PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
You are the project manager for a software development project using Scrum. During the sprint, the product owner requests a change that would significantly increase the value of the product but also expands scope. Which TWO actions should you 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
✓
Work with the product owner to prioritize the change for a future sprint
In Scrum, the product owner can change the backlog, but the project manager should first assess the impact on the current sprint and, if accepted, ensure the change is added after the current sprint unless it is an emergency. The correct actions are to assess impact and work with the product owner to prioritize the change for a future sprint.
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 the change to the current sprint immediately to maximize value
Why it's wrong here
In Scrum, once a sprint begins, the Sprint Goal is fixed, and the Sprint Backlog is stable to protect the development team's focus. Adding a new change immediately without proper assessment or negotiation with the Product Owner risks disrupting the team's ability to achieve the Sprint Goal and complete committed work. This approach undermines sprint planning and predictability, potentially leading to incomplete work and a failure to deliver on the sprint's objectives.
- ✓
Work with the product owner to prioritize the change for a future sprint
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate agile response. The Product Owner is solely responsible for managing and prioritizing the Product Backlog, which includes new features, changes, and enhancements. By working with the Product Owner, the project manager ensures the change is properly evaluated, prioritized against other backlog items, and scheduled for a future sprint, thereby protecting the current sprint's integrity and the team's focus on its Sprint Goal.
- ✗
Reject the change because it was not in the original plan
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting a potentially valuable change simply because it wasn't in the initial plan contradicts the core agile principle of embracing change to deliver value. Agile methodologies prioritize adaptability and continuous feedback, recognizing that requirements evolve throughout a project. An outright rejection prevents the project from incorporating new insights or market demands, potentially leading to a less valuable product.
- ✗
Escalate to the project sponsor for approval
Why it's wrong here
Escalating this decision to the project sponsor is an inappropriate step in an agile framework, particularly Scrum. The Product Owner holds the authority and responsibility for managing the Product Backlog, including the prioritization of new features and changes. Bypassing the Product Owner for backlog-related decisions undermines their role and accountability, creating unnecessary bureaucracy and delaying the decision-making process.
- ✓
Assess the impact of the change on the current sprint
Why this is correct
Before any decision can be made regarding a new change, it is crucial to assess its potential impact. This assessment involves understanding the scope, effort, dependencies, and potential risks associated with incorporating the change, especially if there's any consideration for the current sprint. This information empowers the Product Owner and the team to make informed prioritization decisions, whether for the current sprint (if feasible and critical) or a future one, ensuring transparency and realistic planning.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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