Impact on Productivity When Adding New Scrum Teams

Adding more Scrum Teams to an existing project can have various impacts on the productivity of the original Scrum Team. It’s essential to understand these potential effects to manage expectations and plan effectively.

Exam Question

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.
B. Its productivity is likely to increase.
C. Its productivity is likely to stay the same.

Correct Answer

A. Its productivity is likely to decrease.

Explanation

Correct Answer

A. Its productivity is likely to decrease:
When new Scrum Teams are added to an ongoing project, the initial impact is often a decrease in productivity for the original team. This can be attributed to several factors:

• Onboarding and Knowledge Sharing: The original team will need to spend time onboarding the new teams, sharing knowledge, and ensuring they understand the project, the existing codebase, and the processes in place.
• Increased Coordination: More teams mean increased coordination efforts. The original team will have to participate in additional meetings and planning sessions to align with the new teams.
• Dependency Management: New dependencies between teams can arise, requiring more communication and coordination to manage effectively.

Why the Other Options Are Less Likely

B. Its productivity is likely to increase:
While adding more teams can eventually lead to increased overall productivity, the immediate effect is typically a temporary decrease. Productivity gains from new teams usually occur after they have been integrated and are fully operational.

C. Its productivity is likely to stay the same:
It is unlikely that the original team’s productivity will remain unaffected when new teams are introduced. The required adjustments and increased coordination efforts typically impact productivity.

Importance of Managing the Transition

• Effective Onboarding: Providing comprehensive onboarding and training to new teams can help reduce the initial productivity dip.
• Clear Communication: Establishing clear communication channels and regular coordination meetings can help manage dependencies and align efforts across teams.
• Incremental Integration: Gradually integrating new teams and allowing time for adjustment can mitigate the impact on productivity.

Relevance to the SPS Exam

Understanding the impact of adding new teams to a project is crucial for managing large-scale Scrum implementations. It highlights the importance of planning, effective communication, and coordination in a scaled Scrum environment.

Key Takeaways

• Adding new Scrum Teams initially decreases the productivity of the original team due to onboarding and coordination efforts.
• Effective management practices can help mitigate the impact and eventually lead to increased overall productivity.
• Clear communication and gradual integration are essential for a smooth transition.

Conclusion

When adding new Scrum Teams to a project, expect an initial decrease in productivity for the original team. Proper planning, onboarding, and communication strategies can help manage this transition effectively. For more information on preparing for the SPS exam, visit our Scaled Professional Scrum SPS™ Exam Prep.