HKSM
Continuous Improvement
In Scrum, an ongoing practice where the team applies lessons learned and stakeholder feedback to continually refine the Prioritized Product Backlog as needs and requirements evolve.
Key Points
- Focuses on learning from experience and adapting each sprint.
- Relies on regular engagement with business stakeholders for feedback.
- Keeps the Prioritized Product Backlog current as requirements change.
- Enabled by inspection and adaptation events such as reviews and retrospectives.
Example
After a Sprint Review, users report that a new feature flow is confusing. The Scrum Team analyzes the feedback during the Sprint Retrospective, updates acceptance criteria, adds a refinement task, and reorders the Prioritized Product Backlog so fixes and usability tests are addressed in the next sprint.
PMP Example Question
Which action best demonstrates continuous improvement in a Scrum project?
- Freezing scope after release planning to prevent churn.
- Collecting feedback but deferring backlog updates until project closeout.
- Incorporating stakeholder feedback and lessons learned each sprint to refine and reprioritize the Prioritized Product Backlog.
- Extending the sprint to finish all planned work, regardless of new insights.
Correct Answer: C — Incorporating feedback and lessons learned to refine and reprioritize the backlog
Explanation: Continuous improvement in Scrum means using stakeholder input and team learning to continuously update and reorder the Prioritized Product Backlog as needs evolve.
