SAFe-APM SAFe Agile Product Manager (APM 6.0) Questions and Answers

A story map is a customer-centric requirement artifact that represents the user journey and the features that support it. A story map is a visual tool that helps to organize and prioritize user stories based on the user goals, activities, and tasks. A story map also helps to align the stakeholders on the scope, value, and dependencies of the product, and to plan the releases and iterations.

References:

Story Mapping - Scaled Agile Framework

What are some example artifacts from product definition?

User Story Mapping: A Complete Guide | Miro

 Time criticality is one key component of Cost of Delay (CoD), which is the money or value that will be lost by delaying or not doing a job for a specific time period relative to other jobs. Time criticality reflects the urgency or sensitivity of a job to time, and how its value changes over time. For example, a job that has a fixed deadline, a seasonal demand, or a high risk of obsolescence has a high time criticality, and its CoD increases rapidly as time passes. A job that has a stable demand, a low risk of competition, or a long-term benefit has a low time criticality, and its CoD increases slowly or remains constant over time.

References:

WSJF: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the concept and purpose of Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF), which is a prioritization model that uses CoD and job duration to sequence jobs for maximum economic benefit. It also describes the four components of CoD: user or business value, time criticality, risk reduction and/or opportunity enablement, and job size.

Cost of Delay - Scaled Agile Framework: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework defines CoD as the numerator in WSJF prioritization, and provides some examples of how to estimate CoD for different types of jobs.

Primary data is information collected through original research by the marketer or researcher themselves. Primary data is used to test hypotheses, which are tentative statements or assumptions about the relationship between variables or the outcome of an experiment. Testing hypotheses helps to validate or invalidate the assumptions and predictions made by the marketer or researcher, and to measure the effectiveness and impact of their product or service.

References:

Primary Data - Types, Methods and Examples: This article from Research Method defines primary data, explains its types and methods, and provides some examples of primary data collection and analysis.

[Hypothesis Testing]: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework describes the concept and process of hypothesis testing, and how it helps to evaluate the value proposition and assumptions of a product or service using experiments and feedback.

Feature estimates are aggregated back into the Epic estimate as part of the lean business case. The lean business case is a lightweight and collaborative artifact that captures the rationale, assumptions, and financial projections for an Epic. The lean business case includes the Epic value statement, which consists of the value proposition, the benefit hypothesis, and the Epic estimate. The Epic estimate is the total effort required to implement the Epic, expressed in story points. The Epic estimate is derived from the sum of the Feature estimates, which are the effort required to implement each Feature that contributes to the Epic, also expressed in story points. The Feature estimates are aggregated back into the Epic estimate as part of the lean business case to provide a realistic and data-driven projection of the cost and duration of the Epic.

References:

Lean Business Case - Scaled Agile Framework

Epic - Scaled Agile Framework

Feature estimates are aggregated back into the Epic estimate as part of …

The value of a market segment is determined by the potential revenue and profit that can be generated from selling products or services to that segment. One of the key factors that influences the value of a market segment is the amount customers are willing to pay for products or services, which reflects their perceived value and price sensitivity. Customers who are willing to pay more for products or services that meet their needs and preferences are more valuable than customers who are willing to pay less or switch to cheaper alternatives. Therefore, understanding the customer’s willingness to pay is essential for setting optimal prices and maximizing the value of a market segment.

References:

Market Segmentation: Definition, Example, Types, Benefits: This article from Investopedia explains the concept and purpose of market segmentation, and describes the four primary types of market segmentation: demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral.

Value-based Market Segmentation – Divide Markets into Value Categories: This article from Marketing Insider provides a detailed guide on how to conduct a value-based market segmentation, which is based on the actual value perceived and delivered to customers. It also discusses the benefits and challenges of value-based market segmentation, and provides some examples and best practices.

Market Segmentation: Definition, Types, Benefits, & Best Practices: This article from Qualtrics XM provides an overview of market segmentation, and discusses the benefits and best practices of market segmentation for businesses. It also provides some examples and tips on how to segment markets effectively.

