AgilePM-Practitioner Agile Project Management (AgilePM) Practitioner Exam Questions and Answers

A. Yes, because acceptance criteria can only be understood at a high level during Foundations and will always need further investigation.

Rationale:

In Agile Project Management, while the Foundations phase does involve setting high-level expectations and a prioritized requirements list, the detailed acceptance criteria are often refined during the actual Solution Development iterations or timeboxes. This is because, as the work progresses, the team's understanding of the product grows, and they are better equipped to define detailed acceptance criteria that align closely with the customer's needs and the project's evolving context. It's a collaborative and iterative process, allowing for greater precision in defining what will make a particular feature or requirement acceptable.

The Facilitator should invite the following two individuals to participate in the Workshop:

D. IT Operations Manager (Solution Development Team) E. Marketing Director (Business Visionary)

The rationale for this selection is that the disagreement is between the Marketing Director, who wants the reservation system to have professional photos and video tours (which impacts how the system will be used by potential customers and affects marketing strategy), and the IT Operations Manager, who is concerned with the system's technical limitations and maintenance. Both of these individuals are key to resolving the issue at hand, as they represent the conflicting requirements that need to be reconciled for the project to move forward.

The two statements that explain why the Architecture Angels' Finance Director would be an appropriate Business Sponsor are:

C. Is the project budget holder. D. Is concerned about preventing the costs of refurbishment from escalating and affecting the operations of the company.

Rationale:

•C: Being the project budget holder, the Finance Director has a clear overview of the financial aspects of the project, which is crucial for the role of Business Sponsor. They are responsible for the financial governance of the project, ensuring that the project remains viable and delivers value for money.

•D: A key responsibility of a Business Sponsor is to safeguard the project from going over budget. The Finance Director's concern for preventing cost escalation is aligned with this responsibility, as they would work to balance the financial constraints with the project objectives.

Options A, B, and E do not directly relate to the role's responsibilities and do not support why the Finance Director would be suitable for the Business Sponsor role in an Agile context.

Agile Practitioner

For each line, here is the appropriate option from A to E that applies:

The rooms and facilities must be deployed into live use at the end of each Timebox.

D. False (Assertion) True (Reason)

Rationale: While Evolutionary Development and Deployment can be combined in a timebox, it is not necessary that the rooms and facilities must be deployed into live use at the end of each timebox. Deployment into live use typically occurs after several timeboxes when the product is ready for release.

The tasks associated with each Solution Development Timebox should be included in the Delivery Plan.

A. True (Assertion) True (Reason)

Rationale: The Delivery Plan should outline the schedule of timeboxes and include the high-level activities planned for the upcoming project increment, which encompasses the tasks for each Solution Development Timebox.

The development approach should have been agreed during Foundations.

A. True (Assertion) True (Reason)

Rationale: The development approach is indeed something that should be agreed upon during the Foundations phase, as the Development Approach Definition sets the stage for how Evolutionary Development will proceed.

The resources from Timber Tigers and Earth Excavations should have been engaged before the start of Evolutionary Development.

C. True (Assertion) False (Reason)

Rationale: It is true that resources should be engaged before Evolutionary Development starts to ensure commitment and resource availability. However, the commitment is typically based on the detailed planning and agreements made during Foundations, not solely on pre-agreed resource levels at the project level.

A final Deployment phase should be held after Timebox C has completed.

E. False (Assertion) False (Reason)

Rationale: Deployment phases are usually not a one-time, final phase but occur incrementally as part of the timeboxed development. Additionally, the assessment of whether the expected benefits have been achieved is part of the benefits realization process and not necessarily the sole reason to have a final Deployment phase post-Timebox C.

B. Yes, because the acceptance criteria might need to be changed during the Solution Development Timebox.

Rationale:

In Agile Project Management, flexibility is key. It is important to prioritize work based on the value it provides and the necessity of the requirement. "Should Have" requirements are important but not critical, and they can be subject to change as the project progresses and as more information becomes available. Deferring the detailed setting of acceptance criteria for a "Should Have" requirement that might be dropped is a practical approach to managing workload and focusing efforts on the most critical aspects of the project first. This approach is in line with Agile's principle of responding to change over following a fixed plan.

