CSM Scrum Master Core Competencies Practice Question
A Scrum Master is helping a Product Owner who struggles to keep the Product Backlog ordered and refined. Which two actions best fit the Scrum Master's accountabilities in this situation? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking the Scrum Master should temporarily take over backlog ordering or let stakeholders vote, when the role is to coach and facilitate while the Product Owner retains accountability.
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
✓
Facilitate stakeholder collaboration so the Product Owner can make better-informed ordering decisions.
The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by teaching effective Product Backlog management techniques and by facilitating stakeholder collaboration. Both actions build the Product Owner's capability and support informed ordering without taking over the Product Owner's accountability. Directing Developers or letting stakeholders vote would undermine the Product Owner's authority over the backlog.
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 stakeholders to vote on the order of the Product Backlog during the Sprint Review.
Why it's wrong here
The Sprint Review is for inspecting the Increment and adapting the Product Backlog, not for stakeholders to vote and override the Product Owner's ordering. Asking stakeholders to vote undermines the Product Owner's accountability for value maximization. The Scrum Master should facilitate collaboration, not transfer ordering authority to a vote.
- ✓
Facilitate stakeholder collaboration so the Product Owner can make better-informed ordering decisions.
Why this is correct
The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by facilitating stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed. Better collaboration helps the Product Owner understand value and make informed ordering decisions. This action respects the Product Owner's authority while removing an obstacle to effective backlog management.
- ✗
Take over ordering the Product Backlog until the Product Owner becomes proficient, then hand it back.
Why it's wrong here
The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog. Temporarily taking over that accountability undermines ownership and can create confusion about who decides value. The Scrum Master should coach and teach rather than assume the Product Owner's responsibilities, even as a temporary measure.
- ✗
Direct the Developers to add technical debt items to the Product Backlog on the Product Owner's behalf.
Why it's wrong here
The Developers can raise technical concerns, but adding items to the Product Backlog on the Product Owner's behalf bypasses the Product Owner's ordering accountability. The Scrum Master should not instruct the Developers to act for the Product Owner. This would blur accountabilities rather than help the Product Owner manage the backlog.
- ✓
Teach the Product Owner techniques for effectively defining Product Backlog items and ordering them to maximize value.
Why this is correct
One of the Scrum Master's accountabilities is to serve the Product Owner by helping them find techniques for effective Product Backlog management. Teaching ordering and item-definition techniques directly addresses the struggle. It keeps ownership with the Product Owner while building capability, which is exactly the Scrum Master's service orientation.
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.