SSM Supporting ART Events Practice Question
During the management review and problem-solving session at the end of PI Planning, a business owner asks the Scrum Master of Team Delta why the team's plan includes a stretch objective that depends on an unproven technology. What is the most appropriate response for the Scrum Master?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is treating stretch objectives as committed scope, when they are deliberately optional goals the team pursues only if capacity remains after committed work is done.
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
✓
Explain that the objective is a stretch goal, not committed scope, and that the team has identified the technology risk on the program board.
Stretch objectives are optional goals pursued only after committed objectives are achieved, and they are a legitimate way to explore new technology and reduce future risk. The Scrum Master should clarify that the objective is not committed scope and confirm that the associated technology risk is captured on the program board or in the team's risk list.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Explain that the stretch objective reflects the team's committed scope and will be delivered regardless of the technology risk.
Why it's wrong here
Stretch objectives are explicitly not committed goals; they represent additional value the team will pursue if capacity allows. Describing a stretch objective as committed scope misstates its purpose and overcommits the team. The Scrum Master should clarify the distinction between committed and stretch objectives, especially when the underlying technology is unproven.
- ✗
State that stretch objectives are decided by the Release Train Engineer and that the business owner should raise the concern with them.
Why it's wrong here
Stretch objectives are defined by the team during PI Planning, not imposed by the Release Train Engineer. Deflecting the business owner's question misrepresents how plans are built and avoids the Scrum Master's responsibility to facilitate transparency. The Scrum Master should explain the team's rationale and the risk treatment directly rather than redirecting the question.
- ✓
Explain that the objective is a stretch goal, not committed scope, and that the team has identified the technology risk on the program board.
Why this is correct
Stretch objectives are optional goals the team pursues only after committed objectives are met, and they are often used to explore new technology or reduce risk. If the technology is unproven, the risk should be visible on the program board or in the team's risks. This response accurately represents the plan and shows the risk is being managed transparently.
- ✗
Agree to remove the stretch objective immediately so the team's plan contains no uncertainty for the ART.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the stretch objective to eliminate all uncertainty removes the team's opportunity to learn and innovate, which is a legitimate use of stretch goals. The management review is a problem-solving session, not a forum for stripping plans of every risk. The Scrum Master should explain the risk and how it is managed, not automatically delete the objective.
About these practice questions
One of 385 original SSM practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.