Whether you are new to product ownership or looking to deepen your expertise, these tips will help you do well in the PSPO I assessment and become a proficient Scrum Product Owner.
As you prepare, remember it is not just about passing. The assessment is an excellent feedback and learning opportunity on your Scrum and Product Owner journey.
If you have not yet taken the PSM I, we recommend reading 10 powerful tips to pass the PSM I assessment first to solidify your Scrum fundamentals. It is the foundation for everything that follows.
Format
The PSPO I assessment follows this format:
- Number of questions: 80
- Time limit: 60 minutes
- Format: online, multiple choice
- Pass mark: 85%
Subject areas
The assessment covers:
- Understanding and applying the Scrum framework: empiricism, the Scrum Team, events, artefacts, Done.
- Developing people and teams: self-managing teams.
- Managing products with agility: forecasting and release planning, product vision, product value, Product Backlog management, business strategy, stakeholders and customers.
Tips to prepare
1. Read the Scrum Guide
A solid foundation of Scrum knowledge is essential. Read the Scrum Guide thoroughly, more than once, to understand its principles, accountabilities, events and artefacts. Refer back to it whenever you hit a challenging question in the exam.
2. Read the Evidence-Based Management guide
The Evidence-Based Management (EBM) guide shifts the focus to better metrics that measure value in any product development. It introduces the key value areas, which help you as a Product Owner make data-driven decisions and maximise the value of your product. Familiarise yourself with the EBM principles so you can align with the product's vision and strategic goals. To go deeper, our PAL-EBM course covers data-driven decision-making for Product Owners and leaders.
3. Attend a PSPO course
A Professional Scrum Product Owner course is a game-changing learning experience. You gain insight from experienced practitioners and deepen your understanding of product ownership. Attending is not mandatory, but it significantly strengthens your preparation.
4. Complete the Product Owner Open assessment
The Product Owner Open assessment is a useful way to gauge your understanding of Scrum and product ownership. Aim to score 100% repeatedly, at least five times in a row. It does not just give you a result. It explains the correct answers and why they are correct. Try the other Open assessments too, for different perspectives. They are all on the Scrum.org website.
5. Do further reading
Scrum.org publishes a suggested reading list for the Professional Scrum Product Owner. It offers valuable insight and depth to supplement your understanding.
Many previous students emphasise how much thorough study matters, even after attending the course. Before you sit the assessment, work through the Product Owner learning path and the suggested reading for PSPO I. The extra effort lets you approach the assessment with confidence.
Useful posts:
- Product Owners want a perfect Definition of Done. Here's why
- Too much stuff in your Product Backlog?
- Giving back: considerations for a new Product Owner
- Technical debt: the silent threat
- Exploring the pros and cons of component vs feature teams
Tips for the assessment itself
6. Embrace being value-driven
Focus on delivering maximum value to stakeholders and end users. Continuously assess and order the Product Backlog by the value each item brings to the product and the organisation. Align product development with the organisation's goals to optimise return on investment and create a successful product.
7. Grasp the importance of empiricism and the Definition of Done
Base decisions on observed experience and real data. The Definition of Done sets clear criteria for completed work, giving the Scrum Team transparency and a shared understanding. It lets you make informed decisions and plan future releases on predictable Increments of consistent quality.
8. Understand the 3 Vs: vision, value and validation
Maintain a compelling product vision aligned with the organisation's goals. Deliver continuous value by understanding customer needs, and validate the product's success through feedback and data. The 3 Vs are the guiding principles that steer a product towards success.
9. Grasp effective Product Backlog management
Keep the Product Backlog organised and transparent. Order items by value and refine them regularly so they are clear and actionable. A well-managed Product Backlog is the tool for effective collaboration within the Scrum Team and with stakeholders.
10. Embrace product development as a strategic and tactical team sport
Product development in Scrum is a collaborative effort by the whole Scrum Team, including you as the Product Owner. Work closely with the Developers, the Scrum Master and stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the product's vision and goals.
Level up your product ownership expertise: recommended books
- Scrum: A Pocket Guide by Gunther Verheyen
- The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage
- Impact Mapping by Gojko Adzic
- User Story Mapping by Jeff Patton
Final remarks
For any Scrum.org assessment, remember:
- Read the questions carefully. Watch for negatives such as NOT.
- Select the correct number of answers. Square boxes mean more than one answer is needed.
- Manage your time. Do not search online, there is no time. Bookmark uncertain answers and come back to them.
- Stay composed. If a question is hard, stay calm, bookmark it for later if needed, and trust your preparation.
Use these ten tips to prepare effectively and improve your chances of passing the PSPO I. Focus on product ownership, understand the Product Backlog, manage your time, read every question carefully and take the open assessments. Good luck.
To prepare with us, our Professional Scrum Product Owner course is the place to start.
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Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
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