CSM Service to the Scrum Team Practice Question
Exhibit
JSON_Policy: {
"team_dependency": "cross_team",
"blocker_status": "unresolved",
"duration_days": 12,
"action": "escalate_to_management"
}Refer to the exhibit. A Scrum Master notices this status report for a blocker affecting the team. What should be the Scrum Master's immediate response to serving the team?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates frequently select 'escalating to management' as the first step, failing to realize that a Scrum Master should first encourage the team to resolve external dependencies independently.
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
✓
Help the team reach out to the other involved team to facilitate a collaborative solution.
The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate the removal of blockers, especially those requiring external influence. Escalating to management is a last resort, as the Scrum Master should first try to resolve the dependency through direct communication between teams. By actively working to clear the path, the Scrum Master protects the team from organizational friction, allowing them to focus on delivering value without getting bogged down in external bureaucratic delays.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immediately send the escalation to upper management to clear the path.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation should be a last resort. The Scrum Master should first attempt to facilitate collaboration between the teams to resolve the dependency. Bypassing direct communication undermines the professional relationship between teams and may create unnecessary friction or defensive behavior from the other team involved in the dependency issue.
- ✓
Help the team reach out to the other involved team to facilitate a collaborative solution.
Why this is correct
Facilitating cross-team collaboration is a key responsibility. By helping the teams connect, the Scrum Master promotes transparency and shared problem-solving. This approach is more sustainable than escalation, as it builds bridges between teams and addresses the root cause of the dependency rather than just reporting the symptom to management.
- ✗
Document the delay in the Sprint backlog and adjust the Sprint Goal accordingly.
Why it's wrong here
Adjusting the goal without trying to solve the problem is premature. The Scrum Master must act as an advocate for the team to remove impediments. Simply documenting the failure ignores the active service required from a Scrum Master to help the team achieve their goals in the face of obstacles.
- ✗
Tell the Product Owner that the current Sprint is now a failure and should be cancelled.
Why it's wrong here
Canceling a Sprint is a drastic measure and should only be done if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. A single dependency is rarely a reason to scrap an entire Sprint. The Scrum Master's duty is to help the team overcome obstacles, not to prematurely call for a Sprint cancellation.
Visual reference
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.