PMP Practice Questions #141
In a backlog refinement meeting for a software project, a team member voices concerns over a new technology scheduled for integration in the next month. Their apprehensions revolve around potential integration difficulties and performance issues. What guidance would you offer the team to navigate this situation?
A) Prioritize immediate sprint tasks, accepting that requirements may evolve.
B) Recommend documenting this concern for discussion in the next refinement session.
C) Suggest trusting the Product Owner’s decision-making on backlog prioritization.
D) Propose adding an exploration task to assess the risk, thereby refining the backlog prioritization accordingly.
Analysis
In a software project’s backlog refinement meeting, a concern arises about the potential integration difficulties and performance issues of a new technology scheduled for integration the following month. This situation presents a risk that needs to be managed proactively to ensure the project’s success.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Prioritize immediate sprint tasks, accepting that requirements may evolve. This option suggests focusing on current tasks and assuming future developments may address the concern. However, it overlooks proactive risk management, which is essential even in Agile methodologies. Merely focusing on immediate tasks without considering future risks could lead to missed opportunities for mitigation.
Option B: Recommend documenting this concern for discussion in the next refinement session. Documenting the concern is a positive step, indicating an acknowledgment of the risk. However, deferring discussion to a later meeting could delay addressing the issue. While this option shows an intent to address the concern, it lacks immediate action, which might be necessary depending on the risk’s potential impact.
Option C: Suggest trusting the Product Owner’s decision-making on backlog prioritization. This option places reliance on the Product Owner to prioritize the backlog, including the assessment of the raised concern. It emphasizes trust in the Product Owner’s judgment but does not actively involve the team in managing the identified risk. Effective risk management in Agile projects requires collaboration and active participation from the entire team.
Option D: Propose adding an exploration task to assess the risk, thereby refining the backlog prioritization accordingly. TAdding an exploration task presents a proactive approach to directly assess and address the identified risk. It allows the team to gather more information, evaluate the potential impact, and adjust the backlog prioritization based on findings. This action aligns with Agile principles by integrating risk assessment into the project workflow, ensuring informed decisions and timely responses to potential challenges.
Option A: Prioritize immediate sprint tasks, accepting that requirements may evolve. This option suggests focusing on current tasks and assuming future developments may address the concern. However, it overlooks proactive risk management, which is essential even in Agile methodologies. Merely focusing on immediate tasks without considering future risks could lead to missed opportunities for mitigation.
Conclusion: Option D emerges as the most suitable strategy for addressing the team member’s concerns. By incorporating an exploration task into the backlog, the team can proactively manage the risk, enhancing project adaptability and preparedness. This approach demonstrates effective risk management within an Agile framework, ensuring that the team remains responsive to evolving project needs while maintaining focus on delivering value.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 3: Assess and manage risks |
Topics Covered
- Backlog Refinement
- Risk Management in Agile
