PMI-ACP Practice Questions #70
The team is struggling to self-organize, relying on instructions and approvals rather than taking ownership of tasks. This is causing delays and bottlenecks in progress.
What approach should you take?
A. Assign clear roles and responsibilities to team members and enforce strict adherence to them.
B. Facilitate workshops on self-organization, set clear expectations, and gradually reduce top-down directives to help the team build confidence.
C. Implement a top-down decision-making process until the team demonstrates readiness for self-organization.
D. Allow the team to struggle and achieve self-organization on their own, setting a clear target to encourage autonomy.
Analysis
The team is struggling with self-organization, relying on instructions and approvals instead of taking ownership of their tasks. This behavior is causing delays and bottlenecks in progress. As an Agile leader, your role is to facilitate self-organization rather than enforcing rigid structures or leaving the team to struggle. The ideal approach should gradually empower the team by setting clear expectations, reducing dependency on top-down direction, and building confidence in decision-making.
Analysis of Options
A: Assign clear roles and responsibilities to team members and enforce strict adherence to them.
This reinforces hierarchy and prevents self-organization. By strictly defining roles and ensuring adherence, you are creating permanent dependency on instructions, which is exactly the problem the team is facing. Agile teams thrive on flexibility and shared ownership, not rigidly assigned roles. This approach would hinder growth rather than encourage autonomy, making this an incorrect choice.
B: Facilitate workshops on self-organization, set clear expectations, and gradually reduce top-down directives to help the team build confidence.
This is the best approach because it addresses the root cause while empowering the team. Providing training on self-organization, setting clear expectations, and gradually reducing top-down instructions helps the team transition smoothly. Instead of abruptly leaving them to figure things out, this approach guides them step by step until they are comfortable making independent decisions. It strikes the right balance between guidance and autonomy, making it the best answer.
C: Implement a top-down decision-making process until the team demonstrates readiness for self-organization.
This is a weaker version of Option A, delaying self-organization rather than encouraging it. A top-down approach contradicts Agile principles and does not actively help the team transition. Instead, it assumes they will eventually become ready on their own, which misses the opportunity for coaching and gradual improvement. Teams do not suddenly become self-organizing—they need support, mentoring, and a structured transition. This option is not ideal.
D: Allow the team to struggle and achieve self-organization on their own, setting a clear target to encourage autonomy.
While self-organization is the goal, abandoning the team to struggle is not an effective leadership approach. Agile leadership is about facilitation and support, not merely setting a target and expecting the team to figure everything out. Some Agile frameworks might suggest a hands-off approach, but in the PMI-ACP context, leaders are expected to help teams grow rather than leaving them unsupported. This extreme approach is incorrect.
Conclusion
The correct answer is Option B, as it guides the team toward self-organization through workshops, expectations, and gradual reduction of top-down direction. Option A is incorrect because it reinforces dependency on instructions. Option C is incorrect because it delays self-organization without actively fostering it. Option D is incorrect because it abandons the team instead of facilitating growth.
PMI – ACP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
| Leadership | Empower Teams |
| Leadership | Promote Agile Mindset Principles and Practices |
Topics Covered:
- Empowering teams to take ownership and make decisions
- Facilitating the transition to self-organization through training and guidance
- Setting clear expectations and gradually reducing top-down directives
- Encouraging autonomy while providing the necessary support
- Promoting Agile principles, including self-organization, through leadership and facilitation
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.
