PSPO 1 Revision

Tough concepts for PO Cert with scrum.org

Who is accountable for the Product Backlog?

The Product Owner.

Does the Product Owner decide estimates?

No. Developers estimate. The Product Owner explains value and intent.

Who decides the order of the Product Backlog?

The Product Owner.

Is the Product Owner responsible for maximising value?

Yes — this is their core accountability.

Can stakeholders change the Product Backlog directly?

No. Stakeholders may influence, but the Product Owner decides.

Is the Product Backlog prioritised or ordered?

Ordered.

What factors can influence Product Backlog ordering?

Value, risk, dependencies, size, learning, ROI.

Does Scrum require a prioritisation framework (e.g. MoSCoW)?

No. Scrum does not prescribe prioritisation models.

Can a lower-value item be ordered higher than a higher-value item?

Yes — due to risk, dependencies, or learning.

Is backlog refinement a Scrum event?

No. It is an ongoing activity.

Who participates in backlog refinement?

The Product Owner and Developers (and others as needed).

What is the goal of refinement?

To make items transparent, understood, and ready for future Sprints.

Can refinement happen during a Sprint?

Yes.

When are items selected for a Sprint?

During Sprint Planning.

Should unclear Product Backlog Items be selected for a Sprint?

No.

What is the difference between refinement and Sprint Planning?

Refinement prepares items; Sprint Planning selects and plans them.

Why do Scrum Teams estimate work?

To support forecasting and decision-making.

Are estimates commitments?

No

Who is responsible for meeting Sprint commitments?

The Developers.

What should happen if an item is too large to estimate?

It should be refined or split.

How does Scrum manage uncertainty?

Through empiricism: transparency, inspection, adaptation.

Is upfront detailed planning required in Scrum?

No. Planning is iterative and incremental.

Who decides what delivers the most value in Scrum?

The Product Owner decides, informed by customers, users, stakeholders, and feedback from increments.