SSM Introducing Scrum in SAFe Practice Question
A newly formed Scrum team in a SAFe Agile Release Train is holding its first Sprint Planning session. The Product Owner presents a large, complex feature that cannot be completed in a single iteration. The team is unsure how to proceed. As the Scrum Master, what should you advise the team to do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that iteration length can be adjusted to fit work, rather than slicing work to fit the iteration.
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
✓
Break the feature into smaller, independently deliverable User Stories that fit within one iteration.
The correct approach is to decompose the feature into smaller user stories that can be completed within one iteration. This enables the team to deliver value incrementally and maintains the cadence of the Agile Release Train. The Scrum Master should coach the team on this practice rather than altering iteration length or reassigning work.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Break the feature into smaller, independently deliverable User Stories that fit within one iteration.
Why this is correct
In SAFe, features are decomposed into user stories that can be completed within an iteration. Guiding the team to slice the feature into smaller, independently deliverable stories enables incremental value delivery and aligns with Scrum's iterative approach. This is a core Scrum Master coaching moment during Sprint Planning.
- ✗
Defer the feature to the next Program Increment and focus on smaller items.
Why it's wrong here
Deferring the feature may be necessary eventually, but it avoids solving the immediate problem of decomposing work. The team should first learn to slice features into stories, which is a fundamental Scrum practice. Deferral without attempting decomposition hinders the team's growth and delivery.
- ✗
Extend the iteration length to two weeks so the entire feature can be completed.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the iteration cadence to accommodate a single feature undermines the team's ability to deliver incrementally and violates SAFe's principle of cadence and synchronization. Iteration length should remain consistent across the ART. This is not a viable solution and would disrupt planning and integration.
- ✗
Ask the Release Train Engineer to assign the feature to a different team with more capacity.
Why it's wrong here
Shifting work to another team does not address the underlying issue of breaking down work and may create dependencies and overload. The Scrum Master should coach the team to manage its own work, not immediately escalate. This also bypasses the team's ownership of its backlog.
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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
This SSM 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 SSM exam.