SSM Supporting ART Events Practice Question
During the PI Planning event, the ART is conducting the draft plan review. A team presents a plan that includes a feature with a dependency on another team, but the dependency is not reflected on the program board. As the Scrum Master for that team, what should you do?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is delaying the dependency update or escalating immediately instead of using the draft plan review to facilitate cross-team collaboration.
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 with the team and the dependent team to make the dependency visible on the program board and adjust the plan if needed.
During the draft plan review, dependencies should be made visible on the program board and discussed collaboratively. The Scrum Master facilitates a conversation between the teams to adjust the plan and ensure alignment. This proactive approach prevents integration issues later and leverages the event's purpose of surfacing and resolving cross-team dependencies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Wait until after PI Planning to update the program board with the dependency to avoid disrupting the session.
Why it's wrong here
The program board is a key artifact used during PI Planning to visualize dependencies and facilitate coordination. Delaying its update misses the opportunity to address the dependency in real time with the other team. The Scrum Master should ensure that dependencies are captured as they are identified so that the ART can plan accordingly and avoid surprises later.
- ✓
Facilitate a discussion with the team and the dependent team to make the dependency visible on the program board and adjust the plan if needed.
Why this is correct
The draft plan review is designed to surface dependencies and risks. The Scrum Master should facilitate a conversation between the teams to make the dependency visible and adjust plans collaboratively. This ensures that the dependency is managed and that both teams agree on the approach, which is essential for successful PI execution and aligns with the purpose of the event.
- ✗
Escalate the missing dependency to the Release Train Engineer immediately and ask them to resolve it.
Why it's wrong here
While the RTE may need to be involved eventually, the Scrum Master should first facilitate a discussion between the teams to resolve the dependency. Escalating immediately bypasses the teams' ability to self-organize and collaborate. The draft plan review is an opportunity for teams to identify and address dependencies directly, with the Scrum Master's support.
- ✗
Instruct the team to remove the feature from the plan to avoid cross-team complications.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the feature unilaterally is a product decision that should involve the Product Owner and may undermine the team's commitment. The dependency, once identified, should be made visible and managed, not avoided. The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate the team's planning and ensure dependencies are captured, not to eliminate work that may be valuable to the ART.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
This SSM question is part of Courseiva's 385-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. 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.