A product owner with experience in a predictive approach wants the team to develop very detailed schedules and cost estimates for the next 10 sprints. What should the Scrum Master do?
Correct Answer: A
The correct answer is A - Suggest the product owner start by focusing on the next 2 sprints instead of 10. Agile embraces progressive elaboration - planning is done in detail only for the near term, while long-term plans remain high level and flexible. By encouraging short-term focus, the Scrum Master helps the product owner shift from a predictive mindset to an adaptive one. PMI Agile Practice Guide: "Agile projects plan at multiple levels (release, iteration, and daily), focusing on near-term commitments while allowing flexibility for change. Planning multiple sprints in detail violates the principle of adaptability." (PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 5.3 - Progressive Elaboration) Mike Griffiths adds: "Detailed long-term estimates reduce agility. The product owner should learn to prioritize work based on value, and accept that estimates beyond the next sprint or two are rough forecasts." (PMI-ACP Exam Prep, Chapter 5 - Adaptive Planning) Other options: * B undermines agile principles by reverting to waterfall planning. * C misuses the retrospective, which is team-focused. * D may alienate the product owner rather than encourage a mindset shift.
PMI-ACP Exam Question 47
A new agile team member notices that the team's current process involves excessive documentation. What should the new team member do?
Correct Answer: A
The correct answer is A - Teach the team the appropriate agile principle, obtain consensus, and drive adoption. Agile values "working software over comprehensive documentation." However, this does not mean eliminating all documentation, but rather focusing on documentation that delivers value. PMI Agile Practice Guide states: "Agile teams should regularly question whether the work being done adds value, including documentation. If documentation does not serve a current need or stakeholder, it should be minimized or eliminated." (PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 2.2 - Agile Manifesto) Mike Griffiths further supports this in his exam prep book: "Agile team members are encouraged to surface inefficiencies and suggest improvements. This is an example of continuous improvement and shared responsibility." Option A aligns with both the Agile Manifesto and the principle of team empowerment. Options B, C, and D either avoid accountability or introduce hierarchy that agile teams seek to minimize.
PMI-ACP Exam Question 48
An organization is using a predictive approach to managing projects. The executives like to see more deliverables in a short time and require that the milestones be achieved on time. What value can the organization gain by moving to an iterative approach?
Correct Answer: D
By moving to an iterative approach, the organization can focus more on delivering value and benefits incrementally, with each iteration producing a working product or a usable increment. This allows the team to receive feedback from stakeholders more frequently and make adjustments as needed, ensuring that the most valuable features are prioritized and delivered in atimely manner. Unlike a predictive approach, where the focus is often on completing tasks according to a strict plan, an iterative approach allows for flexibility and continuous improvement, ensuring the product better aligns with user needs and business objectives.
PMI-ACP Exam Question 49
What should the Scrum Master do?
Correct Answer: A
Thedaily stand-up (daily Scrum)is atime-boxed coordination meetingwhere each team member answers the three key questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers? According to thePMI Agile Practice Guide (Section 5.3: Daily Stand-ups)andScrum Guide, in-depth discussions should betaken offlineto avoid disrupting the stand-up's purpose. * Option Ais correct: deferring detailed conversations maintains stand-up focus. * Option Bmay derail the time-boxed meeting. * Option Coverreacts and undermines team self-management. * Option Dmight be appropriate later but not during the stand-up.
PMI-ACP Exam Question 50
During the iteration planning of a newly onboarded agile team, the product owner adds a set of high priority user stories into the iteration backlog. What should the team do first to define the tasks needed to implement the user stories?
Correct Answer: A
The correct answer is A - Self-organize. One of the fundamental principles of agile is that teams are self- organizing and cross-functional. During iteration planning, once the stories are accepted into the sprint, the team collaborates to break down those stories into tasks and assign work among themselves based on skills and interest. From the PMI Agile Practice Guide: "Agile teams are self-organizing, meaning they collectively decide how to accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others. This principle supports autonomy and trust, and enhances team ownership and commitment." (PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 4.3 - Team Performance) Mike Griffiths reinforces: "Agile teams are trusted to manage themselves. Once user stories are selected during iteration planning, the team decomposes stories into tasks and self-assigns work collaboratively." (Mike Griffiths, PMI-ACP Exam Prep, Chapter 4 - Team Performance) Incorrect options: * B contradicts agile principles of self-assignment and voluntary collaboration. * C may be valuable for clarification but is not the first action after stories are added. * D identifying the Scrum Master is irrelevant to the task breakdown phase.
