What role do stakeholders play in Scrum?

Stakeholders in Scrum play a crucial role by providing input, feedback, and validation throughout the development process. Their involvement ensures that the product being developed aligns with the needs and expectations of users and customers. This collaborative interaction helps the Scrum Team understand the requirements and priorities of those who will ultimately use the product, allowing for a more effective delivery that meets market demands. By engaging with stakeholders regularly, such as during Sprint Reviews, the team can incorporate insights, address concerns, and adapt their work based on real-world feedback, which is vital for delivering a successful product.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the role of stakeholders within the Scrum framework. While funding is essential to project management, it does not define the primary contributions stakeholders make in terms of product development and iteration. Stakeholders do not serve as the Scrum Master, a role that is specifically designated to facilitate the Scrum process and support the Scrum Team. Additionally, stakeholders are not backups for the Scrum Team; rather, they have a distinct role that focuses on ensuring that the development aligns with user and customer needs.