Understanding the Impact of Technical Debt in Scrum
When an organization announces a release, it is crucial to understand the implications of deviating from the Definition of Done, particularly regarding technical debt. This article explores a specific exam question about managing technical debt and its impact on future releases, providing detailed explanations and insights relevant to the PSM II exam.
Exam Question
Your organization has announced a release to its user base three Sprints from now. To be able to include all functionality in the release, work needs to accelerate. The Product Owner puts some testing from the Definition of Done on hold for the next three Sprints, while adding a generic item to the Product Backlog to resolve this in a future release.
The Developers object that this will lead to technical debt. Select two ways that explain the impact of technical debt to the Product Owner.
(choose the best two answers)
- A. Feature development of a next release is not allowed to start as long as there is technical debt from the current release. The Product Owner should first accept this impact before the Definition of Done can be reduced.
- B. As development progresses and functionality is added upon the reduced Definition of Done, unknown errors will creep in. The system becomes more difficult to stabilize. Work for the actual release as well as future releases will be slowed down in unpredictable ways.
- C. Releasing the version creates false assumptions about the actual state of the system. This is likely to result in interruptions during future Sprints in order to react to unforeseen problems arising from not having met the Definition of Done.
- D. A generic Product Backlog item is not good enough. The amount of technical debt will have to be calculated and estimated much more precisely, so the total amount of extra work that needs to be budgeted is well known.
Correct Answers
B. As development progresses and functionality is added upon the reduced Definition of Done, unknown errors will creep in. The system becomes more difficult to stabilize. Work for the actual release as well as future releases will be slowed down in unpredictable ways.
C. Releasing the version creates false assumptions about the actual state of the system. This is likely to result in interruptions during future Sprints in order to react to unforeseen problems arising from not having met the Definition of Done.
Explanation
Correct Answers
B. As development progresses and functionality is added upon the reduced Definition of Done, unknown errors will creep in. The system becomes more difficult to stabilize. Work for the actual release as well as future releases will be slowed down in unpredictable ways: Technical debt accrues when work is not completed to the Definition of Done. As more features are built on this unstable foundation, the likelihood of encountering unknown errors increases, making the system harder to stabilize. This can significantly slow down progress in both current and future releases.
C. Releasing the version creates false assumptions about the actual state of the system. This is likely to result in interruptions during future Sprints in order to react to unforeseen problems arising from not having met the Definition of Done: By releasing a version that does not meet the Definition of Done, stakeholders may develop false assumptions about the system’s stability and readiness. This can lead to frequent interruptions in future Sprints to address unforeseen problems, thus impacting the team’s ability to deliver value consistently.
Incorrect Answers
A. Feature development of a next release is not allowed to start as long as there is technical debt from the current release. The Product Owner should first accept this impact before the Definition of Done can be reduced: While managing technical debt is crucial, halting all future feature development is not a practical solution. The team must balance addressing technical debt with continuing to deliver new functionality.
D. A generic Product Backlog item is not good enough. The amount of technical debt will have to be calculated and estimated much more precisely, so the total amount of extra work that needs to be budgeted is well known: Although precise estimation of technical debt can be beneficial, the key issue is the impact of accruing technical debt rather than the precision of its estimation.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: Ensures that the Product Backlog is transparent and ordered to maximize value. They must understand the implications of technical debt and make informed decisions about the Definition of Done.
- Scrum Master: Facilitates Scrum events, ensures adherence to Scrum practices, and helps the team understand the impact of technical debt. They support the Product Owner in making informed decisions.
- Developers: Collaborate to deliver potentially shippable Increments each Sprint, ensuring that their work meets the Definition of Done. They must communicate the risks of technical debt to the Product Owner.
Relevance to the PSM II Exam
Understanding the impact of technical debt and how to communicate its implications to the Product Owner is crucial for the PSM II exam. It demonstrates advanced knowledge of Scrum practices and the ability of the Scrum Master to support the team in maintaining high-quality deliverables while managing technical risks. Mastering this concept ensures that Scrum Masters can guide their teams in balancing the need for rapid delivery with maintaining a sustainable pace and quality.
Key Takeaways
- Technical debt can significantly slow down current and future work if not managed properly.
- Releasing incomplete work can lead to false assumptions and interruptions in future Sprints.
- Balancing the need to address technical debt with delivering new functionality is essential.
- Effective communication between Developers and the Product Owner about the risks of technical debt is crucial.
Conclusion
Managing technical debt in Scrum requires careful consideration and effective communication. By understanding and explaining the impact of technical debt, Scrum Masters and Product Owners can make informed decisions that balance the need for rapid delivery with maintaining system stability and quality. This understanding is essential 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.
