CSM Service to the Product Owner Practice Question
The Product Owner frequently changes the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint, causing the Developers to miss their Sprint Goal. How should the Scrum Master address this with the Product Owner?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the Sprint Backlog with the Product Backlog, incorrectly believing that the Product Owner has the authority to change the Sprint Backlog mid-sprint.
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 the impact of changing scope on team focus and Sprint Goals.
The Scrum Master must protect the Sprint from scope creep while supporting the Product Owner. By explaining that the Sprint Backlog is stable to allow the team to focus, the Scrum Master fosters a sustainable environment. Addressing this helps the Product Owner understand that changing the work mid-sprint undermines team commitment and delivery predictability. This balance ensures the Product Owner understands the trade-off between responsiveness and team stability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Explain that the Sprint Backlog is locked and cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Why it's wrong here
While stability is crucial, Scrum recognizes that scope may be clarified during the Sprint. Absolute prohibition ignores the reality of complex work where learning occurs. The conversation should instead focus on the impact to the Sprint Goal and the agreement between the Product Owner and Developers regarding current work commitments.
- ✓
Coach the Product Owner on the impact of changing scope on team focus and Sprint Goals.
Why this is correct
Effective coaching involves helping the Product Owner understand the negative impact of interruptions on the team's ability to achieve the Sprint Goal. By discussing the relationship between stability and predictability, the Scrum Master helps the Product Owner make better decisions about when to introduce new work versus waiting for the next Sprint.
- ✗
Request that the Developers work longer hours to accommodate the new requests.
Why it's wrong here
Suggesting longer hours is an anti-pattern that leads to burnout and decreased quality. The Scrum Master's role is to support sustainable development practices, not to encourage overwork to compensate for poor scope management. This approach fails to address the underlying issue of why the Sprint Backlog is being changed.
- ✗
Update the Definition of Done to include more flexible testing cycles.
Why it's wrong here
The Definition of Done relates to the quality standard of increments, not the management of Sprint scope. Changing quality standards to accommodate scope changes is an unethical practice that compromises the integrity of the product. The Scrum Master must ensure the team maintains high standards regardless of the volatility of requests.
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.