Demand for Scrum Masters

Agenda

1 Technical Scrum Master Interview Questions

Agile Methodology
Scrum Basics
Scrum Events & Artifacts
The Role of The Scrum Master

2 Scenario Based Scrum Master Interview Questions

Technical Scrum Master
Interview Questions

I. Agile Methodology
 Question 1
The scenarios where agile works the best are:

When is the best time to use Agile

Methodology? Is it suitable for all the Complex projects
situations? Unclear requirements
Quick launch of product
Minimal cost of change
Emphasis on teamwork, transparency, &
continuous improvement
No limit on time & budget
Frequent change of requirements
No need to deliver fully functional software
at once
Don’t have a fixed budget/schedule
 Question 2 The 4 Agile Values

Please state the four values of agile Individuals and Customer

software development as stated in the interactions collaboration
- over processes and over contract
Agile Manifesto? tools negotiation

Working software over Responding to

comprehensive change
documentation over following a plan
 Question 3 12 Agile Principles

Meet Customer Needs Motivate the People

Can you state some major principles
of agile project management?
Welcome Changes Sustainable Development

Continuous Feedback Technical Excellence

12 Agile Principles

Good Teamwork Be Simple

Focus on Active Processes Self-organized

Face to Face Talk Adjust Strategies

 Question 4 AGILE WATERFALL

What is the difference between Agile

methodology and Waterfall model?
Changes Oriented Carefully Oriented

Product Mindset Project Mindset

Iteration, All processes Fixed and Separated Stages

Short Feedback Loop No Feedback Until Testing

Unit Testing End Product Testing

Unclear Requirements Fixed Requirements

Minimal Paperwork Extensive Documentation

Collaboration Teams Work in Turns

Full Transparency Lack of Transparency

Easy to Incorporate Changes Difficult to Enable Changes

Supports Changing Requirements End Product is Defined

Perfect for IT, Software, Perfect for Long Term Projects

Marketing
 Question 5 Drawbacks of Agile Model
WATERFALL

Name some drawbacks of agile

model.

Long-term projects suffer from incremental delivery

The level of collaboration can be difficult to maintain
Very limited documentation
Fragmented output
The project can easily go off track
It's more difficult to measure progress
Projects can become ever-lasting because there's no clear end
 Question 6 Agile Frameworks

Apart from Scrum are you aware of

any other Agile Frameworks?
 Question 7 User Story
A user story is an informal and general explanation of a software
feature written, from the perspective of the end user.

What is a user story? What is the

structure of a good user story? As a <type of user>, I want <some goal> so that <some
reason>

Who are we building What is the What value it brings to

this for? intension? the user?

For example, user stories might look like:

• As a marketing data analyst, I need to run the Salesforce & Google

analytics reports the so that I can build the monthly media campaign
plans

• As a credit card holder, I want to view my statement balance, so that I

can pay the balance due

• As a frequent flyer, I want to rebook a past trip so that I can save time
booking trips I take often
 Question 8
As a <type of user>,
I want <some goal>
so that <some
Can you specify the features that a
reason>
good user story should have?

A good user story:

Includes a description
Has acceptance criteria defined
Can be delivered within a single Sprint
Has all UI deliverables available
Has all (probable) dependencies identified
Has performance criteria defined
Has tracking criteria defined, and
Is estimated by the Scrum Team
Technical Scrum Master
Interview Questions

II. Scrum Basics

 According to the Scrum Guide, “Scrum is an Agile framework within
Question 9 which people can address complex adaptive problems, while
productively and creatively delivering products of the highest possible
value.”

• Lightweight • Simple to understand • Difficult to master

What is Scrum? What are the benefits
of using it? Can it be used for all types
Benefits of Scrum
of projects?

Source: VersionOne’s 14th Annual

State of Agile Report
Question 10 Agile - is a philosophy that takes an iterative approach towards the
completion of a project.

Is there a difference between Agile

and Scrum? If yes, what is the
difference?

Scrum - is a lightweight framework that is used to implement the Agile

philosophy
Question 11 The sprint is a timebox of one month or less during which the team
produces a potentially shippable product increment

What is Scrum Sprint? What is the

ideal duration for a Sprint?

