CST Agile Estimation Techniques & User Stories

Question 1

What is the primary advantage of using story points rather than hours for estimating in Scrum?

Accepted Answer

They enable relative estimation that is team-specific and avoids time-pressure anchoring

Answer

Story points enable relative estimation that remains internally consistent within a team while avoiding the psychological pressure and anchoring that comes with hour-based estimates.

Question 2

Why does Planning Poker typically use a Fibonacci-like sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13) rather than a linear scale?

Accepted Answer

The increasing gaps reflect growing uncertainty in larger estimates

Answer

The exponentially increasing gaps in the Fibonacci sequence reflect the reality that larger items carry more uncertainty, making fine-grained distinctions (e.g., 11 vs. 12 points) meaningless.

Question 3

During Planning Poker, two team members consistently submit very different estimates. What is the BEST action for the Scrum Master to take?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a discussion so both team members share their reasoning

Answer

Divergent estimates signal different assumptions or hidden complexity; facilitating a discussion surfaces these differences, leading to shared understanding and better estimates.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes a well-formed User Story?

Accepted Answer

A short, simple description of a feature from the perspective of the person who desires it

Answer

A User Story is a short, simple description written from the end user's perspective, capturing what they want and why, to facilitate conversation and collaborative refinement.

Question 5

What does the 'I' in the INVEST acronym for well-formed User Stories stand for?

Accepted Answer

Independent

Answer

Independent in INVEST means user stories should be self-contained and avoid dependencies on other stories, enabling flexible scheduling and prioritization.

(CST) Certified Scrum Trainer Practice Test

(CST) Certified Scrum Trainer Practice Test

CST Agile Estimation Techniques & User Stories