Handling Disruptive Behavior in a Scrum Team

When a Developer consistently disagrees with team decisions, it can become disruptive and hinder the team’s progress. The Scrum Master plays a crucial role in facilitating team cohesion and addressing conflicts. This article explores a specific exam question about how a Scrum Master should respond to such a situation, providing detailed explanations and insights relevant to the PSM II exam.

Exam Question

You are the Scrum Master of a Scrum Team that has one Developer who disagrees with team decisions. Their disagreements are becoming disruptive and slowing progress. The Developer often returns to earlier team decisions and re-opens the issue. What are two ways to go about this problem? (choose the best two answers)

• A. At the Sprint Retrospective you observe whether the topic is raised. If it doesn’t happen, you check on how comfortable everybody is with the way team decisions are made.
• B. To every team member expressing this concern you suggest raising this with the full team. You offer to help initiate the conversation but not to resolve the concern yourself.
• C. You go to the Human Resources department and ask them to have a conversation with the Developer based on the issues the team has raised.
• D. You take the Developer aside to express your concern over their disagreements and tell them to act as a team player and to comply with the team’s decision.
• E. You organize an offsite team building activity in order to establish a foundation of trust. You observe whether the problem persists after the offsite activity.

Correct Answers

A. At the Sprint Retrospective you observe whether the topic is raised. If it doesn’t happen, you check on how comfortable everybody is with the way team decisions are made.
B. To every team member expressing this concern you suggest raising this with the full team. You offer to help initiate the conversation but not to resolve the concern yourself.

Explanation

Correct Answers

A. At the Sprint Retrospective you observe whether the topic is raised. If it doesn’t happen, you check on how comfortable everybody is with the way team decisions are made: The Sprint Retrospective is an appropriate event to address team dynamics and decision-making processes. By observing whether the topic is raised and checking on the team’s comfort level with decision-making, the Scrum Master can facilitate a discussion that helps the team understand and address the disruptive behavior. This approach encourages transparency and continuous improvement.

B. To every team member expressing this concern you suggest raising this with the full team. You offer to help initiate the conversation but not to resolve the concern yourself: Encouraging team members to raise their concerns with the full team promotes self-management and collective problem-solving. The Scrum Master can facilitate the conversation but should not impose a solution, allowing the team to collaboratively address the issue and agree on a way forward.

Incorrect Answers

C. You go to the Human Resources department and ask them to have a conversation with the Developer based on the issues the team has raised: Involving HR undermines the self-managing nature of the Scrum Team and does not promote a collaborative resolution. The team should be empowered to address internal issues themselves.

D. You take the Developer aside to express your concern over their disagreements and tell them to act as a team player and to comply with the team’s decision: Directly instructing the Developer to comply may address the immediate issue but does not foster a deeper understanding or collaborative resolution. It can also create resentment and further disrupt team dynamics.

E. You organize an offsite team building activity in order to establish a foundation of trust. You observe whether the problem persists after the offsite activity: While team-building activities can be beneficial, they do not directly address the specific issue of disruptive behavior. The problem needs to be discussed and resolved within the context of the team’s work environment.

Responsibilities in Scrum

• Product Owner: The Product Owner ensures that the Product Backlog is well-ordered and collaborates with the Developers to provide clear and stable requirements. They need to be available to answer questions and provide clarification.
• Scrum Master: The Scrum Master facilitates communication and collaboration within the team. They help resolve conflicts and ensure that the team adheres to Scrum principles. By addressing disruptive behavior during the Sprint Retrospective and encouraging open discussions, the Scrum Master promotes continuous improvement.
• Developers: Developers are responsible for collaborating with each other and the Product Owner to understand requirements and deliver valuable increments. They need to communicate any concerns or issues they have and work together to find solutions.

Relevance to the PSM II Exam

Understanding how to handle disruptive behavior and facilitate effective team dynamics is crucial for the PSM II exam. It demonstrates advanced knowledge of Scrum principles and the role of the Scrum Master in fostering a collaborative and productive team environment. Mastering this concept ensures that Scrum Masters can effectively guide their teams in resolving conflicts and maintaining high-quality standards.

Key Takeaways

• The Sprint Retrospective is an appropriate event to address team dynamics and decision-making processes.
• Encouraging team members to raise their concerns with the full team promotes self-management and collective problem-solving.
• Facilitating open discussions and collaborative resolutions is essential for maintaining a healthy team environment.

Conclusion

Addressing disruptive behavior within a Scrum Team requires effective facilitation and communication. By using the Sprint Retrospective to observe and discuss team dynamics and encouraging team members to raise their concerns openly, the Scrum Master promotes a collaborative approach to resolving issues and improving team cohesion. 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.