Scrum Updated SMC Exam Questions and Answers by emilio

Sprint length should be selected deliberately and consistently, with consideration for the nature of the project, anticipated rate of change, risk, and planned release dates. SCRUMstudy specifically identifies planned product or service release dates as a factor that should be considered when determining Sprint length.

Option B is incorrect because the expected frequency and impact of changes matter considerably. Environments with substantial uncertainty or frequent changes often benefit from shorter feedback cycles, allowing the team and Product Owner to inspect results and adapt more frequently.

Option C reverses the logic. A highly stable environment does not automatically require the shortest Sprint purely because little change is expected. Sprint length should reflect the project's context rather than follow that blanket rule.

Option D is also incorrect. SBOK guidance uses relatively short Sprint intervals and emphasizes consistent time-boxes. A universal six-week Sprint is not the recommended rule.

Once an appropriate Sprint length has been agreed upon, unnecessary variation between Sprints should be avoided because changing duration undermines historical velocity and forecasting comparability.

Study Guide reference: Initiate - > Conduct Release Planning - > Length of Sprint; Principles - > Time-boxing and Iterative Development.

========

The standard SBOK User Story format is:

As a < role/persona > , I should be able to < requirement > so that < benefit > .

A User Story therefore expresses three essential dimensions: Who, What, and Why. The “Why” component identifies the benefit or value expected from satisfying the requirement.

Option D directly corresponds to that third component: What benefit is expected from the requirement? This helps ensure that functionality is connected to user or business value rather than being treated simply as an isolated technical request.

Cost of development is addressed through estimation and business-justification activities rather than the core User Story template. The specific individual responsible for performing the work is not embedded in a User Story because Scrum Teams are self-organizing and determine task ownership during planning and execution. Testing techniques may influence tasks or Acceptance Criteria but are not one of the three core User Story template elements.

Therefore, the expected benefit is the relevant question.

Study Guide reference: Plan and Estimate - > Create User Stories - > User Story Template: Role/Persona, Requirement, Benefit.

========

The Skills Requirement Matrix, also described as a competency framework, is specifically intended to map the competencies available within a team and identify development needs. SCRUMstudy's SBOK glossary states that this matrix is used to assess skill gaps and training requirements while mapping team members' skills, capabilities, and interest in applying those capabilities to the project.

This makes option A an exact match to the scenario.

An Organizational Deployment Method concerns how a release or organizational change may be introduced and does not map individual competencies. A Daily Standup enables coordination, status synchronization, and identification of impediments, but it is not a formal competency-assessment tool. “Organizational Resource Matrix” is not the SBOK tool defined for the detailed skills analysis described.

A Skills Requirement Matrix can therefore help identify whether sufficient expertise exists to satisfy project needs, where cross-training may be appropriate, and which team members require additional training. It also assists during team formation and capability planning.

Study Guide reference: Organization - > Form Scrum Team - > Skills Requirement Matrix/Competency Framework; Team capability and training requirements.

========

The Initiate phase establishes the foundation of the Scrum project. SCRUMstudy identifies its processes as Create Project Vision, Identify Scrum Master and Business Stakeholder(s), Form Scrum Team, Develop Epic(s), Create Prioritized Product Backlog, and Conduct Release Planning. Therefore, identifying the Scrum Master and relevant stakeholders is explicitly an Initiate-phase activity.

The remaining options belong to later phases. Estimating and committing User Stories form part of Plan and Estimate, where requirements selected from the Prioritized Product Backlog are analyzed, estimated, and committed for upcoming Sprint work. Conduct Daily Standup belongs to Implement, because it occurs while the Scrum Team is executing Sprint work and synchronizing daily activities.

This phase separation is important in SMC questions. Initiate establishes the vision, roles, high-level requirements, prioritized backlog, and initial release structure. Plan and Estimate converts prioritized requirements into executable Sprint-level work. Implement concerns actual creation of deliverables and daily coordination.

Accordingly, Identify Scrum Master and Stakeholder(s) is the only option that is explicitly part of the Initiate phase.

Study Guide reference: Initiate - > Identify Scrum Master and Business Stakeholder(s); Plan and Estimate - > Estimate/Commit User Stories; Implement - > Conduct Daily Standup.

========