The answer is to implement a Work in Progress (WIP) limit to reduce multitasking. This agile technique directly addresses a velocity drop due to interruptions by capping the number of tasks a team can work on simultaneously, which forces focus and completion over starting new work. When interruptions cause context-switching, WIP limits act as a throttle, preventing the team from overloading their workflow and allowing them to absorb disruptions without derailing overall progress. On the PMP exam, this question tests your understanding of Kanban-based flow metrics within an Agile framework, often appearing as a scenario where the team complains of “too many cooks” or constant task-switching. A common trap is confusing WIP limits with sprint planning or daily stand-ups, but remember: WIP limits are a pull-system constraint, not a scheduling tool. Memory tip: “WIP stops the slip”—limiting work in progress prevents the velocity drop caused by interruptions.
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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 velocity has dropped due to too many interruptions. What agile technique should the Scrum Master recommend to address this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement a Work in Progress (WIP) limit to reduce multitasking
Option A is correct: limiting Work in Progress (WIP) reduces multitasking and interruptions. Option B does not address interruptions. Option C is about schedule, not interruptions. Option D is a ceremony, not a countermeasure.
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 each task estimate
Why it's wrong here
Buffers hide inefficiencies; better to reduce interruptions directly.
✓
Implement a Work in Progress (WIP) limit to reduce multitasking
Why this is correct
WIP limits help the team focus and minimize task-switching interruptions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Conduct more frequent retrospectives
Why it's wrong here
Retrospectives identify issues but do not directly reduce interruptions.
✗
Increase the sprint duration to accommodate interruptions
Why it's wrong here
Longer sprints may increase, not reduce, interruptions; addressing root cause is better.
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.
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a Work in Progress (WIP) limit to reduce multitasking — Option A is correct: limiting Work in Progress (WIP) reduces multitasking and interruptions. Option B does not address interruptions. Option C is about schedule, not interruptions. Option D is a ceremony, not a countermeasure.
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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Question Discussion
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