Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) Certification 2026 Latest
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions Scrum
Framework Review, Verified Answers, Detailed
Explanations, Success Workbook
1. Scrum is founded on which type of process control theory?
A) Defined process control
B) Empirical process control
C) Predictive process control
D) Waterfall process control
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Defined process control relies on predictable, repeatable
processes where every step is known in advance. This is not the foundation
of Scrum.
• B is correct: Scrum is grounded in empiricism, which asserts that
knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is
observed. Empirical process control relies on the three pillars of
transparency, inspection, and adaptation. (Correct Answer)
• C is incorrect: Predictive process control assumes that all variables can be
known in advance, which is the opposite of Scrum's adaptive approach.
• D is incorrect: Waterfall is a predictive, sequential approach, not the
foundation of Scrum.
2. What are the three pillars of empirical process control that uphold every
implementation of Scrum?
A) Planning, Executing, Reviewing
B) Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation
C) Commitment, Courage, Focus
D) Individuals, Interactions, Working Software
Rationale:
, • A is incorrect: These are general project phases, not the pillars of
empiricism in Scrum.
• B is correct: The three pillars of empirical process control
are Transparency (significant aspects of the process must be visible to
those responsible for the outcome), Inspection (Scrum users must frequently
inspect Scrum artifacts and progress toward a Sprint Goal to detect
undesirable variances), and Adaptation (if an inspector determines that one
or more aspects deviate outside acceptable limits, the process or the material
being processed must be adjusted). (Correct Answer)
• C is incorrect: These are Scrum values (Commitment, Courage, Focus), not
the pillars of empiricism.
• D is incorrect: These are values from the Agile Manifesto, not the pillars of
empirical process control.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the five Scrum values?
A) Commitment
B) Courage
C) Focus
D) Efficiency
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Commitment is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum
Team commits to achieving its goals and to supporting each other.
• B is incorrect: Courage is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum Team
has the courage to do the right thing and work on tough problems.
• C is incorrect: Focus is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum Team
focuses on the work of the Sprint and the goals of the Scrum Team.
• D is correct: Efficiency is NOT one of the five Scrum values. The five
Scrum values are Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and
Respect. (Correct Answer)
,4. According to the Agile Manifesto, which of the following is valued MORE
than comprehensive documentation?
A) Following a plan
B) Working software
C) Contract negotiation
D) Processes and tools
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "responding to change" over
"following a plan."
• B is correct: The Agile Manifesto states: "Working software over
comprehensive documentation." While documentation has value, the
Agile approach prioritizes delivering working, valuable software. (Correct
Answer)
• C is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "customer collaboration" over
"contract negotiation."
• D is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "individuals and interactions"
over "processes and tools."
5. In Scrum, who is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the
Scrum Guide?
A) The Product Owner
B) The Development Team
C) The Scrum Master
D) The entire Scrum Team collectively
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value
of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.
• B is incorrect: The Developers are accountable for creating a "Done"
Increment that meets the Sprint Goal.
• C is correct: The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as
defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand
, Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the
organization. (Correct Answer)
• D is incorrect: While the entire team lives Scrum, the Scrum Master holds
the specific accountability for establishing the framework.
6. What is the maximum time-box for a Sprint?
A) Two weeks
B) One month
C) One week
D) Three months
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Two weeks is a common Sprint length but not the maximum.
• B is correct: Sprints are time-boxed to one month or less. The maximum
duration is one calendar month.
• C is incorrect: One week is a common Sprint length but not the maximum.
• D is incorrect: Sprints cannot be three months long; they are fixed at one
month or less.
7. Which Scrum event is used to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product
Backlog?
A) Sprint Planning
B) Daily Scrum
C) Sprint Review
D) Sprint Retrospective
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Sprint Planning is used to define what can be delivered in
the upcoming Sprint and how that work will be achieved.
• B is incorrect: The Daily Scrum is used to inspect progress toward the
Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog.
