CSM Scrum Master Core Competencies Practice Question
A newly formed team is struggling to identify their first Sprint Goal. How should the Scrum Master guide them?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often recommend creating a generic task list or letting management dictate the Sprint Goal, overlooking the team's need to find a cohesive value objective.
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
✓
Help the team find a coherent objective that aligns their planned work.
The Scrum Master should coach the team to focus on the value they can deliver in the Sprint rather than just a collection of tasks. By encouraging the team to look at the Product Backlog, the Scrum Master helps them find a coherent theme or outcome for the iteration. This is a core competency that helps the team transition from task-based work to outcome-based delivery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Write the Sprint Goal for the team to save time.
Why it's wrong here
Writing the goal for them prevents the team from taking ownership. The Sprint Goal must be created by the team during Sprint Planning. If the Scrum Master does it, the team won't feel committed to the outcome. The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate the creation of the goal, not define it.
- ✓
Help the team find a coherent objective that aligns their planned work.
Why this is correct
The Scrum Master facilitates the team's discovery of an objective that gives the Sprint focus and direction. This aligns with the Scrum framework's requirement for a Sprint Goal. When the team defines this objective, they feel empowered and understand the 'why' behind their work, which significantly improves their motivation and productivity.
- ✗
Tell the team that a Sprint Goal is optional for new teams.
Why it's wrong here
The Sprint Goal is a fundamental part of the Scrum framework and is never optional. Suggesting it is optional would be a failure to uphold the Scrum framework. The Scrum Master must ensure that the team understands and follows the basic principles of Scrum from the very beginning of their journey.
- ✗
Ask the Product Owner to define the Sprint Goal alone.
Why it's wrong here
The Sprint Goal is a commitment made by the entire Scrum Team, not just the Product Owner. While the Product Owner provides input, the Developers must agree to it. If the Product Owner defines it alone, the team may not have the capacity or the shared understanding to achieve the stated goal.
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 Scrum Alliance exam blueprint
This CSM practice question is part of Courseiva's free Scrum Alliance 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 CSM exam.