CSM Service to the Product Owner Practice Question
A Product Owner is new to Scrum and keeps changing the Sprint Goal mid-Sprint based on stakeholder feedback. The Developers are frustrated by the shifting priorities. How should the Scrum Master best serve the Product Owner?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking the Scrum Master should shield the Developers by overriding the Product Owner or canceling Sprints, rather than coaching the Product Owner on Scrum principles.
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
✓
Coach the Product Owner on the purpose of the Sprint Goal and the impact of changing it mid-Sprint.
Coaching the Product Owner on the Sprint Goal's purpose and the effects of mid-Sprint changes directly serves their need to understand Scrum's boundaries. It empowers the Product Owner to manage stakeholder feedback without destabilizing the Developers, preserving focus and value 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.
- ✗
Tell the Developers to ignore the Product Owner's changes and continue with the original plan.
Why it's wrong here
Instructing Developers to ignore the Product Owner undermines the Product Owner's authority and Scrum's collaborative nature. The Scrum Master should address the root cause by coaching the Product Owner, not by creating conflict between accountabilities. Ignoring changes could also miss genuine value opportunities.
- ✗
Suggest the Product Owner cancel the Sprint and start a new one whenever priorities change.
Why it's wrong here
Frequently canceling Sprints is disruptive and wasteful, and it undermines the cadence and learning benefits of Scrum. The Scrum Master should help the Product Owner understand that the Sprint Goal provides focus and that changes can be considered for the next Sprint, not by repeatedly canceling.
- ✗
Ask the stakeholders to stop providing feedback until the Sprint Review.
Why it's wrong here
Stifling stakeholder feedback is counterproductive and does not address the Product Owner's behavior. The Scrum Master should facilitate effective stakeholder engagement while coaching the Product Owner on managing feedback within the Sprint's timebox, rather than cutting off communication.
- ✓
Coach the Product Owner on the purpose of the Sprint Goal and the impact of changing it mid-Sprint.
Why this is correct
Coaching the Product Owner on the Sprint Goal's purpose and the consequences of mid-Sprint changes helps them understand how such shifts disrupt focus and value delivery. This is a direct Scrum Master service, enabling the Product Owner to make more informed decisions while respecting the Sprint's timebox.
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.