Agile Scrum Interview Questions for Technical Interview Prep

The Agile Scrum methodology is primarily used in software development, but it is also useful in sales, research, marketing, and advanced technologies. Most organizations use it for project management and productivity enhancement. Recruiters seek candidates who are well-versed in the Scrum framework and Agile methodologies. As a result, Agile Scrum interview questions can play an important role in technical interviews.

In this article, we'll go over the top Agile Scrum interview questions and answers to help you ace your tech interview. You can go over these questions if you're applying for jobs as a Software Engineer, Software Developer, or Engineering Manager at a FAANG company.

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In this article, we’ll cover:

• Top Agile Scrum Interview Questions and Answers
• Sample Agile Scrum Methodology Interview Questions
• FAQs on Agile Scrum Interview Questions

Top Agile Scrum Interview Questions and Answers

Here are the most frequently asked Agile Scrum interview questions for testers. A few of these questions are also based on Agile Scrum methodology. Go through these interview questions to ace your technical interview.

Q1. List the similarities and differences between Agile and Scrum.

This is one of the most common Agile Scrum interview questions. Here’s how you can answer this question:

The similarity between Agile and Scrum:

We know that Scrum is an Agile development methodology. They have the same goals and objectives. But, in Scrum, we have a more specific way to achieve these goals. Both have collaborative iterations and work on creating a flexible working environment. Both of them are incremental and iterative.

The difference between Agile and Scrum:

• Agile is a methodology for software and project management, whereas Scrum is a form of Agile and describes its process.    
• Agile best works for projects involving a small team of experts, whereas Scrum works best for projects that require constant problem solving as per the fluctuations in the requirements.
• Agile is a long-term process and requires simple design and execution. In comparison, Scrum is a slow-term process involving innovation in design and its implementation.
• In Agile, all tasks are handled and managed by the project head. Whereas in Scrum, all the tasks and issues are governed by the whole team.

Q2. What are the key components of Agile?

The key components of Agile are:

• Daily Stand-up Meet
• TDD (Test-Driven Development)
• Timeboxed Task Boards
• CRC (Class Responsibility Collaborator) Cards
• Iteration Planning
• Iterative Development
• Continuous Integration
• Code Reviews
• Continuous Deployment and Delivery

Q3. What are Agile testing and its principles?

This is a common Agile Scrum interview question asked in tech interviews. Agile testing is a process of testing software for any errors, defects, or other faults. The testers do it to identify problems in the early stage and resolve them for the smooth progress of the project. Both testers and developers come together and work as a team. It ensures high quality of overall performance.

Mentioned below are the major principles of Agile testing:

• Fulfilling the needs of the clients
• Communication amongst the team members
• Works on sustainable development
• Quick response to any change in the requirements
• Feedback from clients and the engineering manager
• Successive improvement of the project
• Motivates the team members to be self-organized
• Focuses on the collective work of the team members

Q4. What qualities should an excellent Agile Tester possess?

This Agile Scrum interview question for testers frequently appears in tech interviews. The professional who executes Agile software development principles for software testing is known as Agile Tester. The major skills of a competent Agile tester are:

• They should know all the concepts and principles of Agile.
• They should be capable of understanding the requirements.
• They should have excellent communication skills.
• They should have the ability to arrange tasks as per their priorities.

Q5. List different types of methodologies in Agile.

There are different types of methodologies used in Agile for software development and project development. These are:

• Scrum
• FDD (Feature-Driven Development)
• Lean Software Development
• XP (Extreme Programming)
• DSDM (Dynamic Software Development Method)
• ASD (Adaptive System Development)
• Crystal Methodology
• Kanban

Q6. What are the differences between Agile Software Development and Traditional Software Development?

To answer this Agile Scrum interview question, you should know the differences between Agile Software Development (ASD) and Traditional Software Development (TSD). They are:

• ASD focuses on teamwork, flexibility, and features, whereas TSD focuses on planning and factors like cost and time.
• In ASD, testing is done simultaneously with the development activity, whereas in TSD, testing completes after the development activity.
• In ASD, small features undergo testing, whereas, in TSD, the whole application undergoes testing.
• In ASD, testers work with developers as a team, whereas TSD testers and developers work separately to achieve the goal.
• ASD is more flexible as compared to TSD.
• ASD collaborates with its customers at every step, whereas TSD collaborates only at the requirement phase.

Q7. What is meant by Velocity in the Agile framework?

Velocity calculates the amount of work an Agile development team can complete in one sprint. It measures the time required to finish a project and helps the teams create accurate and efficient timelines. In addition, it helps in identifying problems and measuring the improvements that occur with time.

Q8. What is Spike and Zero sprint in the Agile framework?

Zero sprints: It is the devising step for the first sprint in the Agile framework. The activities that are done before the project kickstarts are Zero Sprints. These may include setting the environment for development, preparing backlogs, writing a code, and more.

Spike: Spike is a method for product development. It uses the simplest program to explore potential solutions. It determines how much work will be required to solve research, design, and prototype issues. Spikes are of two types - Functional spikes and Technical spikes.

This, too, is a standard Agile Scrum interview question asked in tech interviews.

Q9. What is Daily Stand-up?

It refers to the daily meetings held between all the Agile team members. It helps to know the progress of the project and evaluate the performance of every team member working on the Scrum tasks. All product owners, developers, and the Scrum master are present in the forum.

Q10. Define Agile Manifesto and its values and principles?

The Agile Manifesto is basically a document created in 2001. It includes four values and twelve key principles. Agile Manifesto is specially designed to improve development methodologies. It helps the development team to work more efficiently with a clear and measurable structure that encourages iterative development, team collaboration, etc.

