategy and goals.

Verification:This is acorrectanswer.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Business Strategy

The Product Backlog should reflect the overall business strategy andcontribute to achieving organizational goals.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Vision

The Product Vision is guided by the organizational strategy. The Product Backlog ordering should help realize that vision.

Additional Explanation:A Product Owner must ensure the product is strategically aligned, maximizing the return on investment for the organization.

B. The techniques the Developers will use to implement the item.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Self-Managing Teams

The Developers are responsible for determininghowthey will implement Product Backlog items. The Product Owner focuses on thewhatandwhy.

Additional Explanation:The Product Owner should trust the Developers' expertise in technical implementation. While high-level technical feasibility might be a consideration, the specific techniques used are within the Developers' domain.

C. Risk. For example; business risk, market risk, or technology risk.

Verification:This is acorrectanswer.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Evidence-Based Management

Identifying and mitigating risks is crucial for maximizing product value. Addressing high-risk items early can prevent significant problems later.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Business Strategy

Understanding and mitigating business and market risks is essential for strategic product development.

Additional Explanation:Addressing high-risk items early (when appropriate) allows for early learning and adaptation, reducing overall project risk.

D. Alignment with other Product Backlog items.

Verification:This is acorrectanswer.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Forecasting & Release Planning

Considering dependencies and relationships between Product Backlog items is essential for effective release planning.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Backlog Management

The Product Backlog should be ordered in a way that considers dependencies and logical groupings of items to deliver coherent functionality.

Additional Explanation:Grouping related items or addressing dependencies early can improve development efficiency and create more valuable increments.

E. Importance to users or customers.

Verification:This is acorrectanswer.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Stakeholders & Customers

Understanding and prioritizing based on user and customer needs is fundamental to delivering a valuable product.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Value

Delivering value to users and customers is the ultimate goal, and the Product Backlog ordering should reflect this.

Additional Explanation:Focusing on user and customer value helps ensure that the most important features are delivered first, maximizing user satisfaction and business impact.

In conclusion, the four best considerations for ordering the Product Backlog are: alignment with organizational strategy and goals, risk, alignment with other Product Backlog items, and importance to users or customers. These factors help the Product Owner maximize product value, manage risks, and ensure the product aligns with business objectives and user needs, in accordance with the PSPO II competencies.

 The smallest product Increment that is valuable enough to release is one that delivers a single new or improved outcome for the customers or users of the product. This is because the outcome is the ultimate measure of value, not the output or the features1. An outcome is a change in behavior, attitude, or situation that results from using the product2. An outcome can be achieved by delivering a single feature, fixing a defect, or improving an existing functionality, as long as it meets the Definition of Done and the Sprint Goal3. Therefore, the best answer is A.

The other options are not correct because:

B. Adds a new feature. This is not a sufficient condition, as a new feature may not deliver a valuable outcome if it is not aligned with the product vision, the customer needs, or the market conditions4.

C. Fixes at least one defect. This is not a necessary condition, as a defect may not affect the value of the product if it is minor, rare, or irrelevant to the customer5.

D. Delivers all “must do” Product Backlog items. This is not a realistic condition, as the Product Backlog is a dynamic and emergent artifact that changes based on feedback, learning, and discovery. There is no fixed set of “must do” items that can guarantee the delivery of value. References: 1: Outcome vs. Output, 2: What is an Outcome?, 3: The Definition of Done, 4: Feature vs. Outcome, 5: Defect vs. Value, : The Product Backlog

Let's break down why the correct answer isCand why the others are incorrect, referencing the Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II (PSPO II) objectives and associated competencies:

C. The Scrum Team is more focused through a common yet specific goal.

Verification:This is thecorrectanswer and aligns perfectly with the purpose of a Sprint Goal as defined in the Scrum Guide and emphasized within the PSPO II competencies.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

The Sprint Goal promotestransparencywithin the team about what they are trying to achieve during the Sprint.

It provides a basis forinspectionduring the Sprint, allowing the team to adapt their plans based on progress toward the Sprint Goal.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Forecasting & Release Planning

The Sprint Goal helps the team focus on achieving a specific, valuable outcome each Sprint.

It provides a basis for forecasting what can be achieved in the Sprint.

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Value

The Sprint Goal should be aligned with maximizing product value, providing a clear link between the work done in the Sprint and the overall product vision.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide states, "The Sprint Goal is an objective set for the Sprint that can be met through the implementation of Product Backlog. It provides guidance to the Developers1on why it is building the Increment.2[...] During Sprint Planning the Scrum Team also crafts a Sprint Goal. The Sprint Goal is an objective set for the Sprint that can be met through the implementation of Product Backlog."3This clearly emphasizes that the Sprint Goal provides focus and guidance.  