Shippable Product
Increment

The duration of the sprint in scrum is anywhere from 2 to

4 weeks to almost a month
 Scrum Roles
Question 12 The Scrum team works together closely, daily, to ensure the smooth
flow of information and the quick resolution of issues

Define the roles in Scrum.

Question 13 Scrum Artifacts
The Scrum artifacts are designed to maximize the transparency of
key information so that everybody has the same understanding of the
artifact

Define the roles in Scrum.

 Question 14 Scrum Ceremonies
Scrum defines four events (sometimes called Scrum ceremonies) that
occur inside each Sprint.

List down the different events that

take place during the scrum process.
Question 15
Can you name some of the tools used
in a scrum project?
Question 16
Empirical Process Control
Empiricism means working in a fact-based, experience-
Explain what empirical process based, and evidence-based manner.
control is and how scrum framework
is based on that?

We all know what is

going on

Transparency
Check your work as
you do it

Adaptation Inspection
OK to change the
tactic direction

Source:
https://www.scrum.org/resources
/blog/three-pillars-empiricism-
scrum
 Question 17
SCRUMBAN
Have you heard of scrum-ban? If yes,
Scrumban is a project management framework that
can you please explain what it is? combines important features of two popular agile
methodologies: Scrum and Kanban.

Scrum Kanban
 Question 18 WATERFALL
Certain situations where it is not suggested to use scrum are:

Mention some cases where using

scrum is not suggested.

When the requirements are not allowed to evolve

When the organization is nor read to adopt agile values and practices

When frequently needing to respond quicker than a sprint allows

When people have had bad experiences with Scrum already

When looking for a one-stop solution to all our problems

 Question 19
Ideal Size of the Scrum Team
What do you think should be the ideal
size of a Scrum team?

The ideal size for a development is between 3 and 9 people, not including
the ScrumMaster and product owner.
 Drawbacks of Using Scrum
Question 20
What are some drawbacks of scrum?

Challenging Experience Matters Difficult to Scale

Frustrated Team Uncertainty Frequent Changes

No Set Deadlines New Requirement

 Question 21
Metrics that help to measure the work done by scrum teams include:

Can you name some of the metrics

used by the scrum team to measure
the work done?  Sprint Goal Success
 Escaped Defects & Defect Density
 Team Velocity
 Sprint Burn-down
 Time to Market
 ROI
 Capital Redeployment
 Customer Satisfaction
Technical Scrum Master
Interview Questions

III. Scrum Artifacts & Events

 Question 22
TIMEBOXING
What is timeboxing in the scrum
framework?
Timeboxing is basically allotting a fixed unit of time for an
activity. Incorporating a timeboxed approach brings in
discipline, predictability and creates a situation for inspect
and adapt.

Daily Scrum

Sprint Planning
Sprint
Sprint Review

Sprint Retrospective
Question 23
The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute
time-boxed event for the
development team that takes place
every day during a sprint.
What is the purpose of a Daily Scrum
Meeting? Is it mandatory for the
scrum master to attend daily scrum?
Question 24 Burndown Chart

Sprint burndown chart is a graphical way of showing how much work is

remaining in the sprint, typically in terms of task hours.

What is a Sprint Burndown Chart?

Question 25 Velocity is an extremely simple, powerful method for accurately
measuring the rate at which scrum development teams
consistently deliver business value.

What does the term velocity mean in

Scrum?

Note: Velocity is not a measure of effectiveness, efficiency, competency,

or anything else. It is merely a measure of the rate at which a given amount
of problem statements are turned into tested software.
Question 26
What is the role of a scrum master in
scrum retrospective?

During the Sprint Retrospective, the team reflects upon how things went
during the previous sprint and identifies adjustments and improvements
they could make going forward. Scrum master acts as a peer team
member in this event.

He/she plays the role of facilitator for the scrum team.

Question 27
What is scrum of scrums?

Scrum of scrum is a daily meeting where multiple scrum masters and chief product
owner meet to discuss their work and progress.

It is the same as that of a daily scrum, but the focus is on a team level.
Question 28 Storyboard in Scrum
A storyboard is a visual representation of progress of a
software project which generally has for columns, namely, ‘To
do’, 'In Progress’, ‘Test’, and ‘Done’.
What is a Storyboard in scrum?

