PMI-ACP Practice Questions #34
You are managing a large software development project with a diverse team, and the stakeholders emphasize the need for upfront design and architecture. The project involves delivering small, business-value-driven features in incremental cycles. Given the scale and complexity, you want a framework that includes distinct roles such as chief architect, and domain expert. Which agile framework would be most suitable for this project?
A. Scrum
B. Feature-Driven Development (FDD)
C. Kanban
D. Extreme Programming (XP)
Analysis
The question presents a scenario involving a large software development project that requires upfront design and architecture, while still focusing on incremental business-value-driven deliveries. Additionally, the project scale demands distinct roles, such as Chief Architect and Domain Experts. The selected Agile framework must support structured design, incremental feature delivery, and predefined roles.
Analysis of Options
A: Scrum
Scrum is not the best fit for this scenario. It works well for small, cross-functional teams but does not inherently include upfront design or specialized roles like Chief Architect and Domain Expert. Scrum focuses more on self-organizing teams and emergent design, which contrasts with the stated requirement for upfront design and specific roles. Therefore, Scrum is not the best choice for this project.
B: Feature-Driven Development (FDD)
FDD is a strong match for this scenario. It is designed for large-scale software projects and emphasizes incremental, feature-based delivery while incorporating structured upfront design and architecture. It also includes distinct roles such as Chief Architect, Domain Experts, and Class Owners, making it well-suited for a complex project with clear role differentiation. This aligns well with the stakeholder expectations and project needs, making FDD the best choice.
C: Kanban
Kanban is not an ideal fit for this scenario. While Kanban optimizes flow and minimizes bottlenecks, it does not prescribe roles like Chief Architect or Domain Expert. Additionally, Kanban focuses on continuous delivery and flow efficiency rather than structured upfront design and feature-driven development. This makes Kanban an unsuitable choice for this project.
D: Extreme Programming (XP)
XP is also not the best fit because it emphasizes small, co-located teams, rapid iteration, and continuous feedback rather than structured roles and upfront design. While XP does encourage incremental delivery of business value, it does not include predefined roles such as Chief Architect and Domain Experts. Instead, XP relies on continuous collaboration and technical excellence, which is different from the structured approach required in this scenario. Therefore, XP is not the ideal choice.
Conclusion
The best answer is Option B: Feature-Driven Development (FDD) because it aligns with structured upfront design, role specialization, and incremental feature delivery, making it suitable for large-scale, complex Agile projects.
This question highlights the importance of understanding different Agile frameworks beyond Scrum and Kanban, particularly in scenarios where scale, structure, and defined roles are essential.
PMI – ACP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
| Mindset | Embrace Agile Mindset |
Topics Covered:
- Feature-Driven Development (FDD) as a suitable framework for large-scale software projects.
- Structured upfront design and architecture while maintaining Agile principles.
- Predefined roles in Agile frameworks, including Chief Architect and Domain Experts.
- Incremental feature-based delivery to ensure business value-driven outcomes.
- Comparison of Agile frameworks (Scrum, XP, Kanban) and their suitability for structured, large-scale projects.
- Balancing Agile flexibility with structured governance in large software development projects.
- Understanding role specialization within Agile methodologies.
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