POPM Iteration Execution Practice Question
During an iteration, the Product Owner learns that a critical dependency on another team will not be delivered as expected. What is the most appropriate action for the Product Owner?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that the Product Owner should handle dependencies alone or wait for a formal event to address them.
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
✓
Immediately escalate the issue to the Release Train Engineer and attend the Scrum of Scrums to coordinate a resolution.
When a critical dependency is at risk, the Product Owner should escalate to the Release Train Engineer and engage in the Scrum of Scrums to coordinate a resolution. This is the established mechanism in SAFe for managing cross-team dependencies. Waiting, assuming resolution, or unilaterally switching stories without coordination can lead to wasted effort and misalignment. Proactive escalation ensures the team and the ART can adapt effectively.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Instruct the team to stop work on the dependent story and pick up a different story from the Team Backlog.
Why it's wrong here
While the team may need to pivot, simply instructing them to stop work without first understanding the impact and coordinating with other teams could lead to further misalignment. The Product Owner should first escalate and collaborate to resolve the dependency, as other teams may be affected. Abruptly switching stories without a coordinated plan may waste effort and disrupt the iteration goal.
- ✗
Ask the team to work on the dependent story anyway and assume the dependency will be resolved later.
Why it's wrong here
Proceeding with work that depends on an unresolved deliverable risks building on an unstable foundation and may result in rework. It also ignores the need to coordinate across teams. The Product Owner should not assume the dependency will be resolved; instead, they should escalate and work with the Release Train Engineer to find a solution or adjust scope. This option reflects a lack of proactive risk management.
- ✗
Wait until the Iteration Review to discuss the issue with stakeholders and adjust the plan.
Why it's wrong here
Waiting until the Iteration Review is too late; dependencies need to be addressed as soon as they are identified to minimize impact. The Iteration Review is for inspecting the increment, not for resolving real-time impediments. Delaying action could jeopardize the iteration goal and affect other teams. The Product Owner should proactively escalate and coordinate immediately.
- ✓
Immediately escalate the issue to the Release Train Engineer and attend the Scrum of Scrums to coordinate a resolution.
Why this is correct
The Product Owner should escalate the dependency issue to the Release Train Engineer and participate in the Scrum of Scrums to help coordinate a resolution. This is the appropriate channel for cross-team dependencies in SAFe. By doing so, the Product Owner helps remove impediments and ensures the team can adjust plans based on updated information, maintaining alignment with the program's objectives.
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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 POPM 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 POPM exam.