Which of the following is a key responsibility of the Scrum Master during the initial introduction of Scrum?

The key responsibility of the Scrum Master during the initial introduction of Scrum is to guide the team through their first few Sprints. This role is crucial because it involves helping the team understand and implement Scrum practices effectively. The Scrum Master facilitates the team's understanding of Agile principles, supports them in self-organization, and ensures they adhere to Scrum events and artifacts.

During the initial Sprints, teams often face challenges as they adjust to the Scrum framework. The Scrum Master plays a vital role in coaching the team, helping them navigate obstacles, and fostering a collaborative environment. This guidance is essential for the team to develop their processes, refine their roles, and become more effective in delivering value.

In contrast, defining the product backlog is primarily the responsibility of the Product Owner, who is focused on maximizing the value of the product and ensuring the team is working on the most important tasks. Setting strict deadlines contradicts the Agile philosophy of flexibility and responsiveness and is not a role of the Scrum Master. Additionally, managing performance metrics can lead to a focus on individual performance rather than team collaboration, which is not aligned with the objectives of a Scrum Master in fostering teamwork and self-management.