- A
Replace the team lead to send a message about accountability
Why wrong: Blaming individuals is not agile; the system (estimates, process) needs improvement.
- B
Encourage the product owner to use the actual velocity of 30 as the basis for future sprint planning
Using empirical data (actual velocity) leads to more realistic planning and reduces pressure on the team.
- C
Set a goal of 40 story points and ask the team to be more productive
Why wrong: Ignoring actual velocity and setting unachievable goals will demotivate the team and lead to further underdelivery.
- D
Insist that the team adopt pair programming and TDD immediately to improve productivity
Why wrong: While helpful, these practices may initially decrease velocity; they are not a quick fix for the planning issue.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to encourage the product owner to use the actual velocity of 30 as the basis for future sprint planning. This is because agile velocity planning using actual data relies on historical performance rather than initial optimistic estimates, ensuring that sprint commitments are realistic and sustainable. In Scrum, velocity is a measure of work a team can reliably complete in a sprint, and using actual data from completed sprints—not aspirational targets—prevents overcommitment and protects team morale. On the CAPM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of adaptive planning under the Agile Practice Guide, where the key trap is confusing planned estimates with empirical data. A common memory tip is “Plan with the past, not the promise”—always let actual velocity drive your sprint planning to avoid scope creep and burnout.
CAPM Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Practice Question
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of agile frameworks and methodologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A startup is using Scrum to develop a mobile app. The product owner has a clear vision and has written detailed user stories for the first release. During sprint planning, the development team estimates that they can complete 40 story points per sprint. However, after two sprints, the team has only completed 30 points per sprint. The product owner is concerned and wants to hold the team accountable. The team says that the estimates were optimistic and that they are still learning the technology. The Scrum Master notices that the team is not using pair programming or test-driven development (TDD) as originally planned. The product owner suggests reducing scope for the next sprint to match the team’s actual velocity. The Scrum Master must decide the best way to proceed. What should the Scrum Master do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Encourage the product owner to use the actual velocity of 30 as the basis for future sprint planning
The team's actual velocity is 30, so planning 40 is unrealistic. The Scrum Master should help the team adjust their estimates based on historical data. Pair programming and TDD could improve quality but may initially slow velocity, so not a quick fix. Asking the team to work faster without changes won't work. A blame culture is counterproductive.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the team lead to send a message about accountability
Why it's wrong here
Blaming individuals is not agile; the system (estimates, process) needs improvement.
- ✓
Encourage the product owner to use the actual velocity of 30 as the basis for future sprint planning
Why this is correct
Using empirical data (actual velocity) leads to more realistic planning and reduces pressure on the team.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set a goal of 40 story points and ask the team to be more productive
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring actual velocity and setting unachievable goals will demotivate the team and lead to further underdelivery.
- ✗
Insist that the team adopt pair programming and TDD immediately to improve productivity
Why it's wrong here
While helpful, these practices may initially decrease velocity; they are not a quick fix for the planning issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CAPM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Agile Frameworks and Methodologies — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAPM question test?
Agile Frameworks and Methodologies — This question tests Agile Frameworks and Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Encourage the product owner to use the actual velocity of 30 as the basis for future sprint planning — The team's actual velocity is 30, so planning 40 is unrealistic. The Scrum Master should help the team adjust their estimates based on historical data. Pair programming and TDD could improve quality but may initially slow velocity, so not a quick fix. Asking the team to work faster without changes won't work. A blame culture is counterproductive.
What should I do if I get this CAPM question wrong?
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "first". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAPM exam.
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