The projected value of a market segment is an estimate of the potential revenue and profit that can be generated from selling products or services to that segment. To increase confidence in this estimate, it is important to keep the calculations transparent and continually updated as more accurate information becomes available. This involves documenting the assumptions, data sources, methods, and results of the calculations, and validating them with stakeholders and experts. It also involves monitoring the changes in the market conditions, customer behavior, and competitor actions, and adjusting the calculations accordingly. By keeping the calculations transparent and updated, the organization can ensure that the projected value of a market segment reflects the current and future reality, and avoid overestimating or underestimating the market opportunity.

References:

Market Segmentation: Definition, Example, Types, Benefits: This article from Investopedia explains the concept and purpose of market segmentation, and describes the four primary types of market segmentation: demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral.

Market Segmentation: Definition, Types, Benefits, & Best Practices: This article from Qualtrics XM provides an overview of market segmentation, and discusses the benefits and best practices of market segmentation for businesses. It also provides some examples and tips on how to segment markets effectively.

Data Integration Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2030: This article from Grand View Research provides a comprehensive analysis of the global data integration market, including the market size, share, growth, trends, drivers, challenges, opportunities, and segments. It also provides a regional and competitive landscape of the data integration market.

The Architectural Runway is a key part of the Feasible aspect of the Design Thinking model. The Design Thinking model is a framework that guides the creation of innovative solutions that are desirable, viable, feasible, and sustainable. The Feasible aspect focuses on the technical and operational aspects of the solution, such as the architecture, infrastructure, integration, performance, and security. The Architectural Runway is a concept that describes the existing code, components, and technical infrastructure that enable the development and delivery of near-term features without excessive redesign and delay. The Architectural Runway supports the Feasible aspect by providing the necessary technical foundation and alignment for developing business initiatives and implementing new features and capabilities.

References:

Architectural Runway - Scaled Agile Framework

Design Thinking - Scaled Agile Framework

A PI roadmap is a visual tool that illustrates the commitments and forecasts of an Agile Release Train (ART) or Solution Train for the planned and upcoming Program Increments (PIs). One of the activities to create an ARTs PI Roadmap is to provide a list of agreed objectives, which are the SMART goals that summarize the business and technical outcomes that the ART or Solution Train intends to achieve in a PI. The objectives are derived from the features and enablers that are planned and prioritized in the PI Planning event, and they are aligned with the vision, roadmap, and strategic themes of the portfolio. The objectives are used to communicate and track the progress and value delivery of the ART or Solution Train, and to enable alignment and dependency management across multiple ARTs or Solution Trains.

References:

PI Roadmap: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the concept and purpose of the PI Roadmap, and how it can be used to visualize and communicate the near-term deliverables and milestones of an ART or Solution Train.

PI Objectives: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework defines the concept and attributes of PI Objectives, and how they can be used to align and measure the outcomes of an ART or Solution Train.

Retainment is the category of a new feature that aims to keep existing customers loyal and satisfied with the product or service, and prevent them from switching to competitors or alternatives. Retainment features can include loyalty programs, referral incentives, customer feedback mechanisms, personalized offers, and improved customer service. Retainment features can help the business reduce customer churn, increase customer lifetime value, and enhance customer advocacy.

References:

Feature Categories: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the concept and purpose of feature categories, and how they can help product teams prioritize and communicate the value of features. It also describes the four main feature categories: new business, up-sell, operational efficiency, and retainment.

How to Stop Losing Customers: 6 Proven Ways | Pressfarm: This article from Pressfarm provides some practical tips and examples of how to stop losing customers and increase customer retention, such as staying connected, offering excellent customer experience, and providing value-added services.

A product vision is a description of the future state of the product and what problems it tries to solve or what ambitions it tries to fulfill. The most important information to communicate in a product vision is how life/work will improve by using this solution. This information captures the value proposition and the benefit hypothesis of the product, which reflect the needs and expectations of the customers and the stakeholders. This information also inspires and motivates the people who work on the product, as well as the potential users of the product. This information sets the direction and the purpose of the product, and guides the development and delivery of the features and capabilities.

