I85PREP
⌘ K
CSM study materials
CSM study resources

CSM practice questions

One question at a time. Build your CSM understanding.

First 50 of 197 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Scrum theory and principles

Scrum is founded on empirical process control. Which three elements make up the pillars of empiricism?

  1. Detailed up-front planning, estimation, and control
  2. Transparency, inspection, and adaptation Correct answer.
  3. Timeboxing and forecasting
  4. Commitment, courage, and focus

Explanation

Empirical process control rests on three pillars: transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Scrum uses these so decisions are based on what is actually known rather than on speculation.

Question 2Scrum theory and principles

Which of the following is one of the five Scrum values?

  1. Efficiency
  2. Openness Correct answer.
  3. Competitiveness
  4. Predictability

Explanation

The five Scrum values are commitment, focus, openness, respect, and courage. They guide the behavior of the Scrum Team and support the empirical pillars.

Question 3Scrum theory and principles

What is the main purpose of the Definition of Done?

  1. To measure individual productivity
  2. To share a common understanding of when work is complete Correct answer.
  3. To record who approved each backlog item
  4. To list every task the developers plan to perform during the Sprint

Explanation

The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It creates a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete.

Question 4Scrum theory and principles

What is the maximum length of a Sprint in Scrum?

  1. Six weeks
  2. Three weeks
  3. One month Correct answer.
  4. Two weeks

Explanation

Sprints are fixed-length events of one month or less. A new Sprint starts immediately after the previous one ends.

Question 5Scrum theory and principles

In Scrum, what does it mean that the Developers are self-managing?

  1. They decide the product strategy without the Product Owner
  2. They are managed by the Scrum Master on a daily basis
  3. They decide how to do the work and who does what Correct answer.
  4. They can ignore the Definition of Done when under pressure

Explanation

Self-management means the Developers internally decide who does what, when, and how. This authority operates within the boundaries set by the organization and the Scrum framework.

Question 6Scrum theory and principles

Which statement best describes the Product Backlog?

  1. A fixed contract that cannot change during a Sprint
  2. A detailed Gantt schedule that maps every future release and milestone
  3. An emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product Correct answer.
  4. A record of every defect found in production

Explanation

The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team.

Question 7Scrum theory and principles

What is the timebox for the Daily Scrum?

  1. 5 minutes
  2. 10 minutes
  3. 15 minutes Correct answer.
  4. 30 minutes

Explanation

The Daily Scrum is timeboxed to 15 minutes regardless of the Sprint length. It is a short event for the Developers to inspect progress and adapt their plan.

Question 8Scrum theory and principles

Which of the following best describes the Scrum Master's accountability?

  1. Maximizing the value of the product
  2. Assigning tasks to individual Developers
  3. Establishing Scrum and removing impediments Correct answer.
  4. Approving the Sprint Backlog before work begins

Explanation

The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide and for helping the Scrum Team and organization improve. Removing impediments is part of serving the team.

Question 9Scrum theory and principles

An Increment is difficult to inspect because the team does not share a common understanding of quality. Which pillar of empiricism is most directly weakened?

  1. Inspection
  2. Transparency Correct answer.
  3. Commitment
  4. Adaptation

Explanation

Inspection depends on transparency: the artifact must be visible and understood in the same way by those inspecting it. If quality expectations differ, the Increment is not transparent, so inspection cannot yield reliable insight.

Question 10Scrum theory and principles

According to Scrum, when should adaptation of the process or product occur?

  1. When inspection shows a deviation beyond acceptable limits Correct answer.
  2. At the annual planning cycle
  3. Only after the final release
  4. Only when the Product Owner requests it

Explanation

If inspection reveals that one or more aspects of the process or product deviate outside acceptable limits, adaptation should happen as soon as possible. The adjustment should be made quickly to minimize further deviation.

Question 11Scrum theory and principles

What is the primary role of the Sprint Goal?

  1. To replace the Definition of Done for the Sprint
  2. To document the team's velocity for stakeholders
  3. To give one objective that provides focus and flexibility Correct answer.
  4. To list every Product Backlog item selected for the Sprint

Explanation

The Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. It creates coherence and focus while giving the Developers flexibility on the exact work needed to achieve it.

Question 12Scrum theory and principles

What is an Increment?