To implement the new Must Have requirement for financial transaction functionality on the coffee shop insurance product website, the Technical Coordinator should focus on actions that align with their role in overseeing the technical aspects of the project. The following actions are most appropriate for the Technical Coordinator:

Selected Actions for the Technical Coordinator:

A. Ensure that the latest version of the website design in the Solution Architecture Definition is provided to all members of the Solution Development Team.

E. Check for any documented standards which need to be applied to the development of online financial transaction functionality.

A. It's crucial for the Technical Coordinator to ensure that the Solution Development Team has access to the most current website design specifications, especially when new functionalities are being added. This ensures consistency and alignment with the overall solution architecture, facilitating effective and efficient development.

E. The Technical Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all technical aspects of the project adhere to relevant standards, including those related to online financial transactions. This involves identifying, understanding, and applying any necessary regulatory, security, and technical standards to the development process, ensuring compliance and functionality.

Why Other Actions Are Less Suitable:

B. Assessing the impact on the original Business Case is typically the responsibility of the Business Sponsor or Project Manager, as it involves financial and strategic considerations beyond the Technical Coordinator's primary focus.

C. Adding tasks to the Timebox Plan is generally a responsibility shared between the Project Manager and the Solution Development Team, with the Technical Coordinator providing input on technical feasibility and requirements.

D. Consolidating and circulating an agenda for the workshop is an important logistical task but may not directly fall under the Technical Coordinator's responsibilities. This task is often handled by the Project Manager or a designated administrative role.

For the XAN Insurance Company Web Project, the Development Approach Definition document should outline the methodologies, tools, and techniques to be used during the development process of the project. It focuses on how the project will be executed in terms of technical and management practices.

Selected Statements for the Development Approach Definition:

C. An easy to use web development tool called 'WebMatrix' is to be used to develop and maintain the website extension.

E. Accessibility and performance of the new online quotation area is to be tested using a tool called Sitebeam.

C. This statement directly specifies a tool (WebMatrix) that will be used for web development and maintenance in the project. It is a clear choice regarding the technical approach and infrastructure, making it suitable for inclusion in the Development Approach Definition.

E. Mentioning Sitebeam as a tool for testing accessibility and performance outlines specific methods for ensuring quality and usability in the development process. It provides actionable information on how testing will be conducted, fitting the criteria for the Development Approach Definition.

Why Other Statements Are Excluded:

A. Introducing an awards or bonus scheme to create competition among sales assistants pertains more to internal sales team management and motivation strategies rather than the technical or methodological approach to developing the project.

B. Comparing traditional telephone sales with online sales is related to the project's performance measurement and post-implementation review, not the development approach or methodology used during the project.

D. The request from the Finance Director for a detailed cost report is related to project financial management and monitoring. While important, it does not detail the technical or methodological approach to developing the project's deliverables.

Based on the Agile Project Management roles and the responsibilities outlined for each individual in the XAN Insurance Company Web Project scenario, the following selections can be made:

Manager of Web & Digital Media - will oversee and report progress on the delivery of the overall system.Selection: H. Project ManagerExplanation: The Manager of Web & Digital Media's role of overseeing and reporting on the project's progress aligns with the responsibilities of a Project Manager in an Agile setting, who is responsible for ensuring that the project meets its objectives and is delivered on time.

Finance Director - has budgetary control and will release finance for the project subject to expected benefits.Selection: A. Business SponsorExplanation: The Finance Director's control over the budget and the decision to release funds based on the expected benefits align with the role of a Business Sponsor, who is typically responsible for the project's budget and ensuring that it delivers value to the business.

Sales Manager - will formulate design options for new business processes that do not adversely affect business as usual.Selection: B. Business AnalystExplanation: The Sales Manager's responsibility for formulating design options for new business processes mirrors the role of a Business Analyst in Agile Project Management, who works to understand the business needs, assess the impact of changes, and ensure the solution meets business requirements.

