CSM Service to the Scrum Team Practice Question
A Scrum Team is struggling to finish their work during every Sprint because they frequently accept new requests from stakeholders mid-Sprint. How should the Scrum Master best support the team in this situation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates mistakenly choose answers where the Scrum Master directly confronts stakeholders or changes the sprint scope, bypassing the Product Owner.
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 their role in managing stakeholder expectations and protecting the team from scope creep.
The Scrum Master facilitates the protection of the Sprint Backlog by coaching stakeholders and the Product Owner on the impact of scope creep. By ensuring the team's capacity is respected, the Scrum Master fosters a sustainable development pace. This intervention is critical because the team's ability to achieve the Sprint Goal depends on maintaining focus and avoiding unnecessary distractions that undermine the integrity of the Sprint agreement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Direct the team to accept the changes but adjust the Sprint end date to accommodate the extra work.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the Sprint end date violates the timebox principle, which is fundamental to Scrum. Timeboxing provides a predictable rhythm for inspection and adaptation. Modifying the duration disrupts the cadence and undermines the team's ability to plan effectively, leading to inconsistent velocity and potential loss of team focus.
- ✗
Ask the Product Owner to stop attending the Daily Scrum to minimize stakeholder interruption.
Why it's wrong here
The Product Owner is a member of the Scrum Team and has a critical role in the Daily Scrum to address impediments or clarify requirements. Excluding them prevents essential collaboration and alignment. The Scrum Master should coach the Product Owner on boundaries rather than removing them from necessary ceremonies.
- ✓
Coach the Product Owner on their role in managing stakeholder expectations and protecting the team from scope creep.
Why this is correct
The Product Owner is responsible for the Product Backlog and stakeholder communication. Coaching them to say 'no' or defer requests to future Sprints empowers the team to focus on the Sprint Goal. This supports the team's self-management and ensures that the work remains within the agreed-upon capacity.
- ✗
Ask the developers to work overtime to ensure both original and new requests are completed.
Why it's wrong here
Scrum promotes a sustainable pace, and mandating overtime is contrary to agile values. Forcing the team to work longer hours leads to burnout and decreases long-term quality and productivity. The Scrum Master should focus on removing process impediments rather than pressuring the team to work beyond their capacity.
About these practice questions
One of 312 original CSM practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.