CAPM Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Practice Question
In Kanban, what is the primary purpose of limiting Work in Progress (WIP)?
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
✓
To reduce multitasking and improve focus.
Limiting Work in Progress (WIP) in Kanban is primarily intended to reduce multitasking and improve focus. By restricting the number of tasks in progress, team members concentrate on completing current work before starting new items, which minimizes context switching and enhances flow. Although increased throughput can be a benefit, the core purpose is to improve focus and flow. Option A correctly identifies this primary purpose. Option B relates to quality, which is a secondary effect. Option C, increased throughput, is a result but not the primary purpose. Option D is incorrect because limiting WIP does not aim to make the team work faster; it aims to improve efficiency and flow.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
To reduce multitasking and improve focus.
Why this is correct
Limiting WIP prevents team members from juggling too many tasks at once.
- ✗
To ensure each task is done correctly the first time.
Why it's wrong here
Quality is affected by many factors, not just WIP limits.
- ✗
To increase throughput.
Why it's wrong here
Throughput may increase as a result, but the primary purpose is to reduce multitasking.
- ✗
To make the team work faster.
Why it's wrong here
WIP limits can make work seem slower but improve overall flow.
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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. In a Kanban system, what is the primary purpose of limiting Work in Progress (WIP)?
easy- ✓ A.To identify bottlenecks and improve flow by preventing overloading.
- B.To assign work to the most available team member.
- C.To measure the team's velocity accurately.
- D.To ensure each work item has high quality before moving to the next stage.
Why A: In Kanban, limiting Work in Progress (WIP) is primarily to identify bottlenecks and improve flow by preventing overloading of the system. Option A correctly states this purpose. Option B is incorrect because WIP limits do not assign work to team members; work is pulled based on capacity. Option C is incorrect because velocity is a Scrum metric, not directly measured by WIP limits in Kanban. Option D is incorrect because while quality may improve indirectly, the primary purpose is flow management, not ensuring individual work item quality.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.