Scrum Master

Question 1

What is the purpose of scrum master in a project?

Answer 1

Make sure the product owner and development teams follow the principles and practices of scrum

Question 2

What is the scrum masters role as it relates to problems?

Answer 2

Scrum master does not solve problems, they help the team solve its own problems.

Question 3

Scrum masters should be authoritarian in the project.

Answer 3

False, they should seek participation and consensus. They are facilitators.

Question 4

What should a scrum master do if the team is not following scrum principles?

Answer 4

Collaborate with the group, suggest benefits and advantages and help the team come to their own conclusions

Question 5

When building the backlog, what is the role of the scrum master?

Answer 5

collaborate with product owner to collect user stories, prioritize them and estimate the effort. Collaborate on what will move through the project cycle.

Question 6

What should a scrum master do if the product owner does not have experience translating the vision into product backlog?

Answer 6

Engage in the process to assure it follows scrum guidelines.

Question 7

What should the scrum master do if the development team cannot solve the problem?

Answer 7

Step in and guide the team to the root cause.

Question 8

What should the scrum master be monitoring in the project?

Answer 8

Time allocated to scrum activities.
Measure productivity of the team to complete tasks within timeboxes
Intervene when team needs to be back on schedule

Question 9

What skills do scrum masters need?

Answer 9

1. Expert in artifacts and events associated with scrum
2. Patience
3. Ability to resolve conflicts through negotiation
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Refraining from autocratic behavior

Question 10

What are the different ranges of behavior?

Answer 10

1. Create conflict just to be difficult
2. Avoid conflict at all costs
3. Want to raise issues but resort to silence
4. Understand needs but flexible to collaborate to reach mutual beneficial agreement

Question 11

When should you decide to negotiate?

Answer 11

If the culture supports collaboration and cooperation

Question 12

What are the 2 different approaches to negotiation?

Answer 12

Power based

Interest based

Question 13

What is power-based negotiation?

Answer 13

One side wields the power and uses it to achieve their goals. Usually the side holding the power wins the negotiations

Question 14

What is interest based negotiations?

Answer 14

Both parties strive to finds mutual ground through a collaborative process

Question 15

When involved in a power-based negotiation, how do you know this and how do you compensate?

Answer 15

You know because the other side will not abandon their position. You compensate by drawing upon the power you have and arguing your position.

Question 16

What train of thought will help the negotiations ending process be more amicable for both parties?

Answer 16

You can’t ignore what the other side wants. They need something. Both parties need to work together after negotiating a conflict.

Question 17

What will skilled negotiators do most often to be most effective?

Answer 17

1. Avoid irritators
2. Spend less time defending and attacking
3. Spend more time listening and understanding
4. Summarize more often
5. Ask more questions
6. Make comments to establish common ground

Question 18

What are 2 strategies of negotiation?

Answer 18

Competitive Strategy

Cooperative Strategy

Question 19

What is the competitive strategy style of negotiation?

Answer 19

Get as much as possible with no regard for the other side’s position or needs.

Question 20

What is the cooperative strategy style of negotiation?

Answer 20

Reach a mutually agreeable outcome that will satisfy both sides.

Question 21

What are the five critical steps in the negotiating process?

Answer 21

1. Know your hot button
2. Listen Actively
3. Ask Questions
4. Acknowledge the other side
5. Build a bridge

Question 22

How do we know when our hot button has been pressed?

Answer 22

We feel angry, suddenly uncomfortable, heart rate increases, feel embarrassed, need to quickly get away

Question 23

What are 3 natural ways to respond to hot buttons being pressed?

Answer 23

Strike back
give in
break off

Question 24

When should you “give in” to a negotiation?

Answer 24

When the item is not much at stake and has immaterial impact on the project

Question 25

Although striking back at times can have an appropriate effect on negotiation, what could be the side effect if used too much?

Answer 25

The more you escalate, the less power you have.

Question 26

How can you get yourself out of the strike back loop?

Answer 26

1. Calm down
2. Talk to yourself
3. Don’t take the aggressive behavior personally
4. Refocus on the problem, not the attack
5. Reconsider your strategy
6. Rebuild your self-esteem
7. Excuse yourself from the situation, check with the boss tactic.

Question 27

Why is active listening a powerful tool in negotiation?

Answer 27

It shows the other side you are listening and trying to understand their position. It helps defuse the other sides anxiety and sets the stage for productive negotiations.

Helps you maintain control of the process.

Question 28

What makes up a good question?

Answer 28

1. Requires the other side to think.
2. Requires the other side to see the problem from another point of view.
3. Invites other side into collaborative process

Question 29

What does it mean to “build a bridge” in the negotiating process?

Answer 29

Don’t jump in with your brilliant solution. Find a point the other side made that is of common interest. Use this as a foundation to work up through other point and seek agreement.

Question 30

What strategies can be used to “build a bridge” in the negotiation process?

Answer 30

Build on a common point.
Give them a choice
Give them credit

Question 31

Why is giving choices hard in negotiations?

Answer 31

You have to be flexible and be willing to move your position to an alternative approach.

Question 32

How can giving choices be an effective tool?

Answer 32

Gives the other party a chance to take a closer look, compare choices, tell you what they think so you can move the negotiation.

Question 33

How can “Giving someone credit” help to “Build a Bridge” in negotiations?

Answer 33

Gives a point of interest and builds the other party up to continue building the bridge of a solution to the conflict.

Question 34

What is BATNA?

Answer 34

Best alternative to a negotiated agreement

Question 35

How do you develop a strong BATNA?

Answer 35

Take time to create a credible alternative

Question 36

When should you use BATNA in negotiations as a threat?

Answer 36

Only when absolutely necessary and you plan on following through