Question 4 - SPS discussion

The Nexus framework is a way of scaling Scrum for multiple teams working on a single product. The Nexus framework uses Scrum as its building block and extends it only where necessary to minimize and manage dependencies between teams 11. The Nexus framework defines the accountabilities, events, and artifacts that bind and weave together the work of the teams in a Nexus 11. One of the key artifacts in the Nexus framework is the Integrated Increment, which is the integrated aggregation of all work completed by all the Scrum Teams in a Nexus 11.

In Scenario A, the Nexus Sprint Review is not conducted effectively. The teams are not using a shared environment to demonstrate the Integrated Increment, but rather showing their individual work. This means that the stakeholders cannot see the whole product and how it works together. The teams are also delaying the integration of their work, which can lead to quality issues, technical debt, and increased complexity 11. The stakeholders do not provide much feedback, which means that the Nexus cannot adapt to the changing needs and expectations of the customers and users. The event ends without any clear outcomes or next steps.

What could help this Nexus create a single Integrated Increment for inspection at the Nexus Sprint Review is:

Enforce a Definition of Done across the entire Nexus that includes integration. This is answer B. This is a valid answer because the Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product 11. The Definition of Done is used to assess when work is complete on the product Increment 11. The Definition of Done is defined by the Nexus and applies to all the work done by the Scrum Teams in the Nexus 11. The Definition of Done should include integration as one of the criteria, which means that the work done by the teams should be integrated frequently and continuously throughout the Sprint 11. By enforcing a Definition of Done that includes integration, the Nexus can ensure that the Integrated Increment is usable and potentially releasable, which means it meets the quality standards and expectations of the stakeholders 11.

The other three answers are not correct because:

Reserve the last few days of the Sprint for testing and integration. This is answer A. This is not a valid answer because reserving the last few days of the Sprint for testing and integration is not a good practice. It implies that the teams are not testing and integrating their work throughout the Sprint, but rather doing it at the end of the Sprint. This can lead to quality issues, technical debt, and increased complexity 11. It also reduces the time available for inspection and adaptation, which are essential for empiricism and agility 11.

Have the Nexus Integration Team integrate all the work as early as possible. This is answer C. This is not a valid answer because the Nexus Integration Team is not the only one responsible for integrating all the work. The Nexus Integration Team is a role that consists of the Scrum Master, the Product Owner, and other members who are responsible for coordinating, coaching, and supervising the integration of the work done by the teams in the Nexus 11. The Nexus Integration Team facilitates the integration of the work, but does not do it for the teams 11. The teams are responsible for integrating their own work and delivering a potentially releasable Increment of product value in each Sprint 11.

Have a Sprint dedicated to integration. This is answer D. This is not a valid answer because having a Sprint dedicated to integration is not consistent with Scrum or Nexus. Scrum and Nexus require that the teams deliver a potentially releasable Increment of product value in each Sprint 11. Having a Sprint dedicated to integration means that the teams are not delivering any value or receiving any feedback in that Sprint 11. It also means that the teams are accumulating technical debt and complexity that will make integration more difficult and risky 11.