Storyboard is one way of ensuring transparency

 Sprint Review
Question 29
A Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint to inspect the
product Increment and update the Product Backlog if needed.

What happens during a sprint review?

The Scrum Team and stakeholders collaborate about what was done in the
Sprint
Based on the feedback they update the Product Backlog as needed
The team does research on the marketplaces and estimates the budget,
potential capabilities, timeline, etc.
 Question 30 Sprint Planning Meeting
During Sprint Planning, the entire Scrum Team collaborates
and discusses the work to be performed in the Sprint.
What is discussed during the sprint
planning meeting?

What can be delivered in this How to achieve that work?

Sprint iteration?
 Question 31 Product Backlog Refinement
(Backlog Grooming)

Apart from planning, review, and

retrospective, do you know any other
event in scrum?

Some of the activities that occur during backlog refinement are:

Remove irrelevant user stories

Create new user stories with respect to new needs
Re-assigning the relative priority of stories
Splitting user stories when required
Assign estimates to stories
Correct estimates based on new information
Technical Scrum Master
Interview Questions

IV. The Role Of The Scrum Master

Question 32 A scrum master acts as a coach, facilitator, mentor, and a teacher.

Who is Scrum Master? What does he

do?

Organizes meetings
Deals with roadblocks & challenges
Helps the team to understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values
Enables efficient communication & collaboration
Question 33 A Great Scrum Master
Comprehensive list of attitudes and skills that contribute
to being a great Scrum Master:

What skills and qualities do you need

to possess to be a great scrum Be Influential

master? Be Collaborative
Be Observant
Be a Good Listener
Share Experience

Be Disruptive
Instill Leadership Skills
Acquire Knowledge
Protect the team
Understand there is more
than just Scrum
 Question 34 Scrum master servers the product owner in following ways:

How does a scrum master help the Promoting scrum events as and when requested by the
1 product owner
product owner?

Help product owner in efficient product backlog management

2

Helps product owner understand agile principles and

3 practices

Assist the product owner to arrange the tasks in product

4 backlog to maximize value

Help the scrum team in adopting a shared

5 vision
 Question 35
How does a scrum master serve the
organization?

Scrum master servers the organization in following ways:

Acts as an agile change agent and facilitates the change

Helps to increase the productivity of the scrum team

Supports agile leadership principles and practices

Helps stakeholders and employees understand scrum empirical theory

Plans scrum implementation within the organization

Scenario Based Scrum Master
Interview Questions

I. Scrum Master
II. Roles, Artifacts, & Events
III. Metrics
IV. Anti-patterns
V. Transition to Scrum
Q 36 Are you certified? If yes, why did you choose that certification?

If you are not certified and they ask you this

question! No need to panic. If you are already
certified, do let the interviewer know your
reasons for choosing that certification.

At Invensis Learning, we offer certification

training for different Scrum Master certifications
such as

CSM (Certified Scrum Master)

PSM (Professional Scrum Master)
ASM (Agile Scrum Master)
SAFe Scrum Master
Q 37 As a scrum master, how are you going to demonstrate servant
leadership?

Scrum master is often referred to as the

servant-leader of the Scrum team.

As a servant leader scrum master:

Should not blindly follow directions

Be loyal to the team and try to earn their trust

Shield the team from external impediments and interruptions

Guide the development team towards self organization

Lead the team through healthy conflict and debate

Q 38 As a Scrum Master, what would you do when the scrum team doesn’t like
your ideas and instead suggests new ones?

Stay open to
suggestions Ask for a
reasonable
explanation
Do not blindly
accept the ideas

If agreed upon by
everyone, consider
the idea

If you think the idea is not good enough

• Do not be harsh on rejecting

• Explain them where their ideas are lacking
Q 39 What would you do if you find out that one of your team members is
breaking one or more of the agile principles?

As a scrum master, you need to know the if one of your team

members is breaking one or more agile principles

 Try reasoning with the team member and get to know why
he/she is not following the agile principles
 Mentor the individual ‘miscreants’ to explain the Agile philosophy
and Principles to them how their ‘interruptions’ are causing
delays in development progress
 If the issue is still not resolved, you can set up a meeting with his
reporting manager to talk about the concern and search for ways
to help the team member
Q 40 Let’s say your teammates are cherry-picking tasks? How are you going to
help your team to work on the most important stories first?

