Who can abnormally terminate a Sprint?

Question

Options

• AThe Scrum Master
• BThe Development Team or its members.
• CThe Product Owner
• DThe Stakeholders

• A
  5% (1)
• B
  5% (1)
• C
  90% (19)

Explanation

Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint before its timebox ends - this is explicitly defined in the Scrum Guide, as the PO is accountable for maximizing value and owns the Product Backlog that drives the Sprint Goal. If the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete (e.g., due to market changes, company direction shifts, or a stakeholder decision), the PO can determine that continuing the Sprint would waste effort.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• (A) Scrum Master - facilitates and coaches the process but holds no authority to cancel a Sprint; they serve the team, not direct it.
• (B) Development Team/members - they execute the Sprint and can raise concerns, but cancellation authority does not rest with them.
• (D) Stakeholders - they have no direct Scrum authority; they influence through the PO, who acts as their representative.

Memory tip: Think "PO = Product Owner = Power Over the Sprint." Since the PO owns the vision and business value, they're the only one empowered to pull the plug when the Sprint Goal no longer makes sense.

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