SSM Introducing Scrum in SAFe Practice Question
During a PI Planning session, a team discovers that a key dependency on another team will not be met within the proposed timeline. What is the most appropriate action for the Scrum Master to take?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often choose answers that involve escalating the dependency to management or the RTE immediately, forgetting that Scrum Masters should first coach the teams to directly collaborate and negotiate a local solution.
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 a discussion between the teams to negotiate a solution.
The Scrum Master must facilitate communication between the involved teams to highlight the risk and seek a resolution. In SAFe, dependencies are tracked on the Program Board, and transparency is required to manage expectations. Proactive resolution is crucial because unresolved dependencies create bottlenecks that prevent teams from achieving their PI objectives and impact the reliability of the entire ART delivery plan.
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 ignore the dependency and hope it resolves itself.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a known dependency is a recipe for failure. It masks risks that will inevitably surface during the PI, causing delays and conflicts. Effective SAFe practices require transparency and immediate escalation or negotiation of dependencies to ensure the PI plan remains realistic and achievable for all teams involved.
- ✗
Inform the Release Train Engineer (RTE) so they can address the dependency.
Why it's wrong here
While the RTE manages the program, the Scrum Master must first facilitate communication between the teams involved. Escalation is a last resort; the teams should attempt to negotiate a solution or identify a workaround first. This fosters collaboration and keeps the decision-making process close to the source of work.
- ✓
Facilitate a discussion between the teams to negotiate a solution.
Why this is correct
Facilitating a direct negotiation allows teams to find creative solutions, such as adjusting the sequence of work or finding an alternative approach. This is the most effective way to handle dependencies, as it maintains team autonomy and keeps the planning process moving forward efficiently without relying on external intervention.
- ✗
Remove the dependent feature from the team's plan entirely.
Why it's wrong here
Removing a feature without consulting the Product Owner or the ART stakeholders is a unilateral decision that ignores business value. Dependencies must be managed, not simply discarded. The team needs to work with the business owners to understand the impact of any changes to the plan before taking action.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
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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.