  1. A document describing future product features
  2. A usable step toward the Product Goal Correct answer.
  3. The total number of story points completed
  4. The set of meetings held during a Sprint

Explanation

An Increment is a concrete, usable step toward the Product Goal. Each Increment adds to previous increments and must meet the Definition of Done.

Question 13Scrum theory and principles

Which statement best captures the relationship between iterative and incremental development in Scrum?

  1. Scrum delivers the full product once at the end of the project after all requirements are fixed
  2. Scrum increments the team size in each Sprint
  3. Scrum iterates on documents but increments only at release
  4. Scrum refines the product through repeated cycles while adding usable pieces Correct answer.

Explanation

Scrum is iterative in that it uses repeated cycles to refine understanding, and incremental in that it adds usable, completed pieces of product. Both work together to manage complexity and deliver value sooner.

Question 14Scrum theory and principles

Who is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team?

  1. The Scrum Master
  2. The Developers
  3. The stakeholders
  4. The Product Owner Correct answer.

Explanation

The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and for effective Product Backlog management. The role exists to bring product focus and ordering decisions.

Question 15Scrum theory and principles

How does the Scrum Master best help the Scrum Team embrace empiricism?

  1. By tracking individual velocity and reporting it to management
  2. By extending Sprint length when uncertainty is high
  3. By approving every decision the team makes
  4. By coaching transparency and inspect-and-adapt behavior Correct answer.

Explanation

The Scrum Master serves the team by coaching it in self-management and in working transparently, inspecting its work, and adapting. This helps the team rely on evidence rather than assumptions.

Question 16Scrum theory and principles

What is the purpose of the Sprint Review?

  1. To update the Definition of Done for the next release
  2. To decide whether each Developer deserves a bonus
  3. To demonstrate every task completed in the Sprint
  4. To inspect the Sprint outcome and adapt future work Correct answer.

Explanation

The Sprint Review is held to inspect the outcome of the Sprint with stakeholders and to determine future adaptations. It is a working session about the product, not a formal status report.

Question 17Scrum theory and principles

What is the purpose of the Sprint Retrospective?

  1. To assign blame for every Sprint item that was missed
  2. To plan ways to raise quality and effectiveness Correct answer.
  3. To present the Increment to stakeholders
  4. To re-estimate every Product Backlog item

Explanation

The Sprint Retrospective inspects how the last Sprint went with respect to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and the Definition of Done. The team then plans improvements to increase quality and effectiveness.

Question 18Scrum theory and principles

Which topics are addressed during Sprint Planning?

  1. Only the budget and release date
  2. Why the Sprint is valuable, what can be done, and how Correct answer.
  3. The final approval of the Definition of Done for the release
  4. Which Developers will be promoted

Explanation

Sprint Planning addresses why the Sprint is valuable, what can be done in the Sprint, and how the chosen work will be accomplished. These correspond to the Sprint Goal, the selected items, and the plan.

Question 19Scrum theory and principles

Which practice most directly supports transparency of the Product Backlog?

  1. Updating the backlog once per year
  2. Estimating every item in hours only
  3. Making backlog items visible and understood by the team Correct answer.
  4. Keeping backlog items only in the Product Owner's private notes

Explanation

Transparency requires that artifacts be visible to those doing the work and understood in the same way. Making the Product Backlog visible and understood supports effective inspection and adaptation.

Question 20Scrum theory and principles

A Developer raises a concern that the team's current approach will not meet the Sprint Goal. Which Scrum value does this behavior most reflect?

  1. Respect
  2. Courage Correct answer.
  3. Focus
  4. Commitment

Explanation

Courage is demonstrated when team members do the right thing and take on tough problems. Raising a difficult concern about the Sprint Goal is an act of courage that helps the team adapt.

Question 21Scrum theory and principles

Why does Scrum use an empirical approach rather than a predictive one for complex product development?

  1. Because predictive planning is prohibited by the Scrum Guide
  2. Because complex work has no defined goal
  3. Because empirical processes eliminate the need for estimates
  4. Because uncertainty means more is learned as work proceeds Correct answer.

Explanation

In complex work, requirements and technology emerge, so knowledge grows through experience and observation. Empirical process control allows decisions to be based on what has actually been learned.

