Certified Scrum Master Practice Test

What must the Product Owner have to fulfill their role effectively?

1. Authority and support

2. Power and bandwidth

3. Experience and knowledge

4. Time and resources

The correct answer is: Power and bandwidth

The role of the Product Owner in a Scrum team is pivotal to the success of the product. They serve as the primary point of contact for the stakeholders and the development team, ensuring that the vision and goals of the product are communicated and understood. Having power and bandwidth is essential for a Product Owner to prioritize effectively, make decisions, and maintain focus on delivering product value. Power entails the ability to make informed decisions regarding the product backlog, such as defining and prioritizing the items that align with business objectives. This ensures that team efforts are directed toward the most critical work that can yield the highest return on investment. Bandwidth refers to the capacity to manage the workload without being overwhelmed. This includes the ability to respond to feedback, re-evaluate priorities based on changing business conditions, and engage with stakeholders adequately. Without this power and sufficient bandwidth, the Product Owner may struggle to balance conflicting demands or provide the necessary direction to the Scrum team. In contrast, options regarding authority and support, experience and knowledge, or time and resources highlight important aspects of the role but do not capture the requisite capabilities for effective prioritization and decision-making directly associated with the Product Owner's responsibilities. For example, while authority is important, it is the power to drive decisions that is crucial