SSM Supporting ART Events Practice Question
During PI Planning, the Scrum Master for Team Gamma notices that one team member is dominating the discussion and dismissing others' ideas during the team breakout. What is the most appropriate action for the Scrum Master to take?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that self-management means the Scrum Master should never intervene in team dynamics, even when facilitation is needed to uphold collaboration.
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
✓
Intervene to ensure all voices are heard and the team remains focused on the PI objectives.
The Scrum Master should intervene to ensure all voices are heard and the team stays focused. Facilitating inclusive discussions is a key Scrum Master responsibility during PI Planning. By addressing the dominating behavior, the Scrum Master helps the team leverage diverse perspectives and create a more robust plan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Intervene to ensure all voices are heard and the team remains focused on the PI objectives.
Why this is correct
The Scrum Master serves as a facilitator during PI Planning, ensuring effective collaboration. When one person dominates, the Scrum Master should step in to balance participation and keep the team aligned with the planning goals. This action supports the team's ability to self-organize and make collective decisions.
- ✗
Ignore the behavior because PI Planning is time-boxed and the team must complete their plan.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring disruptive behavior can lead to a poor plan that doesn't reflect the team's collective input. The Scrum Master's role includes fostering an environment where all team members can contribute. Time-boxing is important, but not at the expense of psychological safety and effective collaboration.
- ✗
Escalate the behavior to the functional manager of the dominating team member.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to a functional manager is premature and undermines the team's ability to handle interpersonal dynamics. The Scrum Master should first address the behavior within the team, using facilitation techniques to restore balance. Escalation is a last resort when team-level interventions fail.
- ✗
Let the team resolve the issue on their own to encourage self-management.
Why it's wrong here
While self-management is important, the Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the event and ensuring a safe, inclusive environment. Allowing disruptive behavior to continue can hinder the team's ability to plan effectively. The Scrum Master should intervene when necessary to uphold the values of respect and openness.
About these practice questions
This SSM question is part of Courseiva's 385-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.