PSM-2 practice question 6 of 15

Scrum requires a Definition of Done. Which phrases describe the purpose of the Definition of Done? (choose the best three answers)

Answer options

A: It serves to track the percent completeness of a Product Backlog item during the Sprint.

B: During the Sprint it helps the Developers identify the work remaining for an Increment to be ready for release by the end of a Sprint. Correct answer

C: It creates transparency into the state of the Increment when it is inspected at the Sprint Review. Correct answer

D: It guides the Developers when creating a forecast at the Sprint Planning. Correct answer

E: It provides a template for the documentation of the product Increment.

F: It is a checklist to inspect whether the Developers have performed their tasks by the end of a Sprint.

Correct Answer:

B. During the Sprint it helps the Developers identify the work remaining for an Increment to be ready for release by the end of a Sprint.; C. It creates transparency into the state of the Increment when it is inspected at the Sprint Review.; D. It guides the Developers when creating a forecast at the Sprint Planning.

Explanation

The Definition of Done (DoD) is the Scrum Team's formal commitment to quality for the Increment. Its primary purpose is to create transparency by providing a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete (C). This shared understanding is crucial during Sprint Planning, as it guides the Developers in forecasting how much work they can select, since the effort required to meet the DoD is part of the work (D). Throughout the Sprint, the DoD serves as a clear target, helping the Developers inspect their progress and identify the remaining work needed to deliver a valuable, usable, and potentially releasable Increment (B).

Why Incorrect

A. The Definition of Done is a binary state (Done or not Done); it does not track percentage of completion for an item.
E. The DoD is a quality standard, not a documentation template. While creating documentation might be an item within the DoD, the DoD itself is not the template.
F. The DoD applies to the Increment, ensuring it meets a quality standard. It is not a checklist for individual developer tasks, which misplaces the focus from outcome to output.

References

1. The 2020 Scrum Guide. Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland.

For C & B: Under "Scrum Artifacts -> Increment -> Commitment: Definition of Done," it states, "The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment." This ensures the Increment is usable and its state is clear when inspected.

For D: Under "Scrum Events -> Sprint Planning -> Topic Three: How will the chosen work get done?," the guide implies the DoD's role in forecasting: "the more the Developers know about their... Definition of Done, the more confident they will be in their Sprint forecasts."

2. The Professional Scrum Master™ II (PSM II) Subject Areas. Scrum.org.

The "Scrum Framework" competency area emphasizes that a PSM II understands how the DoD is a key element of empiricism. It provides the transparency needed to inspect the Increment and adapt the plan, which directly supports options B and C. It also influences planning (D) by defining the scope of work for each item.

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