Organizing teams around Features can significantly reduce dependencies between teams. When teams are aligned to deliver specific features, they have more autonomy and can work more independently, without needing to wait for other teams to complete their parts. This alignment minimizes coordination and dependency management overhead, enabling faster and more efficient delivery. It also allows teams to focus on delivering end-to-end functionality, which enhances the quality and coherence of the product.
SAFe Scrum Master References
SAFe 5.0 framework: principles of organizing teams around features to reduce dependencies
SAFe Agile Teams: benefits of feature-based team organization
Question 2
Which two Framework elements would a Scrum Master have the strongest connection and most frequent interaction? (Choose two.)
Options:
A.
Business Owners
B.
Release Train Engineer
C.
Systems Team
D.
Product Owner
E.
Epic Owner
Answer:
B, D
Explanation:
Release Train Engineer (RTE):
Role:The RTE is a servant leader and coach for the Agile Release Train (ART). They facilitate ART events and processes, assist teams in delivering value, and help manage risks and dependencies.
Interaction with Scrum Master:
Scrum Masters frequently collaborate with the RTE to coordinate cross-team activities and dependencies.
They work together during events like PI Planning, Scrum of Scrums, and Inspect & Adapt (I&A) workshops to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.
The RTE provides support and guidance to Scrum Masters, helping them resolve impediments that affect the ART.
Product Owner (PO):
Role:The Product Owner is responsible for defining and prioritizing the team backlog, ensuring that the team is working on the most valuable tasks.
Interaction with Scrum Master:
Scrum Masters work closely with Product Owners to facilitate effective backlog refinement sessions, ensuring that the backlog items are well-understood and ready for iteration planning.
They support the Product Owner in maintaining a clear and prioritized backlog, helping to communicate the vision and goals to the team.
During iteration planning and reviews, Scrum Masters assist Product Owners in engaging with the team and stakeholders, ensuring that feedback is collected and incorporated.
SAFe Scrum Master References:
Release Train Engineer:
SAFe materials outline the critical role of the RTE in coordinating the ART and supporting Scrum Masters in their efforts to remove impediments and ensure smooth execution of plans.
Scrum Open: Discusses the collaborative relationship between Scrum Masters and RTEs in facilitating ART events and managing dependencies.
Product Owner:
The SAFe framework emphasizes the importance of the Scrum Master-Product Owner partnership in driving the delivery of value and maintaining a healthy backlog.
Product Owner Open: Provides insights into how Scrum Masters and Product Owners work together to align on priorities and ensure the team is focused on the right tasks.
Question 3
What is one problem with phase-gate Milestones?
Options:
A.
They assume a point Solution exists and can be built right the first time
B.
They force design decisions too late in the process
C.
They account for variability inherent in the process
D.
They require the Product Owner to act as gatekeeper or guardian of the process
Answer:
A
Explanation:
Phase-gate milestones are traditional project management mechanisms that mark the end of one phase and the beginning of another. One major problem with phase-gate milestones is that they assume a point solution exists and can be built correctly the first time. This assumption does not account for the iterative nature of Agile methodologies, where solutions are developed incrementally and iteratively, with feedback loops and continuous improvement. Assuming a point solution can be finalized early often leads to rigidity, lack of adaptability, and higher risks of delivering a product that does not meet the actual needs or expectations.