CSM Service to the Scrum Team Practice Question
A team member is frequently late to the Daily Scrum, disrupting the flow of the meeting. How should the Scrum Master address this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often select options where the Scrum Master publicly disciplines the team member or enforces rules, which violates the self-managing nature of the Scrum Team.
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
✓
Speak privately with the team member to understand the reasons for their lateness and remind them of the importance of the event.
The Scrum Master's role is to support the team in maintaining their Scrum events, but they should avoid being a 'policing' figure. By coaching the team to recognize the impact of late arrivals, the Scrum Master empowers the team to solve the problem themselves. This ensures the resolution is accepted by the group and addresses the root cause of the behavior, fostering accountability and mutual respect within the team.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Speak privately with the team member to understand the reasons for their lateness and remind them of the importance of the event.
Why this is correct
A private conversation is the most professional way to address individual behavior without causing public embarrassment. By understanding the root cause, the Scrum Master can provide support or coaching. This maintains respect for the individual while ensuring they understand their responsibility to the team's collective efficiency and the Scrum process.
- ✗
Start the meeting exactly on time and do not allow the late member to speak.
Why it's wrong here
Punishing team members creates resentment and harms collaboration. The Daily Scrum is for the entire team; excluding members prevents them from coordinating effectively. The Scrum Master should focus on understanding the cause of the lateness rather than implementing exclusionary tactics that damage team cohesion and overall communication effectiveness.
- ✗
Publicly call out the team member during the Daily Scrum to enforce discipline.
Why it's wrong here
Public shaming is unprofessional and destroys psychological safety. It creates an environment of fear where people feel uncomfortable and defensive. The Scrum Master's role is to build a high-performing team based on trust, which is impossible if team members are humiliated in front of their peers during regular events.
- ✗
Reschedule the Daily Scrum to a time that is more convenient for the late member.
Why it's wrong here
The team should decide the best time for the Daily Scrum. If one person dictates the schedule, the team's needs are ignored. The Scrum Master should facilitate a team-led discussion about scheduling, ensuring that the final decision serves the majority and the overall effectiveness of the team's daily synchronization efforts.
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.