Developers
Part of the Scrum Guide chapter index. Read the canonical version inline in the app: Developers on app.prettyscrum.org.
Why this chapter matters for the PSM I exam
“Developers” is the Scrum Guide’s term for anyone in the Scrum Team committed to creating any aspect of the Increment — programmers, designers, writers, scientists, anyone. The exam tests whether you understand the Developers self-manage and own the Sprint Backlog.
The Scrum Guide text
Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint.
The specific skills needed by the Developers are often broad and will vary with the domain of work. However, the Developers are always accountable for:
- Creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog;
- Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done;
- Adapting their plan each day toward the Sprint Goal;
- and, Holding each other accountable as professionals.
Source: 2020 Scrum Guide by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, © CC BY-SA 4.0. License.
Key points to remember
- Developers create the Sprint Backlog and decide how to do the work.
- They self-manage — nobody assigns work to them.
- They are accountable for adhering to the Definition of Done.
- They hold each other accountable as professionals.
- The term covers anyone creating any aspect of the Increment, not just programmers.
Common exam trap
A frequent wrong answer: “the Scrum Master assigns work to Developers.” False. Developers self-manage and decide who does what.
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Related chapters
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Author: Maurice Heinze (PSM I, certified by Scrum.org). Last updated: 2026-05-04. Scrum Guide content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.