The correct answer is to let the Development Team decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog. This is because Scrum mandates that the Development Team is self-organizing and owns the Sprint Backlog; when capacity changes, only the team can determine which items to remove or re-scope to reflect their reduced velocity. On the CAPM exam, this question tests your understanding of the Scrum Master’s role as a servant-leader who facilitates team self-adjustment on capacity change rather than dictating solutions. A common trap is choosing an option where the Scrum Master reassigns work or cancels the Sprint, which violates the principle of self-management. Remember the mnemonic “Team decides, SM guides”—the Scrum Master never touches the Sprint Backlog content.
CAPM Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Practice Question
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of agile frameworks and methodologies. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Scrum team has five members. During a Sprint, two members are pulled to work on a critical production issue. The remaining three are unable to complete all committed stories. What should the Scrum Master do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Let the Development Team decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog.
In Scrum, the Development Team is self-organizing and responsible for managing its own work within the Sprint. When two members are pulled to a critical production issue, the remaining three team members have the authority to decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog to reflect their reduced capacity. The Scrum Master should facilitate this self-management rather than imposing a solution, as option C respects the team's autonomy and the Scrum principle of self-organization.
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.
✗
Extend the Sprint by one week to complete the remaining work.
Why it's wrong here
Sprints are timeboxed; extending them is not recommended.
✗
Ask the Product Owner to remove work from the Sprint Backlog.
Why it's wrong here
The Product Owner can cancel the Sprint but cannot unilaterally remove items without team agreement.
✓
Let the Development Team decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog.
Why this is correct
The Development Team self-organizes to handle changes and can renegotiate scope.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Remove the least valuable stories from the Sprint Backlog.
Why it's wrong here
The Scrum Master does not decide scope; the Development Team does.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PMI often tests the misconception that the Scrum Master or Product Owner should directly manage the Sprint Backlog, when in fact the Development Team has exclusive authority over it during the Sprint.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Sprint Backlog is owned exclusively by the Development Team, as per the Scrum Guide (2020), which states that only the Development Team can change the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint. The Scrum Master's role is to coach the team on Scrum practices and remove impediments, not to dictate backlog adjustments. In a real-world scenario, the team might renegotiate scope with the Product Owner or re-estimate remaining tasks, but the decision must come from the team to preserve accountability and commitment.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Let the Development Team decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog. — In Scrum, the Development Team is self-organizing and responsible for managing its own work within the Sprint. When two members are pulled to a critical production issue, the remaining three team members have the authority to decide how to adjust the Sprint Backlog to reflect their reduced capacity. The Scrum Master should facilitate this self-management rather than imposing a solution, as option C respects the team's autonomy and the Scrum principle of self-organization.
What should I do if I get this CAPM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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