Certified Scrum Master Practice Test

In Scrum, who determines the release dates?

1. Scrum Master

2. Development Team

3. Product Owner

4. Stakeholder Committee

The correct answer is: Product Owner

In Scrum, the Product Owner is primarily responsible for determining the release dates. This role involves prioritizing the product backlog and ensuring that the team is focusing on delivering the highest value items to the customer. The Product Owner works closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, which informs decisions on release planning. By managing stakeholder expectations and aligning them with the team's capabilities, the Product Owner helps to set realistic release dates that balance the product's development timeline with the business goals. This collaborative approach ensures that the released product meets the needs of the users and aligns with the organization's objectives. The emphasis on the Product Owner's role in determining release dates stems from their unique position in both the business side, where they represent the stakeholders and their wishes, and the development side, where they understand what is technically feasible. This dual perspective enables them to make informed decisions about when to release features or products.