Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Advanced Scrum Master Practice Exam

What is a common anti-pattern that emerges during the scrum of scrums?

1. Teams sharing best practices

2. Scrum Masters report on the teams' task status each day

3. Scrum Masters facilitating team discussions

4. Creating a shared definition of done

The correct answer is: Scrum Masters report on the teams' task status each day

The scenario presented in the question highlights a common anti-pattern that occurs during a Scrum of Scrums, where Scrum Masters report on their teams' task statuses each day. This behavior can lead to several issues that undermine the principles of Agile and Scrum. In a healthy Scrum of Scrums environment, the focus should be on collaboration, coordination, and addressing inter-team dependencies rather than turning the meeting into a status report for management. If Scrum Masters report individual task statuses, it risks reverting to a command-and-control approach, which conflicts with the self-organizing nature of Agile teams. Each team should own its work and communicate the progress in a way that fosters responsibility and autonomy. This oversight can stifle open communication and reduce the effectiveness of the Scrum of Scrums by shifting the meeting's purpose away from collaborative problem-solving to individual reporting. Additionally, this anti-pattern can lead to disengagement among participants, as the focus shifts from collective challenges and solutions to routine status updates that may not be relevant or beneficial to other teams. The Scrum of Scrums should ideally facilitate discussion around roadblocks that impact multiple teams, enhancements, and shared learning, rather than merely tracking the status of tasks. In contrast, sharing best practices, facilitating team discussions, and creating a shared definition