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Vision - Scaled Agile Framework

Solution Vision - Scaled Agile Framework

Product Vision | Agile Product Management

According to the SAFe® Agile Product Management APM (6.0) documents and learning resources, market segment value is the total value of a specific market segment for agiven solution. It is calculated by multiplying the number of potential customers in the segment by the average revenue per customer and the expected market share. The expected market share depends on several factors, such as the value proposition, the competitive advantage, and the number of existing competitors. Therefore, the number of existing competitors is a factor that must be included when building a model of market segment value.

References:

Agile Product Management - Scaled Agile Framework

Customer Centricity - Scaled Agile Framework

5.4 Essential Factors in Effective Market Segmentation

Story mapping is a technique that helps product owners and teams visualize and prioritize user stories based on the user journey and the value they deliver. Story mapping involves creating a two-dimensional map of stories, where the horizontal axis represents the main activities or steps of the user journey, and the vertical axis represents the priority or importance of the stories. The stories are arranged in a hierarchy, where the top row contains the most essential stories that form the backbone of the feature, and the lower rows contain the more detailed or optional stories that enhance the feature. Story mapping helps to organize stories and understand which are critical to implementing the feature, as it shows the big picture of the user goals and needs, the dependencies and relationships among stories, and the minimum viable product (MVP) scope.

References:

Story Mapping: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the purpose, process, and benefits of story mapping, and provides an example of how it can be used in a SAFe context.

User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product: This book by Jeff Patton, the creator of story mapping, provides a comprehensive guide on how to use story mapping to create better products and services that delight customers.

How to Create a User Story Map: Step by Step Guide with Examples: This article from Miro provides a detailed guide on how to create a user story map, with examples and templates for different types of products and services.

A story map is a visual tool that helps product teams organize and prioritize user stories based on the user journey and the value they deliver. A story map shows the main activities or steps of the user journey as the backbone of the feature, and the stories that support each activity as the slices of the feature. A team would create a story map when stories work together to support a workflow, because it helps them to understand and communicate the big picture of the user goals and needs, and to identify the minimum viable product (MVP) scope.

References:

Story Mapping: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the purpose, process, and benefits of story mapping, and provides an example of how it can be used in a SAFe context.

User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product: This book by Jeff Patton, the creator of story mapping, provides a comprehensive guide on how to use story mapping to create better products and services that delight customers.

How to Create a User Story Map: Step by Step Guide with Examples: This article from Miro provides a detailed guide on how to create a user story map, with examples and templates for different types of products and services.

T-Shirt sizing is a sizing standard that is used to estimate Feature effort in the analysis stage of the ART Kanban. T-Shirt sizing is a relative estimation technique that uses predefined categories, such as XS, S, M, L, XL, to assign a size to a Feature based on its complexity, uncertainty, and dependencies. T-Shirt sizing is a quick and simple way to compare and prioritize Features without getting into too much detail or precision. T-Shirt sizing also helps to calculate the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) value of a Feature, which is a prioritization method that considers the cost of delay and the job size.

References:

ART and Solution Train Backlogs - Scaled Agile Framework

ART Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework

New and Updated Kanban Articles provide more effective guidance for …

Program and Solution Kanbans - Scaled Agile Framework

A portfolio canvas is a visual tool that defines and communicates the value streams, solutions, customers, budgets, and key activities and events of a SAFe portfolio. It describes how a solution fits into the overall strategy by showing the value proposition, the customer segments and relationships, the key performance indicators, and the alignment with the strategic themes and the portfolio vision. A portfolio canvas provides business context by helping the portfolio stakeholders understand and align on the portfolio strategy, and by guiding the Agile teams and ARTs in delivering value to the customers and the enterprise.

References:

Portfolio Canvas: This article from the Scaled Agile Framework explains the concept and purpose of the portfolio canvas, and how it can be used to define and manage the portfolio strategy and execution.

What is SAFe Portfolio Canvas : What are its Sections and Blocks: This article from StarAgile provides a detailed guide on how to create and use a portfolio canvas, with examples and templates for different types of portfolios.