SAFe-Agilist Exploring Lean Portfolio Management Practice Question
A Portfolio Manager is evaluating a proposed Epic using Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF). The Epic has a Cost of Delay of 50 and a Job Size of 10. Another Epic has a Cost of Delay of 20 and a Job Size of 2. Which should be prioritized?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often mistakenly believe the highest Cost of Delay automatically means the highest priority, ignoring the Job Size component which is critical to the WSJF calculation.
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
✓
The second Epic, because it has a higher WSJF score.
WSJF is calculated by dividing the Cost of Delay by the Job Size. The first Epic has a WSJF score of 5.0 (50/10), while the second Epic has a score of 10.0 (20/2). Therefore, the second Epic is more economically efficient to perform first. Prioritizing based on WSJF maximizes the total economic benefit delivered by the portfolio over time by addressing the highest value-to-cost ratio first.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The first Epic, because it has a higher Cost of Delay.
Why it's wrong here
Cost of Delay is only one component of WSJF. Prioritizing solely on Cost of Delay ignores the effort required to achieve that value. The Job Size must be factored in to determine the most economically efficient sequence, ensuring that the portfolio delivers the most value per unit of effort expended.
- ✗
The first Epic, because it is more complex.
Why it's wrong here
Complexity is not a valid basis for prioritization in SAFe. Using WSJF provides an objective, data-driven approach that ignores subjective feelings about complexity. Focusing on the highest WSJF score ensures that the organization generates the best possible economic outcome relative to the resource capacity of the portfolio teams.
- ✓
The second Epic, because it has a higher WSJF score.
Why this is correct
With a WSJF of 10.0 compared to 5.0, the second Epic offers significantly better value per unit of size. By addressing this Epic first, the portfolio realizes value more quickly and utilizes its resources more effectively, which is the foundational goal of using WSJF in the Lean Portfolio Management process.
- ✗
Both should be started simultaneously to maximize throughput.
Why it's wrong here
Starting multiple initiatives simultaneously increases WIP, which degrades flow and reduces the speed of delivery. The goal is to finish the most valuable items first, not to start as many as possible. By focusing on the highest WSJF item, the portfolio ensures that value is delivered incrementally and quickly.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Scaled Agile exam blueprint
This SAFe-Agilist practice question is part of Courseiva's free Scaled Agile 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 SAFe-Agilist exam.