- A
Add buffer time to the sprint plan to accommodate potential rework
Why wrong: Adding buffer does not address the root cause of unclear requirements.
- B
Instruct the team to proceed with their best interpretation of requirements
Why wrong: Proceeding without clarification increases rework; the PM should facilitate clarity.
- C
Introduce a requirements clarification step before each sprint planning
An upfront clarification step helps ensure requirements are understood before the sprint begins.
- D
Work with the product owner to implement one of the team's suggested improvements in the next sprint
Implementing improvements based on retrospective findings is a core agile practice.
- E
Ensure the product owner attends all sprint planning and grooming sessions to clarify requirements
Product owner involvement is crucial for clarifying requirements and reducing rework.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. 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 a sprint retrospective, the team identifies that unclear requirements from the product owner are causing rework. The team suggests improvements. Which THREE actions should the project manager (Scrum Master) take?
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
Introduce a requirements clarification step before each sprint planning
Options C, D, and E are correct because they address the root cause of unclear requirements: adding a clarification step before sprint planning, implementing one of the team's suggested improvements per sprint, and ensuring the product owner attends all planning and grooming sessions to clarify requirements in real time. Option A is incorrect because adding buffer time does not prevent rework; it only accommodates it. Option B is incorrect because proceeding with best interpretation invites further rework and violates the principle of transparency.
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.
- ✗
Add buffer time to the sprint plan to accommodate potential rework
Why it's wrong here
Adding buffer does not address the root cause of unclear requirements.
- ✗
Instruct the team to proceed with their best interpretation of requirements
Why it's wrong here
Proceeding without clarification increases rework; the PM should facilitate clarity.
- ✓
Introduce a requirements clarification step before each sprint planning
Why this is correct
An upfront clarification step helps ensure requirements are understood before the sprint begins.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Work with the product owner to implement one of the team's suggested improvements in the next sprint
Why this is correct
Implementing improvements based on retrospective findings is a core agile practice.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Ensure the product owner attends all sprint planning and grooming sessions to clarify requirements
Why this is correct
Product owner involvement is crucial for clarifying requirements and reducing rework.
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 PMP 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 PMP 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.
- →
People — Leading Projects — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Introduce a requirements clarification step before each sprint planning — Options C, D, and E are correct because they address the root cause of unclear requirements: adding a clarification step before sprint planning, implementing one of the team's suggested improvements per sprint, and ensuring the product owner attends all planning and grooming sessions to clarify requirements in real time. Option A is incorrect because adding buffer time does not prevent rework; it only accommodates it. Option B is incorrect because proceeding with best interpretation invites further rework and violates the principle of transparency.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP 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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This PMP 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 PMP exam.
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