CSM Service to the Scrum Team Practice Question
A Scrum Master joins a Scrum Team that has been working together for several Sprints. During a Daily Scrum, the Scrum Master notices that two Developers are describing their progress to the Scrum Master rather than to each other. The Scrum Master says nothing and the pattern continues. What is the most appropriate action for the Scrum Master to take?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming the Scrum Master should immediately correct or facilitate the Daily Scrum, when the Scrum Master serves by coaching the Developers to own and self-manage their event.
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
✓
During the next Sprint Retrospective, coach the team to recognize that the Daily Scrum is for the Developers and help them decide how to refocus it on each other.
The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team by coaching self-management and helping the team improve its practices. Because the Daily Scrum is the Developers' event, the Scrum Master should not command or take it over, but should help the Developers see the pattern and decide how to change it. The Retrospective is the appropriate, non-disruptive setting for that inspection and adaptation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Take over facilitation of the Daily Scrum and ask each Developer a direct question in turn to ensure the event stays on track.
Why it's wrong here
Taking over the Daily Scrum makes the Scrum Master the center of the event and reinforces the very behavior observed. The Daily Scrum is a Developers' event for inspecting progress toward the Sprint Goal, and the Scrum Master serves by teaching and coaching, not by becoming the facilitator. Directing each person in turn also shifts the event toward status reporting.
- ✓
During the next Sprint Retrospective, coach the team to recognize that the Daily Scrum is for the Developers and help them decide how to refocus it on each other.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team by coaching self-management. Raising the observed pattern in the Retrospective lets the Developers own the inspection and adaptation of their Daily Scrum, which is the event designed for that purpose. The Scrum Master does not impose a fix but helps the team discover and decide the change, preserving the Developers' authority over their own event.
- ✗
Immediately interrupt the Daily Scrum and remind the Developers that they should speak only to each other, then resume the event.
Why it's wrong here
Interrupting the Daily Scrum disrupts the Developers' event and models command-and-control rather than coaching. Although the Scrum Master may note the pattern, the Daily Scrum belongs to the Developers, and a public correction during the event undermines their self-management. The Scrum Master should instead help the team reflect in the Retrospective, where process improvements are inspected and adapted.
- ✗
Report the behavior to the Product Owner so the Product Owner can direct the Developers to follow the correct Daily Scrum format.
Why it's wrong here
The Product Owner does not direct how the Developers run the Daily Scrum, and involving the Product Owner in this interpersonal pattern misuses their role. The Scrum Master serves the team by coaching, not by escalating to the Product Owner. The Product Owner's focus is value and the Product Backlog, not the internal facilitation of the Daily Scrum, which the Developers own.
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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.