Operations Manager - oversees the design and integrity of the technical aspects of the solution.Selection: F. Technical CoordinatorExplanation: The Operations Manager's focus on the technical design and integrity of the solution corresponds to the role of a Technical Coordinator in Agile projects, who ensures that the technical aspects of the project align with the business needs and technical standards.

In the context of Agile Project Management, it is crucial to have clear commitments regarding team members' availability to ensure that project planning and execution can be as accurate and effective as possible. By securing a formal agreement on the hours the marketing assistants can dedicate to the project each week, the Project Manager can better plan tasks and allocate resources, thereby optimizing the team's capacity and ensuring that project timelines and deliverables are realistic and achievable.

References:

The Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) framework emphasizes the importance of clear communication, resource planning, and commitment from all team members to ensure project success. Having a formal agreement on availability helps in setting clear expectations and allows for more effective planning and utilization of resources within the constraints of the project, aligning with Agile principles of collaboration, adaptability, and iterative progress.

The activities from Column 1 should be performed in the following steps from Column 2, according to the iterative development process:

Create the data entry screen for entering coffee bar details needed for a quotation.Selection: B. ActionExplanation: Creating the data entry screen is part of the 'Action' step in iterative development, where the actual product or a part of it is being constructed.

Enter numbers into a text-only field to see how the web page behaves.Selection: A. ThoughtExplanation: Testing how the web page behaves by entering data is part of the 'Thought' step, which includes reviewing and evaluating the work done, testing, and reflecting on the outcomes.

Discuss the requirements of the new coffee bar insurance web page and agree which data fields are important.Selection: C. ConversationExplanation: Discussing and agreeing on the requirements is part of the 'Conversation' step, which involves interactions between team members and stakeholders to understand and define what needs to be built.

To implement the new Must Have requirement for the coffee shop insurance product website, which includes financial transaction functionality, the Business Sponsor should take the following actions:

Selected Actions for the Business Sponsor:

B. Check the viability of the project, following the inclusion of the new Must Have requirement.

E. Assess the impact of the new Must Have requirement on the original Business Case.

B. Evaluating the project's viability after adding a significant new requirement is crucial. This involves analyzing whether the project can still meet its objectives within the given constraints, such as time, budget, and resources, especially when the new requirement could potentially add complexity and cost.

E. Understanding how the new requirement affects the original Business Case is essential. This involves reassessing the project's expected benefits, costs, and risks in light of the new functionality. It ensures that the project remains aligned with business objectives and continues to offer a viable return on investment.

Why Other Actions Are Less Suitable:

A. While ensuring adherence to relevant standards is important, it is more of a task for the technical team or a specific role such as the Technical Coordinator, rather than the primary responsibility of the Business Sponsor.

C. Sourcing and hiring specific technical expertise, such as a web developer with experience in online financial transactions, is generally a responsibility delegated to the Project Manager or relevant technical leads, not the Business Sponsor directly.

D. While communicating business changes to all interested parties is important, the specific action of explaining the implications of the business change company-wide is more likely to be a collaborative effort involving several roles, including the Business Change Manager, rather than solely the Business Sponsor's responsibility.

The most constructive and collaborative action the Web Content Manager should take is:

D. Discuss the issue with the Web Developer and decide what action is required to change this detail.

Direct communication and collaboration between the Web Content Manager and the Web Developer are essential in Agile environments to promptly address misunderstandings or mistakes. Discussing the issue openly allows for a quick resolution and ensures that the final product aligns with the project's requirements. This approach fosters a positive working relationship, encourages shared responsibility for the project's success, and avoids unnecessary delays or conflicts.

To lead the Solution Development Team effectively during the first Structured Timebox, the Project Manager should:

C. Attend the Daily Stand-up and discuss any problems at the end.

Attending the Daily Stand-up meetings allows the Project Manager to stay informed about the team's progress, challenges, and any blockers they might be facing. It offers an opportunity for the Project Manager to provide support, guidance, and decision-making where necessary, without disrupting the team's autonomy and self-organization. This approach encourages open communication, quick resolution of issues, and maintains the Agile principle of collaboration and continuous improvement. Discussing problems at the end of the meeting ensures that any issues are addressed promptly, keeping the Timebox on track.