SSM Introducing Scrum in SAFe Practice Question
An Agile Release Train is launching in a large enterprise. During the initial Program Increment Planning event, the Scrum Master notices that multiple Agile Teams are struggling to identify dependencies between their team backlogs and are creating isolated plans. Which action should the Scrum Master take to address this challenge effectively?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume that escalating dependency issues directly to the Release Train Engineer is the best first step, rather than coaching teams to resolve them collaboratively.
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
✓
Facilitate direct alignment sessions between the dependent teams to map out dependencies, negotiate delivery sequences, and update the program board.
Facilitating cross-team collaboration during PI Planning is essential for managing inter-team dependencies and aligning delivery. By encouraging teams to actively negotiate dependencies and map them on the program board, the Scrum Master ensures transparency and shared understanding. This collaborative approach directly supports the SAFe principle of synchronizing alignment and execution across all participating teams within the Agile Release Train.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate the unmapped dependencies directly to the Release Train Engineer to reassign team priorities and objectives.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating immediately bypasses the self-organizing capability of the Agile Teams and undermines the collaborative spirit required during PI Planning events. Teams must first attempt to negotiate and resolve their own dependencies across team boundaries before seeking external management intervention.
- ✗
Advise each team to finalize their individual iteration plans independently and resolve any missed dependencies during subsequent execution.
Why it's wrong here
Finalizing plans independently leads to siloed execution and guarantees that critical integration issues and missed dependencies will disrupt the Program Increment. SAFe explicitly relies on synchronous planning and real-time dependency tracking on the program board to prevent downstream delivery failures.
- ✓
Facilitate direct alignment sessions between the dependent teams to map out dependencies, negotiate delivery sequences, and update the program board.
Why this is correct
Bringing the dependent teams together enables them to visualize risks and dependencies on the program board and negotiate realistic delivery commitments. This proactive facilitation directly addresses the root cause of isolated planning by reinforcing cross-team communication and synchronization.
- ✗
Instruct the Product Managers to unilaterally adjust the team backlogs to eliminate cross-team dependencies without consulting the developers.
Why it's wrong here
Product Managers define business priorities and feature intent, but they should not unilaterally alter team execution plans or bypass developer estimation. Forcing arbitrary backlog changes without team input destroys engagement and creates inaccurate commitments for the upcoming Program Increment.
Visual reference
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 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.