The correct action is to remove some lower-priority items from the Sprint Backlog in agreement with the Product Owner. This is because the sprint capacity adjustment must respect the team’s historical velocity, which serves as a reliable baseline for what can be delivered within the fixed timebox. By collaborating with the Product Owner to swap or drop lower-priority work, the team ensures the Sprint Backlog is realistic and sustainable, preventing overcommitment and protecting quality. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Scrum framework’s core principles: the Sprint timebox is inviolable, the Definition of Done is non-negotiable, and the team must never commit to an unrealistic scope. A common trap is choosing to extend the Sprint or lower the Definition of Done, but both violate Agile fundamentals. Remember the mnemonic “V-POP”: Velocity guides the Plan, and the Product Owner Prioritizes—so when effort exceeds velocity, you Pop the low-priority items off the backlog.
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.
During Sprint Planning, the Development Team realizes that the total effort for the selected Product Backlog items exceeds their historical velocity. What should the team do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remove some lower-priority items from the Sprint Backlog in agreement with the Product Owner.
Option D is correct because the team should collaborate with the Product Owner to remove or replace items to create a realistic Sprint Backlog. Option A is wrong because extending the Sprint violates the timebox. Option B is wrong as the Definition of Done is not negotiable per sprint. Option C is wrong because the team should not commit to an unrealistic scope.
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 duration to accommodate all the work.
Why it's wrong here
Sprints have a fixed duration; extending would break the Scrum framework's timebox.
✗
Commit to all items and work extra hours to deliver.
Why it's wrong here
Overcommitting leads to burnout and unreliable delivery; agile teams aim for sustainable pace.
✗
Lower the Definition of Done to complete items faster.
Why it's wrong here
Definition of Done should be consistent; lowering it compromises quality and transparency.
✓
Remove some lower-priority items from the Sprint Backlog in agreement with the Product Owner.
Why this is correct
The team should select a realistic amount of work based on historical velocity; the Product Owner can reprioritize items.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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: Remove some lower-priority items from the Sprint Backlog in agreement with the Product Owner. — Option D is correct because the team should collaborate with the Product Owner to remove or replace items to create a realistic Sprint Backlog. Option A is wrong because extending the Sprint violates the timebox. Option B is wrong as the Definition of Done is not negotiable per sprint. Option C is wrong because the team should not commit to an unrealistic scope.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 development team realizes they have taken on more work than they can complete. According to Scrum, what should they do?
easy
✓ A.Collaborate with the Product Owner to remove or defer some Product Backlog items.
B.Continue working and deliver whatever is done at the end of the Sprint, regardless of missing items.
C.Inform management about the issue and ask for more resources.
D.Extend the Sprint duration to complete all the work.
Why A: Option B is correct because in Scrum, the team collaborates with the Product Owner to adjust the Sprint scope while preserving the Sprint Goal. Option A is wrong because management is not involved in day-to-day adjustments. Option C violates the timeboxed Sprint. Option D is not transparent; the team should negotiate scope changes proactively.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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