Managing Dependencies on External Specialists in Scrum

In Scrum, managing dependencies on external specialists can be challenging, especially when multiple teams require the same expertise. As a Scrum Master, it is essential to find effective solutions to ensure smooth progress and collaboration. This article explores a specific exam question about handling dependencies on an external specialist, providing detailed explanations and insights relevant to the PSM II exam.

Exam Question

You are the Scrum Master for four teams working from the same Product Backlog. Several of the Developers come to you complaining that work identified for the upcoming two Sprints will require full-time commitment from Stella, an external specialist who is not a member of any of the four Scrum Teams. What would you consider acceptable solutions for the problem? (choose the best three answers)

• A. Merge the Scrum Teams into one large Scrum Team for the next two Sprints. When the need for Stella’s expertise is over, the teams can separate again.
• B. Investigate whether additional techniques or frameworks for scaling Scrum would be appropriate for these Scrum Teams.
• C. Developers with an interest in Stella’s domain could volunteer to take on this work in their respective Scrum Teams.
• D. Ask Stella for a plan to hire and train additional people in her domain, and in the meantime work with the Product Owner and Scrum Teams to re-prioritize the work so that tasks not depending on Stella can be done first.
• E. Have the Developers re-order the Product Backlog so Stella can serve one team full-time in a Sprint.
• F. Create a team with Stella and identify people from the Scrum Teams to temporarily work in Stella’s domain to learn to better serve the existing teams.
• G. Organize a release Sprint in which Stella can thoroughly check and complete all the work done in her domain before considering the work releasable.

Correct Answers

B. Investigate whether additional techniques or frameworks for scaling Scrum would be appropriate for these Scrum Teams.
C. Developers with an interest in Stella’s domain could volunteer to take on this work in their respective Scrum Teams.
E. Have the Developers re-order the Product Backlog so Stella can serve one team full-time in a Sprint.

Explanation

Correct Answers

B. Investigate whether additional techniques or frameworks for scaling Scrum would be appropriate for these Scrum Teams: Utilizing scaling frameworks like LeSS (Large Scale Scrum) or Nexus can help manage dependencies and coordination among multiple teams. These frameworks provide structured approaches to handle inter-team collaboration and dependencies, ensuring smoother progress and integration.

C. Developers with an interest in Stella’s domain could volunteer to take on this work in their respective Scrum Teams: Encouraging developers with an interest in Stella’s domain to volunteer helps in cross-training and building internal expertise. This approach reduces reliance on external specialists over time and enhances the team’s capability to handle such tasks independently.

E. Have the Developers re-order the Product Backlog so Stella can serve one team full-time in a Sprint: Re-ordering the Product Backlog allows for focused and efficient use of Stella’s time and expertise. By dedicating her to one team at a time, it reduces context switching and maximizes productivity for the tasks requiring her skills.

Incorrect Answers

A. Merge the Scrum Teams into one large Scrum Team for the next two Sprints. When the need for Stella’s expertise is over, the teams can separate again: Merging teams can lead to coordination issues, loss of team identity, and reduced effectiveness. It is not a sustainable or efficient solution for handling dependencies.

D. Ask Stella for a plan to hire and train additional people in her domain, and in the meantime work with the Product Owner and Scrum Teams to re-prioritize the work so that tasks not depending on Stella can be done first: While planning for long-term solutions is beneficial, it does not address the immediate need for Stella’s expertise. Re-prioritizing work may also disrupt the current Sprint goals and backlog priorities.

F. Create a team with Stella and identify people from the Scrum Teams to temporarily work in Stella’s domain to learn to better serve the existing teams: Creating a temporary team disrupts the existing team structure and may lead to coordination challenges. It is better to integrate learning and collaboration within the existing teams.

G. Organize a release Sprint in which Stella can thoroughly check and complete all the work done in her domain before considering the work releasable: A release Sprint goes against the Scrum principle of delivering potentially shippable increments at the end of each Sprint. It delays the release of valuable increments and creates a bottleneck.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: The Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Backlog, ensuring that it is well-ordered and reflects the highest value items. They work closely with the Scrum Teams to prioritize work and manage dependencies.
• Scrum Master: The Scrum Master facilitates collaboration and communication among the Scrum Teams and stakeholders. They help remove impediments, ensure adherence to Scrum practices, and support the teams in managing dependencies effectively.
• Developers: Developers are responsible for delivering potentially shippable increments at the end of each Sprint. They collaborate with the Product Owner and Scrum Master to ensure that work is prioritized and completed effectively.

Relevance to the PSM II Exam

Understanding how to manage dependencies and effectively utilize external specialists is crucial for the PSM II exam. It demonstrates advanced knowledge of Scrum principles and the role of the Scrum Master in facilitating effective collaboration and realistic planning. Mastering this concept ensures that Scrum Masters can guide their teams in maintaining high-quality standards and delivering value within constraints.

Key Takeaways

• Utilizing scaling frameworks like LeSS or Nexus can help manage dependencies and coordination among multiple teams.
• Encouraging developers with an interest in the specialist’s domain to volunteer helps build internal expertise and reduces reliance on external specialists.
• Re-ordering the Product Backlog allows for focused and efficient use of external specialists’ time and expertise.

Conclusion

Managing dependencies on external specialists requires effective collaboration, realistic planning, and prioritization of high-value items. By utilizing scaling frameworks, encouraging internal skill development, and re-ordering the Product Backlog, the Scrum Master supports the Scrum Teams in addressing concerns and ensuring smooth progress. Understanding these principles is crucial for effective Scrum implementation and success in the PSM II exam. For comprehensive preparation and practice exams, check out PSM II Exam Prep to enhance your understanding and application of Scrum principles.