CSM Scrum Master Core Competencies Practice Question
A Scrum Team has been working together for several Sprints. During a Daily Scrum, the Scrum Master notices that two Developers are discussing a technical design decision in depth, and the conversation is drifting away from the purpose of the event. The other Developers are waiting. What is the most appropriate action for the Scrum Master?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming the Scrum Master should immediately intervene during the event rather than coaching the team afterward to maintain self-management.
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
✓
After the Daily Scrum, coach the Developers on keeping the event focused, and suggest they take detailed technical discussions offline.
The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team by ensuring the Daily Scrum is effective. When the event drifts, the best approach is to let the Developers self-manage during the event and then coach them afterward on keeping it focused. This preserves ownership while improving the team's ability to inspect and adapt their daily plan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Allow the discussion to continue, as the Developers are self-managing and the Scrum Master should not interfere.
Why it's wrong here
While self-management is a core principle, the Scrum Master is accountable for the effectiveness of the Daily Scrum. Allowing a lengthy technical discussion that excludes other Developers and drifts from the event's purpose is not effective facilitation. The Scrum Master should intervene to help the team refocus, not simply observe passively.
- ✓
After the Daily Scrum, coach the Developers on keeping the event focused, and suggest they take detailed technical discussions offline.
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate action because it respects the self-managing nature of the Developers while addressing the effectiveness of the Daily Scrum. The Scrum Master coaches the team after the event, helping them understand how to keep the Daily Scrum focused on progress toward the Sprint Goal and to take detailed technical discussions offline with only the interested parties.
- ✗
Interrupt the discussion and remind the Developers that the Daily Scrum is time-boxed to 15 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
Interrupting and reminding about the timebox may be appropriate if the discussion is truly derailing, but the Scrum Master should first consider whether the conversation is serving the purpose of the Daily Scrum. The timebox is important, but the Scrum Master's primary role is to ensure the event is effective, not to police time. A direct interruption could undermine self-management.
- ✗
Take over the Daily Scrum and facilitate it yourself to keep it on track.
Why it's wrong here
Taking over the Daily Scrum contradicts the principle that the Developers own the event. The Scrum Master's role is to teach, coach, and facilitate, not to commandeer the event. Doing so would undermine the team's self-management and could create dependency on the Scrum Master, which is counterproductive to Scrum's intended dynamics.
About these practice questions
This CSM question is part of Courseiva's 312-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.