Question 22Scrum theory and principles

Within a Scrum Team, what does self-management imply about decision-making?

  1. Each Developer independently sets their own Sprint length
  2. The team decides how to handle its work within agreed boundaries Correct answer.
  3. External managers set the team's Definition of Done
  4. The Scrum Master decides whenever the team cannot reach agreement

Explanation

Self-managing teams have the authority to decide how to handle their own work within boundaries set by the organization and the Scrum framework. The Scrum Master facilitates rather than acting as the decision maker.

Question 23Scrum theory and principles

An organization has no Definition of Done, so each Developer uses a personal quality standard. What is the most likely consequence for empiricism?

  1. The Product Owner can declare any work done without team agreement
  2. The Increment's state is unclear, weakening transparency Correct answer.
  3. Velocity becomes more accurate
  4. The Sprint Review can be skipped

Explanation

Without a shared Definition of Done, the team cannot reliably agree on what is complete. The state of the Increment becomes ambiguous, which weakens transparency and makes inspection unreliable.

Question 24Scrum theory and principles

What is the role of the Product Goal in the Scrum framework?

  1. It describes a future state the Scrum Team plans to fulfill Correct answer.
  2. It lists the acceptance criteria for each backlog item
  3. It is a fixed contract that cannot change until the product is retired
  4. It replaces the Sprint Goal for every Sprint

Explanation

The Product Goal describes a future state of the product and serves as a long-term objective for the Scrum Team. It gives direction while remaining adaptable as the product and its environment evolve.

Question 25Scrum theory and principles

Which action best reflects lean thinking in Scrum?

  1. Keeping all optional work in the Sprint to use spare capacity
  2. Limiting work in progress and removing waste Correct answer.
  3. Adding approval gates before every Sprint event
  4. Maximizing the number of items started each day

Explanation

Lean thinking emphasizes limiting work in progress, eliminating waste, and focusing on value delivery. Scrum applies these ideas through small increments, focus, and frequent inspection.

Question 26Scrum theory and principles

Which three pillars support empirical process control in Scrum?

  1. Transparency, inspection, and adaptation Correct answer.
  2. Vision, value, and customer feedback
  3. Courage, focus, and openness to change
  4. Planning, execution, and stakeholder approval

Explanation

Empiricism rests on transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Transparency makes the process and work visible, inspection examines artifacts and progress, and adaptation adjusts the process or product based on what is learned.

Question 27Scrum theory and principles

Which set lists the five Scrum values?

  1. Courage, focus, commitment, openness, and respect Correct answer.
  2. Transparency, inspection, adaptation, feedback, and trust
  3. Planning, commitment, delivery, review, and respect
  4. Focus, quality, speed, openness, and accountability

Explanation

The Scrum Guide names five values: commitment, focus, openness, respect, and courage. These values guide the behavior of the Scrum Team and underpin the empirical pillars.

Question 28Scrum theory and principles

What is the recommended maximum size of a Scrum Team?

  1. Exactly seven people
  2. Ten or fewer people Correct answer.
  3. Three to five people
  4. No more than fifteen people

Explanation

Scrum Teams are typically ten or fewer people: small enough to remain nimble and large enough to complete significant work within a Sprint. If the team grows larger, it should reorganize into multiple cohesive teams.

Question 29Scrum theory and principles

A Scrum Team is described as cross-functional. What does this mean?

  1. Every member can perform every task on the team
  2. The team includes stakeholders from several functions
  3. The team has all the skills needed to create value each Sprint Correct answer.
  4. Members come from different functional departments

Explanation

Cross-functional means the Scrum Team collectively has all the competencies needed to accomplish the work and create value each Sprint. It does not require each individual to be able to do every task.

Question 30Scrum theory and principles

What is the maximum length of a Sprint?

  1. Two weeks
  2. One month or less Correct answer.
  3. One calendar quarter
  4. Six weeks

Explanation

Sprints are fixed-length events of one month or less. A shorter cadence generates more learning cycles and limits risk to the cost of a short period.

Question 31Scrum theory and principles

In Scrum, what is a timebox?

  1. A deadline set by the Product Owner for each backlog item
  2. A schedule negotiated by the team for each Sprint
  3. A minimum duration that every event must last
  4. A fixed maximum duration that an event cannot exceed Correct answer.