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions Scrum
Framework Review, Verified Answers, Detailed
Explanations, Success Workbook
1. Scrum is founded on which type of process control theory?
A) Defined process control
B) Empirical process control
C) Predictive process control
D) Waterfall process control
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Defined process control relies on predictable, repeatable
processes where every step is known in advance. This is not the foundation
of Scrum.
• B is correct: Scrum is grounded in empiricism, which asserts that
knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is
observed. Empirical process control relies on the three pillars of
transparency, inspection, and adaptation. (Correct Answer)
• C is incorrect: Predictive process control assumes that all variables can be
known in advance, which is the opposite of Scrum's adaptive approach.
• D is incorrect: Waterfall is a predictive, sequential approach, not the
foundation of Scrum.
2. What are the three pillars of empirical process control that uphold every
implementation of Scrum?
A) Planning, Executing, Reviewing
B) Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation
C) Commitment, Courage, Focus
D) Individuals, Interactions, Working Software
Rationale:
, • A is incorrect: These are general project phases, not the pillars of
empiricism in Scrum.
• B is correct: The three pillars of empirical process control
are Transparency (significant aspects of the process must be visible to
those responsible for the outcome), Inspection (Scrum users must frequently
inspect Scrum artifacts and progress toward a Sprint Goal to detect
undesirable variances), and Adaptation (if an inspector determines that one
or more aspects deviate outside acceptable limits, the process or the material
being processed must be adjusted). (Correct Answer)
• C is incorrect: These are Scrum values (Commitment, Courage, Focus), not
the pillars of empiricism.
• D is incorrect: These are values from the Agile Manifesto, not the pillars of
empirical process control.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the five Scrum values?
A) Commitment
B) Courage
C) Focus
D) Efficiency
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Commitment is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum
Team commits to achieving its goals and to supporting each other.
• B is incorrect: Courage is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum Team
has the courage to do the right thing and work on tough problems.
• C is incorrect: Focus is one of the five Scrum values. The Scrum Team
focuses on the work of the Sprint and the goals of the Scrum Team.
• D is correct: Efficiency is NOT one of the five Scrum values. The five
Scrum values are Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and
Respect. (Correct Answer)
,4. According to the Agile Manifesto, which of the following is valued MORE
than comprehensive documentation?
A) Following a plan
B) Working software
C) Contract negotiation
D) Processes and tools
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "responding to change" over
"following a plan."
• B is correct: The Agile Manifesto states: "Working software over
comprehensive documentation." While documentation has value, the
Agile approach prioritizes delivering working, valuable software. (Correct
Answer)
• C is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "customer collaboration" over
"contract negotiation."
• D is incorrect: The Agile Manifesto values "individuals and interactions"
over "processes and tools."
5. In Scrum, who is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the
Scrum Guide?
A) The Product Owner
B) The Development Team
C) The Scrum Master
D) The entire Scrum Team collectively
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value
of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team.
• B is incorrect: The Developers are accountable for creating a "Done"
Increment that meets the Sprint Goal.
• C is correct: The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as
defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand
, Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the
organization. (Correct Answer)
• D is incorrect: While the entire team lives Scrum, the Scrum Master holds
the specific accountability for establishing the framework.
6. What is the maximum time-box for a Sprint?
A) Two weeks
B) One month
C) One week
D) Three months
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Two weeks is a common Sprint length but not the maximum.
• B is correct: Sprints are time-boxed to one month or less. The maximum
duration is one calendar month.
• C is incorrect: One week is a common Sprint length but not the maximum.
• D is incorrect: Sprints cannot be three months long; they are fixed at one
month or less.
7. Which Scrum event is used to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product
Backlog?
A) Sprint Planning
B) Daily Scrum
C) Sprint Review
D) Sprint Retrospective
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Sprint Planning is used to define what can be delivered in
the upcoming Sprint and how that work will be achieved.
• B is incorrect: The Daily Scrum is used to inspect progress toward the
Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog.
