Certified Scrum Master Practice Test

Who is responsible for determining estimates in Scrum?

1. The ScrumMaster

2. The Product Owner

3. The Developers

4. External stakeholders

The correct answer is: The Developers

In Scrum, it is the Developers who are responsible for determining estimates. This responsibility stems from the fact that the Developers have the best understanding of the technical aspects of the work and the complexities involved in delivering the product increments. Their expertise allows them to provide informed estimates based on their knowledge of the tasks required, the effort needed, and any potential risks. Estimations are crucial for sprint planning, as they help the team assess how much work can be realistically accomplished in a given sprint. The Developers collaborate during the sprint planning meetings to provide their insights and agree on the estimated effort for each item in the Product Backlog. This collaborative approach ensures that the estimates reflect a shared commitment and understanding of the work. The other roles, such as the ScrumMaster and the Product Owner, support the process and facilitate the team’s work but are not directly responsible for providing the estimates. External stakeholders may influence priorities and provide input on requirements, but they do not partake in estimating the complexities of the work itself.