PMP Practice Questions #4
You are working with a product owner who has been creating user stories for the project. A stakeholder complains that he is unable to see the big picture of the flow of requirements since the stories only provide a slice of the requirement. Which tool would you recommend to the Product Owner to address this scenario?
A) Suggest creating the Epic before creating the User stories.
B) Suggest having the Scope Statement made for the project along with User Stories.
C) Suggest using the User Story Mapping to present the flow.
D) Ask the stakeholder to invite the person to the backlog refinement.
Analysis
In Agile ways of working, user stories are commonly used to break down requirements into digestible and actionable chunks. These user stories allow the development team to focus on small, incremental improvements, delivering value consistently. However, for stakeholders not deeply involved in the daily operations of Agile teams, these individual stories might seem fragmented and may not convey the broader narrative or flow of the entire project. Stakeholders need to see how all these pieces fit together and understand the overarching journey or flow of requirements. This is precisely the concern raised by the stakeholder in the given scenario.
Options Analysis:
A) Suggest creating the Epic before creating the User stories.
While epics are broad high-level user stories that provide an overarching objective or goal, they don’t necessarily provide a visual flow of how individual user stories fit together. An epic is more of a container or folder for related user stories. It is a broad representation and gets further detailed into multiple user stories. However, it doesn’t give a visual representation of the user’s journey or flow of requirements, which is what the stakeholder is asking for.
B) Suggest having the Scope Statement made for the project along with User Stories.
Creating a detailed scope statement alongside user stories can provide more context and clarity on what the project intends to achieve. But this method is more of a hybrid approach, combining traditional and agile elements. While it could give a broader view of the project’s purpose, it might not visually represent the flow of user stories or how they interrelate. It also does not directly address the stakeholder’s concern about understanding the flow of requirements.
C) Suggest using the User Story Mapping to present the flow.
User story mapping is a visualization tool that lays out user stories based on the user’s journey. It organizes user stories by sequences or steps that a user would take while interacting with the product. For example, in an e-commerce context: login, search, select product, pay, and receive shipment. By using this tool, stakeholders can see how individual user stories connect and create a cohesive experience. This approach directly addresses the stakeholder’s concern about seeing the big picture and understanding the flow of requirements. This is the most appropriate choice based on the given scenario.
D) Ask the stakeholder to invite the person to the backlog refinement.
Inviting the stakeholder to a backlog refinement meeting can provide them with more insight into how user stories are discussed, prioritized, and refined. While this can be valuable, it does not directly give the stakeholder a visual representation of the flow of requirements. It’s more about the process of refining and discussing user stories rather than understanding their flow and interrelation.
Conclusion:
The most fitting recommendation for the product owner, considering the stakeholder’s concern, would be option C: Suggest using the User Story Mapping to present the flow. This tool provides a visual representation, illustrating how various user stories fit together in the user’s journey. It addresses the primary issue of understanding the flow of requirements, making it the best choice among the given options.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 9 : Collaborate with Stakeholders |
| People | Task 10: Build Shared Understanding |
| Process | Task 8: Plan and Manage Scope |
Topics Covered
- Stakeholder Engagement
- User Stories
- Epics
- User Story Mapping
- Product Backlog
- Product Backlog Refinement
- Product Owner
If you’re gearing up for the PMP Exam, we highly recommend enrolling in our PMP Exam prep program. Not only does it offer a comprehensive solution for exam preparation, but it also enhances your project management capabilities. Ensure success and skill development with our tailored program.
