CAPM Agile & Hybrid Methodologies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Agile scaling framework uses 'Trains' as a metaphor and organizes multiple Agile teams to deliver larger solutions?
- LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum)
- SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) (Correct answer)
- Nexus
- Spotify Model
Correct answer: SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)
SAFe uses the Agile Release Train (ART) metaphor to synchronize multiple Agile teams delivering larger, integrated solutions.
Question 2: A stakeholder demands detailed upfront documentation before any development begins on an Agile project. How should the project manager BEST respond?
- Comply fully and produce all documentation before starting
- Explain how Agile delivers working software iteratively with 'just enough' documentation (Correct answer)
- Cancel the Agile approach and switch to waterfall
- Ignore the stakeholder's request and proceed with Agile as planned
Correct answer: Explain how Agile delivers working software iteratively with 'just enough' documentation
The Agile Manifesto values working software over comprehensive documentation, so the PM should educate stakeholders on iterative delivery and 'just enough' documentation.
Question 3: What is a 'spike' in Agile project management?
- A sudden increase in team velocity
- A time-boxed research or investigation task to reduce uncertainty (Correct answer)
- A stakeholder escalation process
- An emergency Sprint added to fix critical defects
Correct answer: A time-boxed research or investigation task to reduce uncertainty
A spike is a time-boxed effort dedicated to researching a problem or exploring solutions to reduce uncertainty before committing to a user story.
Question 4: In a hybrid project lifecycle, which phase is MOST likely to use predictive techniques?
- Software feature development
- User acceptance testing iterations
- Initial project planning and requirements gathering for fixed scope (Correct answer)
- Daily team standups
Correct answer: Initial project planning and requirements gathering for fixed scope
Predictive techniques are best applied to phases with well-understood, fixed scope such as initial high-level planning and requirements for regulatory or infrastructure components.
Question 5: Which Agile concept describes the idea that the team's understanding of the product improves over time, making early estimates naturally less accurate than later ones?
- Technical debt accumulation
- Progressive elaboration (Correct answer)
- Scope creep
- Gold plating
Correct answer: Progressive elaboration
Progressive elaboration means details and estimates become more refined and accurate as the team learns more about the product throughout the project.
Question 6: A Scrum team has 8 members including the Product Owner and Scrum Master. According to the Scrum Guide, what issue does this present?
- No issue; 8 members is within the recommended range
- The team exceeds the recommended maximum of 7 Scrum team members (Correct answer)
- The team is too small to be effective
- The Product Owner cannot be counted as a Scrum team member
Correct answer: The team exceeds the recommended maximum of 7 Scrum team members
The Scrum Guide recommends 10 or fewer Scrum team members; while 8 is within range, the 2019 Scrum Guide recommends 3-9 including all roles, making 8 at the higher end but acceptable.
Question 7: Which technique is used in Agile to estimate the relative effort of user stories using a non-linear scale (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13)?
- Three-point estimating
- Analogous estimating
- Planning Poker with Fibonacci sequence (Correct answer)
- Bottom-up estimating
Correct answer: Planning Poker with Fibonacci sequence
Planning Poker using the Fibonacci sequence is a consensus-based Agile estimation technique where team members assign relative story points using cards with Fibonacci numbers.
CAPM Agile & Hybrid Methodologies 5
Which Agile scaling framework uses 'Trains' as a metaphor and organizes multiple Agile teams to deliver larger solutions?