What approach should the Scrum Master suggest to Lee to improve the team’s visibility into his work?

A. Have Lee discuss his progress in the context of the Iteration goals

B. Tell Lee to break his Stories into tasks so he can show progress at every daily stand-up

C. Assign another team member to assist Lee to find out why Lee isn’t making progress

D. Tell Lee he should work on a different story

Correct Answer is

B. Tell Lee to break his Stories into tasks so he can show progress at every daily stand-up

Explanation

The approach that the Scrum Master should suggest to Lee to improve the team’s visibility into his work is: Tell Lee to break his Stories into tasks so he can show progress at every daily stand-up.

Here’s why this is the most effective approach

• Have Lee discuss his progress in the context of the Iteration goals: While discussing progress in the context of Iteration goals is valuable, it doesn’t address the immediate issue of providing a clear, day-to-day visibility of what Lee is accomplishing. This approach could be part of a broader strategy but doesn’t offer the granularity needed for daily updates.


• Tell Lee to break his Stories into tasks so he can show progress at every daily stand-up: This is a practical and actionable suggestion. By breaking down Stories into smaller, more manageable tasks, Lee can provide specific updates on what he has accomplished each day, which tasks are in progress, and what he plans to tackle next. This not only increases transparency but also helps in identifying potential bottlenecks or areas where Lee might need assistance.


• Assign another team member to assist Lee to find out why Lee isn’t making progress: This approach assumes that Lee isn’t making progress, which might not be the case. Lee’s updates suggest a consistent focus on the task at hand, not necessarily a lack of progress. Moreover, it could be more beneficial to address visibility and reporting methods before concluding that Lee needs assistance with his work.


• Tell Lee he should work on a different story: Without evidence of a lack of progress or an impediment specific to the current story, suggesting Lee switch to a different story doesn’t directly address the issue of improving visibility in his daily work. Additionally, this could disrupt the workflow and priorities established for the iteration.

By breaking down larger Stories into more detailed tasks, Lee can offer more precise updates at each stand-up, contributing to better team communication and collaboration. This practice enables the team to see progress, understand where help might be needed, and celebrate completed tasks, fostering a more transparent and cohesive team environment.

Other SAFe Scrum Master Question – What is the output of an Inspect and Adapt event?