What action should be taken if the Product Owner is unavailable?

When the Product Owner is unavailable, the most effective action is to make the best decisions to progress toward the Sprint Goal. This choice recognizes the importance of maintaining momentum and the focus on delivering value, even in the absence of the Product Owner.

The Scrum framework emphasizes that the development team is empowered to act within defined boundaries. When the Product Owner is not available, the team should utilize their knowledge and expertise to make informed decisions that align with the overall vision and objectives outlined in the Product Backlog and Sprint Goal. It is crucial for the team to remain adaptive and continue making progress to avoid disrupting the flow of work.

This approach enables the team to remain productive and agile, ensuring that they stay aligned with customer needs and continuing to deliver increments of value, even if the Product Owner cannot be consulted at that moment. The emphasis here is on maintaining forward momentum while still respecting the role of the Product Owner when they are available.