PMI-ACP Practice Questions #46
In a large-scale development project, three teams are working iteratively based on the demands of the context. However, dependencies between teams are creating coordination challenges. How can an Agile practitioner best manage this situation?
A. Use clear planning for dependencies to ensure they are addressed as per the plan, and create a centralized team responsible for dependency management.
B. Create small, independent teams and foster inter-team collaboration through frequent coordination and planning meetings.
C. Focus solely on individual team deliverables and address dependencies when they become critical.
D. Extend the timebox duration to 10 weeks to allow dependencies to be planned well in advance.
Analysis
In a large-scale Agile development project with multiple teams, managing dependencies effectively is crucial for maintaining smooth coordination and ensuring progress. Agile encourages decentralized decision-making, fostering team collaboration rather than relying on a centralized authority to manage dependencies. The best approach is to create a network of teams that actively collaborate and engage in continuous coordination through structured meetings such as Scrum of Scrums. This allows teams to handle dependencies in an adaptive and iterative manner.
Analysis of Options:
A: Use clear planning for dependencies to ensure they are addressed as per the plan, and create a centralized team responsible for dependency management.
This option introduces a centralized team to handle dependencies, which contradicts Agile principles. Agile encourages distributed responsibility, where teams coordinate dependencies directly rather than relying on a separate group. While some level of dependency planning is necessary, Agile thrives on continuous adaptation rather than rigid pre-planning. This option does not align with Agile values.
B: Create small, independent teams and foster inter-team collaboration through frequent coordination and planning meetings.
This is the best choice. It supports Agile’s emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and decentralized decision-making. Methods such as Scrum of Scrums and regular coordination meetings help teams manage dependencies without relying on a separate management entity. This approach fosters a self-organizing environment, ensuring dependencies are identified and addressed early.
C: Focus solely on individual team deliverables and address dependencies when they become critical.
This option neglects proactive dependency management, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies. Agile promotes early identification and continuous collaboration to address dependencies rather than waiting until they become critical. Ignoring dependencies until they escalate can cause bottlenecks and disrupt the overall project flow.
D: Extend the timebox duration to 10 weeks to allow dependencies to be planned well in advance.
This option incorrectly assumes that increasing the iteration length will resolve dependency issues. Agile relies on short, iterative cycles to deliver value and adapt quickly. Extending timeboxes reduces feedback frequency and does not inherently solve dependency challenges. The focus should be on improving collaboration and coordination rather than modifying iteration length.
Conclusion
The correct answer is Option B, as it aligns with Agile’s core principles of fostering team independence, collaboration, and iterative coordination. Encouraging direct communication and structured inter-team interactions is the most effective way to manage dependencies in a multi-team Agile environment.
PMI – ACP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
| Mindset | Embrace Agile Mindset |
Topics Covered:
- Inter-Team Collaboration: Encouraging frequent coordination meetings like Scrum of Scrums.
- Self-Organizing Teams: Promoting team independence while managing dependencies proactively.
- Decentralized Decision-Making: Avoiding centralized dependency management teams in Agile environments.
- Proactive Dependency Management: Identifying and addressing dependencies early to prevent bottlenecks.
- Iterative Coordination: Using continuous planning and collaboration rather than rigid pre-planning.
- Agile Scalability: Managing dependencies effectively in large-scale Agile development projects.
If you’re preparing for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam, we highly recommend enrolling in our PMI-ACP® Exam Prep Program. Designed to provide a comprehensive Agile learning experience, this program not only helps you ace the PMI-ACP® exam but also enhances your Agile mindset, leadership skills, and ability to deliver value-driven projects. Ensure exam success and career growth with our expert-led, structured preparation program tailored for Agile professionals.
