PMI-ACP Practice Questions #15
During the last few sprints, the Agile team has been unable to complete any of its sprint goals due to defects from previous releases and unexpected calls with presales. The Agile practitioner approaches the sponsor requesting help. The sponsor replies that the situation is unlikely to change. What is the best course of action for the Agile practitioner going forward?
A. Continue as is, adapting the sprint plans to accommodate the interruptions, as the situation is unlikely to change.
B. Track all interruptions and collaboratively review them with the sponsor and stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement.
C. Collaborate with the team to implement strategies such as capacity allocation for unplanned work and better definition of sprint goals to account for predictable interruptions.
D. Escalate the issue to a higher-level stakeholder or governance body to address the impact of external factors on the team’s performance.
Analysis
The Agile team has been unable to meet sprint goals for multiple sprints due to unplanned work, including defects from previous releases and unexpected presales calls. The Agile practitioner sought help from the sponsor, but the sponsor confirmed that the situation is unlikely to change.
As an Agile practitioner, the goal is to balance responsiveness to business needs with predictability in sprint execution. Since these interruptions are ongoing and expected to continue, the team should adapt their approach rather than resisting the inevitable. The best strategy is to integrate predictable unplanned work into sprint planning while maintaining a focus on delivering value.
Analysis of Options
A: Continue as is, adapting the sprint plans to accommodate the interruptions, as the situation is unlikely to change.
This passive approach does not address the core issue. Simply accepting interruptions without any structured planning means the team will continue struggling with unpredictable workloads and fail to meet sprint commitments. Agile practitioners should proactively find ways to balance planned and unplanned work, rather than just reacting to disruptions. This is not a good option.
B: Track all interruptions and collaboratively review them with the sponsor and stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement.
This seems like a logical step, but the Agile practitioner has already approached the sponsor, who confirmed that the situation will not change. While tracking interruptions may provide data for future improvements, it does not offer an immediate, practical solution for the ongoing issue. Not the best choice.
C: Collaborate with the team to implement strategies such as capacity allocation for unplanned work and better definition of sprint goals to account for predictable interruptions.
This is the best option because it proactively addresses the challenge. Since the interruptions are predictable, the team can:
- Allocate a portion of sprint capacity (e.g., 20-30%) to handle expected unplanned work.
- Define sprint goals in a way that accounts for these interruptions rather than assuming a fully available team.
- Improve backlog refinement and sprint planning to ensure both planned and unplanned work are managed effectively.
This approach ensures both agility and predictability, making it the most practical and Agile-aligned solution.
D: Escalate the issue to a higher-level stakeholder or governance body to address the impact of external factors on the team’s performance.
Escalating an issue is appropriate when no alternatives exist, but in this case, the sponsor has already clarified that the situation will persist. Since no higher-level resolution is possible, it is better to focus on team-level solutions instead of seeking further escalation. This is not the best option.
Conclusion
The correct answer is Option C: Collaborate with the team to implement strategies such as capacity allocation for unplanned work and better definition of sprint goals to account for predictable interruptions.
This choice aligns with Agile principles of adaptability, team collaboration, and sustainable planning. By integrating predictable unplanned work into sprint planning, the team can achieve better predictability and effectiveness while still addressing business demands.
PMI – ACP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
| Mindset | Promote Collaborative Team Environment |
| Mindset | Embrace Change |
| Leadership | Facilitate Problem Resolution |
Topics Covered:
- Balancing planned and unplanned work in sprint planning.
- Implementing capacity allocation strategies for predictable interruptions.
- Promoting a collaborative team environment to adapt to constraints.
- Facilitating problem resolution through structured planning.
- Embracing change by adjusting sprint goals based on real-world conditions.
- Enhancing backlog refinement to accommodate recurring disruptions.
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