CSM Service to the Scrum Team Practice Question
A team is transitioning to Scrum and struggling with self-management. Which THREE strategies should the Scrum Master employ to support them?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often select options that involve the Scrum Master assigning roles or dictating the process, which is the opposite of fostering self-management and team autonomy.
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 team on how to manage their own tasks and support each other in achieving the Sprint Goal.
The Scrum Master serves the team by gradually shifting the responsibility of task management and process improvement to the developers. By coaching, facilitating, and providing a safe space for experimentation, the Scrum Master helps the team build confidence and competence. This transition is essential for the team to move from being told what to do to becoming an autonomous unit capable of delivering high-value, high-quality work.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Assign tasks to each team member at the start of every day to ensure work is completed.
Why it's wrong here
Assigning work is a command-and-control behavior that prevents self-management. The team should decide how to pull work from the Sprint Backlog. If the Scrum Master does the assigning, the team never learns to organize themselves, which is a fundamental requirement for the effectiveness of a Scrum Team.
- ✓
Coach the team on how to manage their own tasks and support each other in achieving the Sprint Goal.
Why this is correct
Focusing on coaching rather than directing is the hallmark of an effective Scrum Master. When the team learns to manage their own workflow, they become more agile and resilient. Supporting each other helps build team cohesion and ensures the shared commitment to the Sprint Goal is met effectively.
- ✓
Facilitate open discussions about team roadblocks and encourage them to propose their own solutions.
Why this is correct
Facilitating self-discovery is crucial for team maturity. By having the team propose their own solutions to roadblocks, they gain confidence and develop the necessary skills to solve future problems independently. This builds a foundation for long-term success where the team doesn't rely on the Scrum Master for every decision.
- ✗
Create a rigid checklist of steps for them to follow until they become more experienced.
Why it's wrong here
Checklists often turn Scrum into a 'process-by-the-book' exercise that lacks agility. While small guides are fine, a rigid process hinders self-management. The Scrum Master should help the team understand the *intent* of Scrum, rather than just following a set of rules, to foster true self-organization and growth.
- ✓
Encourage experimentation with different ways of working and support the team during failures.
Why this is correct
Empiricism requires testing hypotheses through experimentation. By creating a safe environment where failure is treated as a learning opportunity, the Scrum Master encourages the team to innovate. This is essential for finding the right way of working, leading to a team that is not only self-managing but also continuously improving.
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.