HKSM
The Scrum Master
The Scrum Master proactively looks for team-member problems and addresses them diligently through actions in the Team Building Plan to maintain an effective team.
Key Points
- Spot potential conflicts, misalignments, or collaboration gaps early within the team.
- Record specific actions in the Team Building Plan and follow through diligently.
- Use facilitation, coaching, norms, and working agreements to resolve issues.
- Focus on sustaining an effective team with healthy dynamics and predictable delivery.
Example
During Sprint 2, the Scrum Master notices friction between developers and QA over unclear acceptance criteria. They add actions to the Team Building Plan: run a Definition of Done and Definition of Ready workshop, establish a joint triage routine, and schedule pairing sessions. After facilitating these, rework drops and the team collaborates more smoothly.
PMP Example Question
A Scrum Master observes repeated handoff delays and tense exchanges between two team members. What is the best next step?
- Wait until the Sprint Retrospective so the team can raise it themselves.
- Escalate to the project sponsor to mandate a new workflow.
- Add concrete actions to the Team Building Plan (e.g., facilitated working-agreement session and pairing), implement them, and monitor results.
- Replace one team member to eliminate the conflict.
Correct Answer: C — Proactively address team-member issues via the Team Building Plan
Explanation: The Scrum Master should intervene early and diligently by planning and facilitating improvements that maintain an effective team; the other options delay, over-escalate, or are punitive.