As s scrum master along with the product owner ensure that no

secondary user stories are ranked above primary ones.

To help the development team on the most important user stories:

Include them in the initial planning stages when user stories are
assembled
Additional training might help some team members accommodate
a greater variety of tasks
Pair programming may be a suitable first step in that direction
Q 41 You and your team are thoroughly implementing the agile principles but for some reasons you are not
constantly meeting commitments and the velocity is very unstable. What could be the possible reason
and how are you going to solve those issues?

There are multiple reasons that might lower team’s performance such
as:

• New team members are being hired

• Team members are leaving
• Working in uncharted territory
• Varying levels of seniority in the team is causing issues
• Working with legacy code, probably undocumented
• Unexpected technical debt
• Unnecessary holidays and sick leave
Q 42 As a scrum master how will you identify where you need to improve?

Be susceptible to feedback
Be open minded
Experiment with new suggestions
Share your experiences
Organize seminars & conferences to gather knowledge
Facilitate a fully dedicated retrospective meeting
Q 43 How would you handle a Scrum transition of an organization that was
heavily reliant on Waterfall before?

Waterfall Model to Scrum Framework

Make sure you have experienced people in the team who have been
practicing Scrum previously
You can conduct Scrum-related workshops, on-site practices & exercises
about user stories, time & cost estimations, collaboration tools, and other
tasks
Upgrade the project management tools you have been using till now
Try to talk to everyone in your organization
Facilitate a fully dedicated retrospective meeting
Q 44 Some suggest that the daily standup doesn’t work well with distributed teams. What is your opinion on
this? As a scrum master how are you going to handle daily scrums with remote teams?

Remote Daily Scrum

• Peer-to-peer status updates are interesting and relevant

• These scrum meetings are not just about information exchanges, they
involve discussion on social and complex aspects of team performance
• They are about building relationships, straightening out the hard issues,
and growing a great team culture
• Slack can be a perfect tool for leading your video calls with distributed teams
Q 45 Let’s say you have received a story on the last day of the sprint and you
find that there are defects in the story? What will you do? Will you mark it
as ‘done’?

Typically a user story is marked done, only when its development is

complete + QA is completed + acceptance criteria is met + it is
eligible to be shipped into production. In this case the user story
has defects, you can mark it as partially done and move it to the next
sprint.
Q 46 Can agile methodology also be applied in domains other than software
testing and development projects?

Agile methodologies are being

used today by a variety of
businesses such as
biochemistry, biophysics, bio-
medical, manufacturing,
support, marketing or supply
chain management.
Q 47 There are often people in teams who think scrum meetings are a waste of
time. Let’s say you have one such person in your team too. How are you
going to handle him/her?

First, have a one-on-one meeting with the team

member in question

Schedule a meeting with the department

manager

Consider shifting the team member to

another team
Q 48 How will you know that agile practices are working for your organization?
Are there any indicators to figure this out?

There is no standard definition of the term ‘Agile Success’. Every

organization must develop its own criteria to evaluate if their adoption to
agile was a success or not

 The products you deliver are resulting in higher customer retention rates,
upsells, and more customer acquisition
 When team members are extremely happy and there is an increase in the
number of referrals from team members
 Stakeholders are increasingly participating in events, for example,
during the Sprint Review
 Increased software quality can be demonstrated by measurably less
technical debt, fewer bugs, and less time spent on maintenance
 Lead time, from validated idea to shipped product, has been reduced
Q 49 As a scrum master how are you going to communicate with your team?

Communication skills are very essential for a scrum master. It is the best way for
a Scrum Master to get the cooperation of a Product Owner. They should work as
allies and coach the organization to become, and remain, agile. Both must serve as
excellent servant leaders without being authoritative on each other. They
should drive the development team towards success by working together.
Q 50 What anti-patterns might a Scrum Master fall into during a sprint?

The Anti-patterns During Sprint

• Flow disruption
• Does not educating stakeholders on the negative impact of disruptions
• Does not oppose line managers assigning other tasks to team members
• Does not object that the management invites engineers to random meetings
• Turns a blind eye to mid-Sprint changes of priorities by PO
• Assigning sub-tasks to developers
• Defining technical solutions
• Lack of support
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