CSM Service to the Organization Practice Question
Exhibit
{
"impediment_log": {
"id": "INC-402",
"status": "external",
"dependency": "Infrastructure Team",
"days_blocked": 12
}
}Refer to the exhibit. The Scrum Team is blocked by an external dependency for the second sprint in a row. What is the most effective action for the Scrum Master to take?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates frequently suggest the Scrum Master simply 'removes the impediment' by doing the work for the team or escalating to management, which fails to foster team autonomy and long-term resolution.
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
✓
Facilitate a meeting between the teams to establish a clearer service agreement.
The Scrum Master must act as a bridge between the Scrum Team and the rest of the organization to resolve systemic dependencies. By facilitating a collaboration session between the Scrum Team and the Infrastructure Team, the Scrum Master addresses the root cause of the delay. This action is vital because the Scrum Master is responsible for removing impediments that the team cannot resolve on its own, ensuring smooth product flow.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Instruct the Scrum Team to work on lower priority tasks while waiting.
Why it's wrong here
This approach ignores the impediment and does not resolve the systemic issue affecting the Product Backlog. By shifting focus, the team fails to deliver the highest value items, leading to missed goals. The Scrum Master should focus on clearing the path for the team's planned work instead of bypassing.
- ✗
Take over the tasks assigned to the Infrastructure Team to speed up delivery.
Why it's wrong here
A Scrum Master should not become a surrogate developer or take on technical tasks. This creates a dependency on the Scrum Master, hinders the team's self-organization, and ignores the long-term need for better cross-departmental coordination. The goal is to improve organizational processes, not to perform technical work personally.
- ✓
Facilitate a meeting between the teams to establish a clearer service agreement.
Why this is correct
Facilitating communication between the teams helps address the root cause of the dependency. By creating a clearer agreement or process for how requests are handled, the Scrum Master helps the organization improve its internal service level, which prevents recurring blocks and supports the team in achieving its Sprint Goal.
- ✗
Update the impediment log and wait for the Infrastructure Team to respond.
Why it's wrong here
Passive tracking of impediments does not constitute active removal. The Scrum Master must lead the effort to resolve external blockers. By waiting for the other team, you allow the negative impact on the Sprint to continue, which undermines the organization's commitment to supporting the Scrum Team's delivery cycle.
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.