The Role of Business Problem Statements in Scrum

Business Problem Statements are a crucial tool in Scrum for clearly articulating the issues that need to be addressed. They help align the team’s efforts with the actual problems faced by the business and its customers, ensuring that the solutions developed are relevant and valuable.

Exam Question

Business Problem Statements are a method which helps to:
(choose the best two answers)
A. Define the possible solutions of the work.
B. Define the scope of the work as a list of features.
C. Define the issues facing the business and customers.
D. Define a challenge for the team to solve.

Correct Answers

C. Define the issues facing the business and customers.
D. Define a challenge for the team to solve.

Explanation

Correct Answers

C. Define the issues facing the business and customers:
Business Problem Statements are primarily used to identify and articulate the specific problems that the business and its customers are experiencing. By clearly defining these issues, the team can focus on addressing the most critical needs and challenges, ensuring that their efforts are aligned with delivering real value.

D. Define a challenge for the team to solve:
By outlining a clear challenge, Business Problem Statements help to provide direction and focus for the team. They set a target for the team to aim at, which can inspire and guide the development of innovative and effective solutions.

Why the Other Options Are Less Effective

A. Define the possible solutions of the work:
Business Problem Statements focus on identifying the problems, not on providing solutions. Defining solutions is a subsequent step that follows once the problem is well-understood.

B. Define the scope of the work as a list of features:
While understanding the scope and features is important, Business Problem Statements are more about defining the problems to be solved rather than detailing the features of the solution. The features are derived from a thorough understanding of the problem and are part of the solutioning process.

Benefits of Using Business Problem Statements

• Clarity of Focus: Clearly defined problem statements ensure that the team understands the issues they need to address, which helps in maintaining a focused and effective approach to solution development.
• Alignment with Business Needs: By articulating the problems faced by the business and its customers, the team can ensure that their efforts are directly aligned with the most pressing needs, leading to more relevant and impactful solutions.
• Inspiration for Innovation: Defining a challenge for the team can stimulate creativity and innovation, encouraging the development of unique and effective solutions.

Relevance to the PSU I Exam

Understanding the purpose and benefits of Business Problem Statements is crucial for the PSU I exam. It demonstrates the ability to effectively identify and articulate business and customer issues, which is essential for guiding the development of valuable solutions within the Scrum framework.

Key Takeaways

• Business Problem Statements help define the issues facing the business and customers.
• They provide a clear challenge for the team to solve, focusing their efforts on relevant problems.
• They do not define solutions or list features but rather identify the problems that need addressing.

Conclusion

Business Problem Statements are essential for clearly articulating the problems faced by the business and its customers. They help guide the team’s efforts towards solving these problems effectively, ensuring that the solutions developed are relevant and valuable. For more information on preparing for the PSU I exam, visit our Professional Scrum with UX PSU I™ Exam Prep.