Explanation

A timebox is a fixed maximum duration for an event; the event ends by the timebox at the latest and may finish earlier. Timeboxing creates cadence and limits the risk of unbounded discussion.

Question 32Scrum theory and principles

How many Product Owners does a Scrum Team have?

  1. One representative elected by the Developers
  2. One Product Owner for each product feature
  3. One person, who may delegate work but stays accountable Correct answer.
  4. One per stakeholder group, rotating each Sprint

Explanation

The Product Owner is one person, not a committee. The Product Owner may delegate responsibilities, but remains accountable for the Product Backlog and for maximizing value.

Question 33Scrum theory and principles

How does the Scrum Master serve the wider organization?

  1. By causing the removal of barriers between stakeholders and teams Correct answer.
  2. By approving the Definition of Done for each Increment
  3. By assigning daily tasks to the Developers
  4. By managing the budget for the product

Explanation

The Scrum Master serves the organization by leading and coaching its Scrum adoption and by removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams. This helps the organization understand and enable empirical product development.

Question 34Scrum theory and principles

A team reports progress using different measures each Sprint, so stakeholders cannot compare results over time. Which pillar does this most directly weaken?

  1. Transparency Correct answer.
  2. Inspection
  3. Commitment
  4. Adaptation

Explanation

Transparency requires a common standard so that everyone observing the work reaches the same understanding of it. When measures shift arbitrarily, the true state of the work is obscured, and meaningful inspection becomes unreliable.

Question 35Scrum theory and principles

Why does Scrum inspect work at a cadence instead of inspecting continuously?

  1. Continuous inspection removes the need for a shared Definition of Done
  2. Inspection is only valuable when stakeholders perform it
  3. Frequent inspection weakens transparency over time
  4. Inspection must be frequent, but excessive inspection disrupts work Correct answer.

Explanation

Scrum balances the frequency of inspection: it must be frequent enough to detect unacceptable deviation, yet not so frequent that it gets in the way of the work. The Sprint cadence provides this balance.

Question 36Scrum theory and principles

Mid-Sprint, the Developers discover a backlog item cannot be built as described with the available technology, although the Sprint Goal is still achievable with another approach. What does empiricism suggest?

  1. End the Sprint and return the item to the Product Backlog
  2. Adapt the plan within the Sprint and continue toward the Goal Correct answer.
  3. Ask the Product Owner to cancel the Sprint immediately
  4. Keep the original plan and raise the issue at the Sprint Review

Explanation

Inspection exists to enable adaptation, and the Developers adjust the Sprint Backlog as new information emerges. As long as the Sprint Goal remains achievable, the team adapts its plan inside the Sprint.

Question 37Scrum theory and principles

A Developer turns down a request to start unrelated work in the middle of a Sprint so the team can finish its Sprint Goal. Which Scrum value is most evident?

  1. Commitment
  2. Respect
  3. Focus Correct answer.
  4. Openness

Explanation

Focus means concentrating on the work of the Sprint and the Sprint Goal, limiting work in progress. Protecting the team from unrelated work is a direct expression of that value.

Question 38Scrum theory and principles

A Developer tells the team early that an estimate was wrong and a task is larger than expected. Which value does this best illustrate?

  1. Commitment
  2. Focus
  3. Courage
  4. Openness Correct answer.

Explanation

Openness means the Scrum Team and its stakeholders are open about the work and the challenges they face. Sharing unwelcome news early lets the team inspect and adapt before the problem grows.

Question 39Scrum theory and principles

Under self-management, who decides how the Developers convert Product Backlog items into an Increment during a Sprint?

  1. The Scrum Master, who removes impediments
  2. The Developers themselves Correct answer.
  3. The Product Owner, who orders the backlog
  4. The line manager, who owns technical standards

Explanation

Self-managing teams decide internally who does what, when, and how. The Developers therefore choose their own approach for turning Product Backlog items into an Increment.

Question 40Scrum theory and principles

If the organization has no standard Definition of Done, who must create one?

  1. The Product Owner with key stakeholders
  2. The Scrum Master alone
  3. The Scrum Team Correct answer.
  4. The quality assurance department

Explanation

If a Definition of Done is part of the organization's standards, all Scrum Teams must follow it as a minimum. If no such standard exists, the Scrum Team must create a Definition of Done appropriate for the product.