The 4 Agile Values:  

• Working software should be demonstrated on a regular basis.
• Individuals and interaction should be encouraged, as should self-organization and self-motivation.
• Collaboration with customers
• Accepting change at any point in the project.

The 12 Agile Principles:

• Customer Satisfaction
• Welcome Change
• Deliver Frequently
• Work Together
• Motivated Team
• Face-to-Face
• Working Software
• Constant Pace
• Good Design
• Simplicity
• Self-Organization
• Reflect and Adjust

Q11. List the risks involved in Scrum.

While answering Agile Scrum interview questions, it’s important to know the risks involved in Scrum. They are:

• The risks related to exceeding the budgets.
• The risk related to the skill and capabilities of the team members.
• The risk of exceeding the duration of work.
• The risks of not having complete information about user stories and epics.
• The risk of not having proper resources.

Q12. What do you mean by Scrumban?

A Scrumban is an Agile framework. It is the combination of two methodologies of Agile, namely Scrum and Kanban. This methodology is brought for the teams to minimize the batching of work. It also helps the team to adopt a pull-based system. For the companies who want to move from Scrum to Kanban, Scrumban is the solution.

Q13. What do you mean by product backlog?

A product backlog is a list of tasks in the project. It comprises all the activities required for the smooth functioning of the project and completion of the project in the given time duration.

Q14. What is the difference between the Product and Sprint Backlog?

This is a common Agile Scrum interview question. The differences between Product and Sprint are:

• Product Backlog (PB) lists all the items that need completion for the product development, whereas Sprint Backlog (SB) lists those items to be completed during one sprint.
• PB is collected by the product owner from the customer and assigned to the team. In comparison, SB is taken by the team from the product owner. They set a time duration to complete it.
• PB works on a specific goal, whereas sprint works on a specific sprint.
• PB is maintained by the product owner till the completion of the project, whereas SB is maintained by the team.

Q15. List the best Scrum tools in project management.

Best Scrum Tools in project management are:

• Jira
• nTask
• ClickUp
• Target process
• Yodiz
• VivifyScrum

Q16. Who has the main role in the Scrum project?

This makes for one of the most important Agile Scrum interview questions. It tests your knowledge of the Scrum framework.

There are three major Scrum roles, namely Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Scrum Team.

• Scrum Team: A Scrum team involves a group of people who manage the project. This team is led by an individual who assigns the tasks and maintains a smooth workflow.
• Scrum Master: A master is the tech lead who ensures the execution of the given tasks on time and checks the working of the Scrum team.
• Product Owner: The product owner is the source of information. This person has the whole idea of what to build and is responsible for conveying this idea to the Scrum Master.

Q17. Define Scrum of Scrums.

The project consists of various teams working together to meet the final goal. Every team conducts their daily standup meetings among the team members every morning. In the Scrum of Scrums, all of these teams discuss the progress and changes. Their ambassador represents each team. For example, if ten teams are working on a project, each team leads their own Scrum meeting. Now to coordinate amongst various teams, a Scrum of Scrums takes place.

Q18. List the Agile quality strategies.

The major Agile quality strategies used in the Agile framework are:

• Refactoring
• Iterations
• Small feedback cycles
• Dynamic code analysis

Q19. Which project management tools are used in Agile?

Project Management Tools used in Agile:

• ActiveCollab
• Jira Agile
• Pivotal Tracker
• Trello
• Axosoft
• Version one
• X-planner

Q20. What is the Scrum cycle? How long does it last?

A Scrum sprint cycle is the duration of time in which the team needs to deliver the set amount of work. It depends on the project and team size. It usually takes up to 2-4 weeks to complete. The next sprint starts as soon as the previous one is completed.

Take a look at the top Scrum Master Interview Questions for freshers, intermediate, and experienced candidates.

Sample Agile Scrum Methodology Interview Questions

These are some additional Agile Scrum Methodology interview questions for you to practice. Finding solutions to these interview questions will improve your problem-solving skills.

1. What are the dissimilarities between Agile and traditional working?
2. Explain why Scrum encourages the use of automated testing for projects?
3. What are your responsibilities as Scrum Project Manager?
4. Mention responsibilities of a Scrum Master?
5. Explain refactoring in Agile Scrum.
6. Explain Pair Programming and its advantages.
7. What are the different types of Burndown charts?
8. Explain the Planning Poker technique
9. Explain the main artifacts of Scrum Framework
10. What is TimeBoxing in Scrum?

Practicing these popular Agile Scrum interview questions will help you improve your fundamentals and ace your coding interview. You can also practice mock interviews on Agile and Scrum to better prepare.

FAQs on Agile Scrum Interview Questions

Q1. Who is a Scrum Master?

A Scrum Master is a professional who supports and promotes Scrum. As a leader, Scrum Master has to ensure that everyone understands the Scrum theory, practices, values, and rules. They hold the Scrum framework together and ensure that the Scrum team understands the scope and goals clearly.

Q2. What are job profiles in Agile and Scrum?

You can apply for various job profiles in Agile and Scrum, including Agile Scrum Master, Agile Project Manager, Scrum Master, Senior Scrum Master, Product Manager, Product Owner, and Scrum Coach.

Q3. What are some Agile Scrum interview questions?

The standard Agile Scrum interview questions are based on topics like how Agile can be implemented, various Agile methodologies, Scrum concepts like velocity, sprint burndown, and more.

Q4. How do you define Agile Scrum methodology in an interview?

Agile Scrum methodology is used to manage software and projects. It is simply a variant of Agile that completely describes the steps and process of project or software management.

Q5. What are the three roles in Scrum?

This is a commonly asked Agile Scrum interview question. The three roles of Scrum are Scrum Master, product owner, and development team members.

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