POPM Product Owner and Product Management Roles Practice Question
A Product Owner is working with the System Architect to define the architectural runway for an upcoming PI. The team is concerned that a new feature will require significant refactoring. What is the most appropriate action for the Product Owner?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is trying to hide refactoring within feature estimates or deferring the feature, rather than making the necessary enabler work explicit in the backlog.
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
✓
Add an enabler story to the Program Backlog to address the refactoring.
The Product Owner should add an enabler story to the Program Backlog to address the refactoring. Enablers are a specific SAFe artifact for capturing architectural and infrastructure work. They allow the team to maintain architectural runway while continuing to deliver features. This approach ensures transparency, proper prioritization, and balanced investment in technical quality.
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 team to absorb the refactoring work within the feature's story points.
Why it's wrong here
Hiding refactoring within feature estimates leads to inaccurate forecasting and unsustainable pace. It also obscures the true effort and can result in technical debt. SAFe recommends making enabler work explicit in the backlog so it can be prioritized and tracked, ensuring transparency and balanced investment.
- ✗
Defer the feature until the next PI to allow time for refactoring.
Why it's wrong here
Deferring the feature may delay value delivery and is not always necessary. If the refactoring is critical, it can be addressed via an enabler in the current PI. Deferral should be a last resort after considering options like enablers. This approach could also disrupt PI objectives and stakeholder expectations.
- ✗
Request that the System Architect refactor the code independently.
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring is a team activity, not something to be delegated to an individual. The System Architect collaborates with the team to define enablers, but the team implements them. Isolating the architect from the team undermines collective ownership and can create bottlenecks. SAFe emphasizes team-based execution.
- ✓
Add an enabler story to the Program Backlog to address the refactoring.
Why this is correct
Enabler stories are used to support architectural runway and infrastructure work. By adding an enabler story, the Product Owner ensures the team addresses technical debt while still delivering business value. This aligns with SAFe's principle of built-in quality and makes the necessary refactoring visible and prioritized alongside functional features.
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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
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