PMP Practice Questions #6
Considering the delays in your previous project, especially during stages like requirements verification and code testing, you plan to implement lean-agile practices for your upcoming project. Which of the following would be the most effective approach to significantly reduce or completely eradicate such waiting times?
A) Rigidly follow a comprehensive project management plan.
B) Regularly use root cause analysis to pinpoint and resolve bottlenecks.
C) Establish a cross-functional and self-organizing team.
D) Hold frequent dependency management and review meetings.
Analysis
The context provided indicates there were challenges in a past project, particularly during the stages of requirements verification and code testing. The goal now is to implement lean-agile practices to alleviate these waiting times. The question aims to identify the most effective lean-agile approach to address this specific problem.
Option Analysis:
A) Rigidly follow a comprehensive project management plan.
At first glance, this might sound like a structured approach, but it’s contrary to the agile mindset. Agile emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to change rather than rigidly sticking to a plan. Hence, this option is not aligned with the lean-agile approach.
B) Regularly use root cause analysis to pinpoint and resolve bottlenecks.
This is a proactive method to identify and rectify issues. Regularly conducting root cause analyses can help teams understand challenges and implement solutions. While this is a valid approach and resonates with the idea of retrospectives in agile, it might not directly address the core issue of delays between stages.
C) Establish a cross-functional and self-organizing team.
This option targets the heart of the problem mentioned in the question. Cross-functional teams have members with diverse skills and expertise, enabling them to handle various stages of a project without waiting for another team. A self-organizing team, on the other hand, has the autonomy to identify and address issues on their own. This approach reduces handoffs and potential bottlenecks, making it the most direct solution to the problem.
D) Hold frequent dependency management and review meetings.
While managing dependencies is vital in projects, this approach might be more reactive than proactive. It doesn’t eliminate the root cause of the delays but rather manages them. It’s a band-aid solution compared to establishing a cross-functional team, which is more of a preventive approach.
In conclusion, while options B and D provide methods to manage and address challenges, option C offers a direct solution to the identified problem by minimizing handoffs and potential delays. Given the context of the question and the need for a lean-agile approach, option C is the most effective choice. This aligns with the majority opinion in the poll, as described in the transcript.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 6: Build a team |
| Process | Task 13 : Determine appropriate project methodology/methods and practices |
Topics Covered
- Cross Functional Teams
- Agile Approaches
- Lesson Learned
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.
