CAPM Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Practice Question
During a Scrum sprint, the development team discovers that a critical dependency on another team's API cannot be resolved until the next sprint. The product owner insists on delivering the current sprint goal without adjusting scope. The team is struggling to meet the definition of done. What should the Scrum Master do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the Scrum Master's role by offering escalation or overtime as quick fixes, catching candidates who forget that facilitation and collaboration come before escalation in agile frameworks.
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
✓
Facilitate a discussion between the product owner and team to renegotiate the sprint goal
The Scrum Master's first action should be to facilitate a discussion between the product owner and the development team to renegotiate the sprint goal, because the dependency cannot be resolved within the sprint. The Scrum Master serves the team by removing impediments and fostering collaboration, not by dictating or escalating prematurely. Re negotiating the sprint goal with the product owner is the appropriate agile response to a significant impediment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Order the team to work overtime to complete the remaining work
Why it's wrong here
Overtime does not remove the external API dependency blocking the definition of done, so the sprint goal remains unachievable regardless of hours worked. It is tempting because overtime is a familiar lever for schedule pressure, and it would be the right response to a workload shortfall within the team's own control.
- ✗
Ignore the dependency and ask the team to do their best
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the blocked API leaves the definition of done unmet and conceals the impediment, producing an increment the team cannot honestly declare complete. Doing the best possible work suits routine estimation variance, not a hard external dependency that prevents completion.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the program manager for resolution
Why it's wrong here
Escalation hands the impediment to a program manager, removing it from the team's control and bypassing the Scrum Master's servant-leadership duty to coach the product owner and facilitate resolution. Escalation fits when an impediment exceeds the team's authority and no Scrum-level remedy exists.
- ✓
Facilitate a discussion between the product owner and team to renegotiate the sprint goal
Why this is correct
The dependency cannot be resolved until the next sprint, so the definition of done is unattainable within the current goal. Facilitating product owner and team discussion to renegotiate the sprint goal addresses the impediment collaboratively, which is the Scrum Master's servant-leadership responsibility before escalation.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CAPM
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a sprint, the team identifies a critical defect that requires immediate attention. What should the Scrum Master do?
hard- A.Report to management.
- B.Add the defect to the product backlog.
- ✓ C.Allow the team to fix the defect within the sprint if possible.
- D.Stop the sprint and restart.
Why C: In Scrum, the team should handle critical defects within the sprint if possible, as the sprint backlog is flexible and can be adjusted. The Scrum Master should facilitate this by helping the team assess the impact and decide whether to fix it immediately or add it to the product backlog for prioritization.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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.