Handling Incomplete Work in Scrum
In Scrum, it’s essential to adhere to the timebox of the Sprint, which is a fixed period during which the Scrum Team works to achieve the Sprint Goal. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of the team, the planned work for the Sprint cannot be completed. Understanding how to handle such situations is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Scrum framework.
Exam Question
What happens if the Scrum Team cannot complete its work by the end of the Sprint?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Sprint is extended temporarily. Lessons are taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
B. The Sprint is extended and future Sprints use this new duration.
C. The Sprint length is unchanged and the Scrum Team continuously learns and adapts.
Correct Answer
C. The Sprint length is unchanged and the Scrum Team continuously learns and adapts.
Explanation
Correct Answer
C. The Sprint length is unchanged and the Scrum Team continuously learns and adapts:
In Scrum, the Sprint timebox is fixed and cannot be extended. If the Scrum Team is unable to complete all the work planned for the Sprint, they review what was completed and what wasn’t during the Sprint Review and Retrospective. The unfinished work is returned to the Product Backlog, and the team learns from the experience to improve future planning and execution. This approach maintains the predictability of the timebox and encourages continuous improvement.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. The Sprint is extended temporarily. Lessons are taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again:
Extending the Sprint undermines the discipline of timeboxing, which is a core principle of Scrum. The team should adapt and improve within the constraints of the fixed Sprint duration, not by altering it.
B. The Sprint is extended and future Sprints use this new duration:
Similar to the previous option, this approach violates the fixed nature of Sprints in Scrum. Adjusting the duration of future Sprints based on the current one goes against the Scrum framework, which relies on consistent Sprint lengths for predictability and rhythm.
Relevance to the PSD Exam
Understanding how to handle situations where work is not completed within a Sprint is important for the PSD exam. It highlights the importance of adhering to Scrum principles, particularly the concept of a fixed timebox, and emphasizes the value of continuous learning and adaptation.
Key Takeaways
- Fixed Timebox: The Sprint duration is fixed and should not be extended.
- Continuous Improvement: The team learns from each Sprint to improve future planning and execution.
- Product Backlog Management: Unfinished work is moved back to the Product Backlog to be prioritized in future Sprints.
Conclusion
In Scrum, the Sprint timebox remains unchanged regardless of whether all planned work is completed. The Scrum Team continuously learns and adapts to improve their performance in future Sprints. For more information on preparing for the PSD exam, visit our Professional Scrum Developer PSD™ Exam Prep.
