SSM Supporting ART Events Practice Question
During the Coach Sync, a Scrum Master learns that two teams on the ART are using different definitions of done, causing integration issues at the System Demo. What should the Scrum Master do to address this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that a top-down mandate or simply documenting differences will resolve integration issues, when the real solution is facilitated collaboration among teams through the Coach Sync.
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
✓
Raise the issue in the Coach Sync and facilitate a discussion among the Scrum Masters to help the teams align on a shared definition of done.
Misaligned definitions of done across teams cause integration problems that surface at the System Demo. The Coach Sync is the right venue for Scrum Masters to collaborate and help their teams converge on a shared definition of done. This preserves team ownership while enabling the integration and frequent delivery that the ART requires, rather than mandating from above or avoiding the demo.
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 Release Train Engineer to mandate a single definition of done for all teams on the ART.
Why it's wrong here
While a shared definition of done is valuable, mandating it from the top down can reduce team ownership and may not fit all teams' contexts. The Scrum Master should facilitate collaboration among the teams to create a shared understanding. The Coach Sync is a forum for Scrum Masters and coaches to align on such practices, so the Scrum Master should raise the issue there and help the teams converge on a common definition.
- ✗
Advise the teams to skip the System Demo until they have fully aligned their definitions of done and can demonstrate integrated work.
Why it's wrong here
Skipping the System Demo removes a critical feedback loop and violates the SAFe principle of frequent integration. The demo is where integration issues surface and can be addressed. Avoiding it delays learning and may hide problems. The Scrum Master should help the teams align their definitions of done while continuing to demonstrate integrated work, using the demo as a catalyst for improvement, not a reason to pause.
- ✓
Raise the issue in the Coach Sync and facilitate a discussion among the Scrum Masters to help the teams align on a shared definition of done.
Why this is correct
The Coach Sync (or Scrum Master Sync) is the appropriate forum to address cross-team practice misalignments. By raising the issue there, the Scrum Master can collaborate with peers to help the teams develop a shared definition of done. This approach respects team autonomy while ensuring the integration needed for the System Demo. It also leverages the collective experience of other Scrum Masters on the train.
- ✗
Instruct each team to document its own definition of done and share it with the other team so they can manually reconcile differences during integration.
Why it's wrong here
Documenting and sharing separate definitions of done does not solve the integration problem; it merely makes the differences visible. Manual reconciliation during integration is error-prone and slows delivery. The goal is to align on a shared definition that supports frequent integration. The Scrum Master should facilitate a collaborative alignment process, not leave teams to reconcile incompatible practices on their own.
About these practice questions
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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.