Agile and Hybrid Approaches Flashcards

What is the primary difference between Scrum and Kanban as agile frameworks?

Answer: Scrum uses iterations and timeboxes; Kanban uses continuous flow with WIP limits

Scrum organizes work into fixed-length sprints with defined ceremonies, while Kanban uses a continuous flow model with WIP limits to manage work throughput.

An agile team is working in a heavily regulated environment. What is the BEST approach to maintaining compliance while preserving agility?

Answer: Embed compliance checks and documentation into the Definition of Done for each sprint

Incorporating compliance requirements into the DoD ensures regulatory standards are met continuously throughout development, not as a separate end-of-project activity.

In agile risk management, what is a 'risk-adjusted backlog'?

Answer: A product backlog that incorporates risk assessment to prioritize high-risk items for early resolution

A risk-adjusted backlog prioritizes work to address high-risk items early in the project, reducing uncertainty and protecting later sprints from surprises.

What does 'inspect and adapt' mean as a core agile principle?

Answer: Regularly reviewing progress and processes, then making adjustments based on findings

Inspect and adapt is the empirical process at the heart of agile — teams regularly examine their work and process, then make evidence-based improvements.

A project sponsor insists on a detailed project plan with fixed dates and scope before approving an agile project. What is the BEST response from the project manager?

Answer: Provide a high-level roadmap with release themes and approximate timelines while explaining agile planning progressively elaborates details

Effective agile project managers bridge the gap by offering roadmaps and rolling-wave plans that satisfy governance needs while maintaining the flexibility agile requires.

Which agile practice MOST directly reduces the risk of delivering a product that does not meet customer needs?

Answer: Frequent customer collaboration and feedback through sprint reviews and demos

Regular sprint reviews and customer demos create fast feedback loops that allow teams to validate assumptions and course-correct before significant investment is made.

In hybrid project management, what is the PRIMARY advantage of using an agile approach for the requirements phase compared to traditional methods?

Answer: Agile allows requirements to emerge and evolve through collaboration and iteration rather than being locked in upfront

Agile's iterative approach to requirements allows stakeholders to refine understanding progressively, reducing the risk of building to outdated or misunderstood specifications.