Managing Daily Scrums with Distributed Teams
When a Scrum Team’s Developers are in different physical locations, logistical challenges can arise, such as reserving meeting rooms and setting up conference calls before the Daily Scrum. This article explores how a Scrum Master should handle this situation to support effective self-management within the team.
Exam Question
A Scrum Master is working with a Scrum Team that has Developers in different physical locations. The Developers meet in a variety of meeting rooms and have much to do logistically (for example: reserve meetings rooms and set up conference calls) before the Daily Scrum. What action should the Scrum Master take?
(choose the best answer)
A. Allow the Developers to self-manage and determine for themselves what to do.
B. Set up the meeting and tell the Scrum Team that is how it will be done.
C. Ask the Developers to alternate who is responsible for meeting setup.
D. Inform management and ask them to solve it.
Correct Answer
A. Allow the Developers to self-manage and determine for themselves what to do.
Explanation
Correct Answer
A. Allow the Developers to self-manage and determine for themselves what to do:
In Scrum, self-management is a core principle. By allowing the Developers to handle the logistical aspects of their Daily Scrum meetings, the Scrum Master supports their ability to self-organize and find solutions that work best for them. This approach encourages the team to take ownership of their processes and fosters a collaborative environment.
Incorrect Answers
B. Set up the meeting and tell the Scrum Team that is how it will be done:
This approach undermines the team’s autonomy and goes against the principles of self-management and empowerment in Scrum.
C. Ask the Developers to alternate who is responsible for meeting setup:
While this may seem like a collaborative approach, it still involves the Scrum Master dictating the process rather than allowing the team to decide the best solution for themselves.
D. Inform management and ask them to solve it:
Escalating the issue to management detracts from the Scrum Team’s ability to self-manage and find their own solutions. It also adds unnecessary external intervention.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: Focuses on maximizing the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog. They are not directly involved in the logistical arrangements for the Daily Scrum.
- Scrum Master: Facilitates the Scrum process and removes impediments but does not dictate how the team should handle logistical challenges. They coach the team to self-manage.
- Developers: Are responsible for organizing their work and processes, including setting up meetings and ensuring they are effective.
Relevance to the PSPO I Exam
Understanding the importance of self-management and the role of the Scrum Master in fostering this principle is crucial for the PSPO I exam. Candidates must appreciate that the Scrum Master supports the team in finding their own solutions rather than imposing processes.
Key Takeaways
- Self-management is a fundamental principle of Scrum.
- The Scrum Master supports the team in finding their own solutions.
- Empowering the team to handle logistical challenges fosters a collaborative and autonomous environment.
Conclusion
Managing the logistics of Daily Scrum meetings in a distributed team is a challenge best addressed through self-management. By allowing the team to determine how to handle these logistics, the Scrum Master fosters a culture of collaboration and autonomy. For more insights and preparation tips for the PSPO I exam, visit our PSPO I Exam Prep.
