HKSM
The Daily Standup
In the Daily Standup led by the Scrum Master, every team member briefly reports three items: what they completed since the previous meeting, what they intend to do before the next one, and any blockers they face. The event is strictly time-boxed; when work is not finished within a time-box, it is carried forward to a later time-box. Time-boxing adds discipline and predictability to Scrum initiatives that are uncertain and change frequently.
Key Points
- What have I done since the last meeting?
- What do I plan to do before the next meeting?
- What impediments or obstacles (if any) am I currently facing?
- Events and work are time-boxed; unfinished work at the end of a time-box moves to a subsequent time-box, providing structure for dynamic Scrum projects.
Example
At a 15-minute Daily Standup, a developer says: Since yesterday I completed the API tests; before tomorrow I plan to integrate authentication; I am blocked by missing test data. The Scrum Master notes the impediment and schedules a follow-up after the standup. A task that remains unfinished at the end of the sprint time-box is moved forward and re-planned in the next sprint.
PMP Example Question
What is the primary reason the Daily Standup is time-boxed while each team member answers the three standard questions?
- To keep the event short and focused on coordination, pushing detailed problem-solving to follow-ups.
- To ensure all tasks are completed within 24 hours of being started.
- To give the Product Owner time to reprioritize the entire backlog during the meeting.
- To capture detailed technical designs for upcoming work.
Correct Answer: A — Keep the standup brief and focused on coordination
Explanation: Time-boxing enforces a short, predictable meeting focused on sharing progress, plans, and impediments; deeper discussions happen outside the standup.
