SSM Defining the Scrum Master / Team Coach Role Practice Question
An Agile Team consistently delivers working software each Iteration, but the Scrum Master / Team Coach notices that the team rarely collaborates with other teams on the Agile Release Train. The team completes their own work but does not participate in ART Sync or share progress during the PI. What should the Scrum Master do to improve this situation?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that successful local delivery removes the need for ART-level coordination, when cross-team transparency is essential for integrated value.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Encourage the team to attend ART Sync and actively share dependencies, risks, and progress to foster transparency across the ART.
ART Sync exists to help teams coordinate, surface dependencies, and maintain transparency across the Agile Release Train. The Scrum Master / Team Coach should coach the team to participate actively rather than escalate or isolate. Encouraging direct engagement helps the team share progress and risks, which improves integration and flow. This approach builds collaboration without resorting to mandates or removing the team's voice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ask the Product Owner to represent the team at ART Sync and report on their behalf to save the team time.
Why it's wrong here
While the Product Owner may attend, having them represent the team exclusively removes the team's direct voice and ownership of technical dependencies and risks. The Scrum Master / Team Coach should foster direct team engagement in ART Sync so that the people doing the work can surface and resolve issues collaboratively.
- ✗
Suggest the team skip ART Sync since they are delivering successfully and instead focus on their own Iteration goals.
Why it's wrong here
This contradicts the need for ART-level coordination. Even high-performing teams can create integration issues if they do not share progress and dependencies. Skipping ART Sync would isolate the team and increase the risk of late discovery of cross-team problems, which undermines the ART's ability to deliver integrated value.
- ✓
Encourage the team to attend ART Sync and actively share dependencies, risks, and progress to foster transparency across the ART.
Why this is correct
This is correct because ART Sync is a key event for coordinating across teams, and the Scrum Master / Team Coach should help the team engage in it. By encouraging participation, the team can surface dependencies and risks early, improving flow and alignment. This directly addresses the lack of cross-team collaboration while respecting the team's autonomy.
- ✗
Escalate to the Release Train Engineer that the team is not participating in ART Sync so the RTE can mandate attendance.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation and mandates are not the first or best approach. The Scrum Master / Team Coach should coach the team on the value of ART Sync and help them prepare, rather than asking the RTE to enforce attendance. Mandating participation without understanding the team's context can create resistance and does not build intrinsic motivation for collaboration.
Visual reference
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Scaled Agile exam blueprint
This SSM practice question is part of Courseiva's free Scaled Agile certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SSM exam.