A. A Sprint Goal ensures that all the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint are implemented.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

Scrum acknowledges that the plan for the Sprint (what Product Backlog items are chosen) may change as the team learns more during the Sprint.

The Sprint Goal is the commitment, and while the team strives to complete the selected Product Backlog items, the primary focus is on achieving the Sprint Goal, even if it means adapting the plan.

Scrum Guide:While the selected Product Backlog items are the initial plan, the Scrum Guide states, "The selected Product Backlog items deliver one coherent function, which can be the Sprint Goal." This implies that the focus is on the coherent function (represented by the Sprint Goal), not necessarily the completion of every single Product Backlog item.

B. A Sprint Goal only gives purpose to Sprint 1.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Forecasting & Release Planning

Every Sprint should have a Sprint Goal, providing ongoing direction and focus for the team.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide explicitly states that a Sprint Goal is crafted during Sprint Planning, implying that it's a necessary component of every Sprint, not just Sprint 1.

D. Sprint Goals are not valuable. Everything is known from the Product Backlog.

Verification:This isincorrect.

Explanation and References:

Professional Scrum Competency: Managing Products with Agility - Product Value

Sprint Goals are crucial for maximizing product value by providing focus and ensuring the team is working on the most important aspectsin each Sprint.

Professional Scrum Competency: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework - Applying the Scrum Framework - Empiricism

The Sprint Goal provides context and purpose beyond the individual Product Backlog items. It helps the team understand the "why" behind the work.

Scrum Guide:The Scrum Guide's emphasis on the Sprint Goal throughout the Sprint lifecycle (planning, daily Scrum, review, retrospective) demonstrates its importance.

In conclusion, the Sprint Goal serves as a unifying and focusing mechanism for the Scrum Team, promoting commitment to a specific outcome within each Sprint and is, therefore, a crucial element for successful Scrum implementation, aligning perfectly with the PSPO II competencies and the Scrum Guide.

Product Backlog refinement is an ongoing activity that can occur at any time during a Sprint, as needed. The Product Owner and Developers collaborate on this task, ideally in advance of the upcoming Sprint to ensure clarity and readiness of the work ©. If refinement has not been done in preceding Sprints, it should be done in the current Sprint to maintain the flow of valuable work (E). This approach is consistent with the Scrum principle of continuous improvement and the iterative, incremental nature of Scrum12.

Sharing people with unique skills across multiple teams will likely result in teams having to wait more often for those people to be available, impeding the delivery of value. This is because those people will have to context-switch between different teams, products, anddomains, reducing their focus and efficiency1. Moreover, sharing people with unique skills will create bottlenecks and dependencies in the delivery process, increasing the risk of delays and quality issues2. Furthermore, sharing people with unique skills will discourageteams from developing deep technical skills themselves, making them less cross-functional and self-organizing3. Therefore, the best answer is A.

The other options are not correct because:

B. Teams do not have to develop deep technical skills. This is not a desirable condition, as it contradicts the Scrum value of commitment and the principle of continuous improvement. Teams should strive to develop deep technical skills to deliver high-quality products and to respond to changing requirements and technologies4.

C. Costs are lower since expensive resources are shared. This is not necessarily true, as the costs of context-switching, waiting, and quality issues may outweigh the benefits of sharing resources. Moreover, this option implies a resource-oriented mindset, rather than a value-oriented mindset, which is not aligned with the Scrum framework and the Product Owner role5.

D. More work gets done since people are better utilized. This is not a valid measure of success, as the amount of work done does not reflect the value delivered. Moreover, this option implies a utilization-oriented mindset, rather than an outcome-oriented mindset, which is not aligned with the Scrum framework and the Product Owner role. References: 1: Context Switching, 2: Bottlenecks and Dependencies, 3: Cross-Functional Teams, 4: Technical Excellence, 5: Resource vs. Value Orientation, : Utilization vs. Outcome Orientation

Self-Management: The Developers have autonomy over how they achieve the Sprint Goal. The Sprint Backlog reflects their plan for turning Product Backlog items into a valuable Increment.

Accountability: The Developers are held accountable for delivering the Sprint Goal, and thus own the detailed plan within the Sprint Backlog.

Scrum Guide: The Scrum Guide explicitly states, "The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers"

Focus on Value: Scrum emphasizes delivering increments of value early and often. Each release should focus on a clear outcome for users, even if it doesn't encompass every desired feature.

Iterative Approach: Releasing a smaller, focused increment lets you gather feedback, course-correct, and add features incrementally based on what provides the most value.

Stakeholder Management: Involve stakeholders in the prioritization process, explaining the rationale behind focusing on a specific outcome to gather input and secure buy-in.