Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Advanced Scrum Master Practice Exam

What action should a team take if they cannot reach consensus on the size of a new Story presented by the Product Owner?

1. Agree on the size arbitrarily to move forward

2. Leave the Story in the Team Backlog for further refinement with the PO

3. Request additional Stories from the PO

4. Complete the Story using estimated sizes from past experiences

The correct answer is: Leave the Story in the Team Backlog for further refinement with the PO

When a team is unable to reach consensus on the size of a new Story presented by the Product Owner, the most effective action is to leave the Story in the Team Backlog for further refinement with the PO. This approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration and continuous communication within Agile practices. Refinement sessions are a key part of the Agile process, allowing the team to engage with the Product Owner to clarify requirements, discuss any uncertainties, and gain a better understanding of the Story's scope. This collaboration helps ensure that all team members are aligned and that there’s a shared understanding of what needs to be accomplished. Involving the Product Owner also ensures that the team can ask questions and discuss potential challenges or patterns that may affect the Story's complexity. This further encourages a culture of dialogue and improvement within the team, promoting transparency and better decision-making going forward. By choosing to refine the Story instead of arbitrarily assigning a size or using estimations from past experiences—which may not be relevant to the new Story—the team maintains quality in their planning and ultimately increases the likelihood of delivering valuable increments.