The correct actions are to add the new features to the product backlog for consideration in a future sprint, have the product owner re-prioritize the backlog, and transparently communicate the impact of the change to stakeholders. This is because the sprint review is a time for inspection and adaptation, not for altering the current sprint’s scope; the sprint backlog is frozen once the sprint begins to protect the team’s commitment and velocity. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Scrum’s empirical process control and the product owner’s role in value-driven prioritization, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly extend the sprint or allow unapproved work. The key memory tip is “Review, not revise”—the sprint review reviews the product increment, while scope changes go back to the product backlog for future prioritization.
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 review, the product owner requests a significant scope change that would add two new features. The team estimates this would extend the sprint by one week. You are the Scrum Master. Which THREE actions should you take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ask the product owner to prioritize the new features against existing backlog items
Option A is correct: the PO should prioritize. Option C is correct: the change should be added to the backlog and addressed in future sprints. Option E is correct: the impact should be communicated transparently. Option B is wrong because it violates the sprint commitment. Option D is wrong because the team should not work unapproved changes.
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.
✓
Ask the product owner to prioritize the new features against existing backlog items
Why this is correct
The PO owns the backlog and should prioritize based on value.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Instruct the team to start working on the new features immediately
Why it's wrong here
Starting work without formal acceptance violates sprint scope.
✗
Agree to extend the sprint by one week to accommodate the changes
Why it's wrong here
Extending the sprint undermines timeboxing and the sprint goal.
✓
Communicate the potential impact on the release plan to stakeholders
Why this is correct
Transparency about impacts is key in agile.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Add the new features to the product backlog for consideration in a future sprint
Why this is correct
New work should be added to the backlog and prioritized for later sprints.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
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 — 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: Ask the product owner to prioritize the new features against existing backlog items — Option A is correct: the PO should prioritize. Option C is correct: the change should be added to the backlog and addressed in future sprints. Option E is correct: the impact should be communicated transparently. Option B is wrong because it violates the sprint commitment. Option D is wrong because the team should not work unapproved changes.
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.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.