POPM PI Planning Preparation Practice Question
Exhibit
{
"item": "Feature Z",
"status": "In Progress",
"last_update": "30 days ago",
"priority": "High",
"definition_of_ready": {
"acceptance_criteria": "Missing",
"architectural_review": "Completed"
}
}Refer to the exhibit. Why is 'Feature Z' not suitable for the upcoming PI Planning cycle?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume that any feature in the backlog is 'ready' for planning. They overlook the necessity of acceptance criteria in the Definition of Ready for PI Planning.
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
✓
Because it lacks acceptance criteria and is stagnant.
Feature Z is not suitable because it lacks essential acceptance criteria, which is a core component of the 'Definition of Ready'. Without acceptance criteria, the teams cannot properly estimate or plan the work. Additionally, the stale status suggests a lack of active management, increasing the risk that the feature's requirements are no longer current or relevant, making it an unreliable choice for the upcoming program increment planning cycle.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Because it is marked as 'High' priority.
Why it's wrong here
High priority is exactly what the team should be working on. The issue is not the priority level, but the missing readiness criteria. Prioritization without readiness leads to poor planning, but the priority itself is actually a reason to include the feature, provided it can be properly prepared before the event.
- ✗
Because it has already undergone architectural review.
Why it's wrong here
Architectural review is a positive indicator that the feature has been checked for viability. This is a good thing and is not why the feature is unsuitable. The flaw lies in the missing acceptance criteria, which is a critical documentation requirement that has been overlooked for this feature, rendering it incomplete.
- ✓
Because it lacks acceptance criteria and is stagnant.
Why this is correct
Missing acceptance criteria means the feature is not 'ready' for planning. The fact that it has not been updated for 30 days suggests it is not actively being managed or refined. Both factors make it a poor candidate for planning, as it will likely cause issues or require rework during the increment.
- ✗
Because it is in 'In Progress' status.
Why it's wrong here
Features that are 'In Progress' are frequently carried over into the next PI. Their status is not the reason they would be unsuitable. The issue is the combination of missing criteria and lack of recent activity, which points to a management failure rather than a problem with the feature being 'in progress'.
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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.