Question 41Scrum theory and principles

For a one-month Sprint, what is the maximum timebox for Sprint Planning?

  1. Eight hours Correct answer.
  2. Sixteen hours
  3. Two hours
  4. Four hours

Explanation

Sprint Planning is timeboxed to a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter.

Question 42Scrum theory and principles

Who has the authority to cancel a Sprint?

  1. The Scrum Master, when impediments block progress
  2. The Developers, by unanimous vote
  3. Any key stakeholder
  4. The Product Owner Correct answer.

Explanation

Only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, and this happens when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Cancellation is rare and consumes resources, so it is reserved for that specific condition.

Question 43Scrum theory and principles

Who is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, including ordering items to best achieve the Product Goal?

  1. The Product Owner Correct answer.
  2. The most senior stakeholder
  3. The Developers
  4. The Scrum Master

Explanation

The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes ordering items to best achieve the Product Goal. The Product Owner may delegate the work but remains accountable.

Question 44Scrum theory and principles

What is the purpose of the Daily Scrum?

  1. The Product Owner reprioritizes the Product Backlog
  2. Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the plan Correct answer.
  3. The Scrum Master reviews each Developer's assigned tasks
  4. Stakeholders receive a status report on the Increment

Explanation

The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as needed. It improves communication and identifies impediments, but it is not a status report to others.

Question 45Scrum theory and principles

What must be true of an Increment?

  1. It must contain only items finished in the current Sprint
  2. It must be released to production at the end of each Sprint
  3. It must be approved by stakeholders before it is shown
  4. It must meet the Definition of Done and be usable Correct answer.

Explanation

An Increment is the sum of all completed work and must meet the Definition of Done and be usable so it can provide value. Each Increment is additive to the increments that came before it.

Question 46Scrum theory and principles

Scrum is described as purposefully incomplete. What does this mean?

  1. Scrum sets only what empiricism requires and leaves the rest Correct answer.
  2. Experienced teams may skip events they find redundant
  3. Scrum omits the roles needed to build products
  4. Organizations must add their own events to Scrum

Explanation

Scrum defines only the minimum required to implement empirical process control, leaving teams to fill in the practices that fit their context. It is a framework, not a prescriptive methodology.

Question 47Scrum theory and principles

An experienced Scrum Team proposes dropping the Sprint Retrospective because it 'already knows its issues.' What is the most accurate response?

  1. It is acceptable if the Scrum Master agrees
  2. It is acceptable if the team replaces it with a survey
  3. It is acceptable when no impediments exist
  4. All five Scrum events are required and must be kept Correct answer.

Explanation

The Scrum events are prescribed and create the regularity needed for transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Omitting one removes a formal opportunity to inspect and adapt, regardless of the team's experience.

Question 48Scrum theory and principles

In an empirical process, on what are decisions primarily based?

  1. Historical benchmarks from similar past projects
  2. Observation, experience, and experimentation Correct answer.
  3. Expert estimates reviewed and approved by management
  4. Detailed upfront specifications and formal change control

Explanation

Empirical process control bases decisions on what is observed, what has been experienced, and what is learned through experimentation. This suits complex work where the path forward cannot be fully predicted.

Question 49Scrum theory and principles

The Scrum Team is self-managing. How does this relate to organizational policies such as security or regulatory standards?

  1. Organizational policies apply only to the Product Owner
  2. The team operates within organizational policies and Scrum rules Correct answer.
  3. Self-management allows the team to override organizational policies
  4. The Scrum Master enforces policies and directs daily work

Explanation

Self-management concerns deciding internally who does what, when, and how. It does not exempt the team from organizational policies or from the rules of the Scrum framework.

Question 50Scrum theory and principles

What is the main reason Scrum timeboxes the Sprint to one month or less?

  1. To limit risk to a short period and allow frequent inspection Correct answer.
  2. To force the Developers to finish all items within a month
  3. To give the Product Owner a monthly release deadline
  4. To align with standard financial reporting cycles

Explanation

A short, fixed Sprint bounds risk to the cost of that period and provides frequent opportunities to inspect and adapt. It also creates a consistent cadence for the team and its stakeholders.