AgilePM-Practitioner Agile Project Management (AgilePM) Practitioner Exam Questions and Answers

The activities from Column 1 should be performed in the following steps from Column 2, according to the iterative development process:

Create the data entry screen for entering coffee bar details needed for a quotation.Selection: B. ActionExplanation: Creating the data entry screen is part of the 'Action' step in iterative development, where the actual product or a part of it is being constructed.

Enter numbers into a text-only field to see how the web page behaves.Selection: A. ThoughtExplanation: Testing how the web page behaves by entering data is part of the 'Thought' step, which includes reviewing and evaluating the work done, testing, and reflecting on the outcomes.

Discuss the requirements of the new coffee bar insurance web page and agree which data fields are important.Selection: C. ConversationExplanation: Discussing and agreeing on the requirements is part of the 'Conversation' step, which involves interactions between team members and stakeholders to understand and define what needs to be built.

Based on the Agile Project Management roles and the responsibilities outlined for each individual in the XAN Insurance Company Web Project scenario, the following selections can be made:

Manager of Web & Digital Media - will oversee and report progress on the delivery of the overall system.Selection: H. Project ManagerExplanation: The Manager of Web & Digital Media's role of overseeing and reporting on the project's progress aligns with the responsibilities of a Project Manager in an Agile setting, who is responsible for ensuring that the project meets its objectives and is delivered on time.

Finance Director - has budgetary control and will release finance for the project subject to expected benefits.Selection: A. Business SponsorExplanation: The Finance Director's control over the budget and the decision to release funds based on the expected benefits align with the role of a Business Sponsor, who is typically responsible for the project's budget and ensuring that it delivers value to the business.

Sales Manager - will formulate design options for new business processes that do not adversely affect business as usual.Selection: B. Business AnalystExplanation: The Sales Manager's responsibility for formulating design options for new business processes mirrors the role of a Business Analyst in Agile Project Management, who works to understand the business needs, assess the impact of changes, and ensure the solution meets business requirements.

Operations Manager - oversees the design and integrity of the technical aspects of the solution.Selection: F. Technical CoordinatorExplanation: The Operations Manager's focus on the technical design and integrity of the solution corresponds to the role of a Technical Coordinator in Agile projects, who ensures that the technical aspects of the project align with the business needs and technical standards.

The most effective action the Project Manager can suggest to ensure the most effective collaboration of the Solution Development Team is:

C. Relocate these employees to a new project area, with a number of desks where the Solution Development Team can sit together.

Co-locating team members in a shared space is a well-established practice in Agile environments to enhance communication, collaboration, and team dynamics. By having the Solution Development Team sit together, the Project Manager can facilitate more efficient face-to-face interactions, quick resolution of issues, and a better sense of team unity. This approach leverages the benefits of immediate communication and collaborative problem-solving, which are key in Agile project management. Even though the team members are currently in the same office, their separation into different ends of the office could hinder spontaneous communication and collaboration. Creating a dedicated project area for the team can significantly improve their ability to work together effectively.

The most effective action the Project Manager should take to resolve the 'them and us' culture between the Sales Department and the Operations Department is:

B. Brief the team and the Business Visionary on the use of an Agile Project Management approach and the requirement to collaborate.

Addressing the cultural divide requires fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. By educating all team members and the Business Visionary about Agile Project Management principles, which emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and collective ownership of project outcomes, the Project Manager can help shift the team's mindset towards a more unified approach. This briefing should highlight the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of working together towards common goals, thus addressing the underlying issues contributing to the 'them and us' culture. Encouraging open communication and collaboration as fundamental components of the Agile approach can help break down barriers and build a more cohesive team.

In the context of the DSDM lifecycle, the Investigation stage of a Timebox is crucial for understanding and defining the work to be done, which often necessitates close collaboration with business representatives such as the Business Ambassador. This role is integral in ensuring that the project's outputs align with business needs and priorities. Planning the Investigation stage around the Business Ambassador's availability facilitates this essential engagement, making it a suitable application of the DSDM lifecycle. This approach ensures that the project benefits from the Business Ambassador's insights and guidance during critical early phases, contributing to a stronger alignment between project deliverables and business requirements.

References:The Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) framework, which incorporates DSDM principles, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the project team and business stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. The involvement of the Business Ambassador during the Investigation stage is particularly valuable for clarifying requirements, setting priorities, and ensuring that the project remains focused on delivering business value, in line with Agile and DSDM practices.

C. Independent Testing

A. Collaborative Testing

B. Repeatable Testing

D. Prioritised Testing

D. Prioritised Testing

Short Comprehensive Explanation:

Independent Testing is appropriate when someone from a different department (Finance) with no involvement in the development process conducts the testing to ensure an objective view.

Collaborative Testing involves various stakeholders, in this case, the Sales Manager and the solution tester, working together to review and test a prototype, promoting early feedback and shared understanding.

Repeatable Testing is used for security testing where predefined test scripts (provided by the bank) are applied to ensure the system meets specific security standards and can be repeated as needed.

Prioritised Testing is essential when the project's stability and core functionality, such as the website's capacity to handle new features, must be confirmed before other tests are conducted to ensure the most critical aspects are addressed first.

Again, Prioritised Testing is used to ensure that the essential requirements (Must Haves and Should Haves) are tested and validated before moving on to less critical ones (Could Haves), aligning with prioritization in Agile methodologies.

References:The Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) framework and principles, as detailed in the AgilePM® Practitioner documents and learning resources, guide the application of these testing concepts within an Agile project environment. These resources emphasize the importance of iterative development, stakeholder collaboration, and prioritization of work to ensure project success and alignment with business needs. Specific references to testing approaches and their application within Agile projects can be found in the official AgilePM® handbook and practitioner-level training materials available through APMG International and affiliated training providers.

Here are the DSDM Principles that would most help to reduce or mitigate the listed risks:

The ‘Hoy for Hoy Hall’ Action Group may cause delay to the project if they are not kept updated on how the finished rooms are going to look.

G. Communicate continuously and clearly

Timber Tigers will ensure that the front rooms are finished and approved by the end of Timebox A.

E. Build incrementally from firm foundations

The Architecture Angels IT support team may require more detail up front in order to approve the initial design for the new online reservation system.

A. Focus on the business need

The morale of the Solution Development Team may be adversely affected if the external web design specialist is not a team player.

C. Collaborate

Empowering the Solution Development Team to manage themselves on a day-to-day basis may result in the Project Manager losing sight of what activities are being carried out, by whom and when.

H. Demonstrate control

The two items that the Workshop Facilitator should be provided with when preparing for the workshop are:

•B. An understanding of the decision-making process. This will help the facilitator guide the discussion and help the group reach a consensus.

•C. Background to the disagreement and the reasons for this. This will help the facilitator understand the context of the disagreement and facilitate a more effective discussion.

Please note that while hints and tips on how to influence and persuade others (option A), empowerment to discuss any wider project issues that may arise during the workshop (option D), and a step-by-step guide to running an effective workshop (option E) could be helpful, they are not as crucial as understanding the decision-making process and the background to the disagreement for this specific workshop.

The Facilitator should invite the following two individuals to participate in the Workshop:

D. IT Operations Manager (Solution Development Team) E. Marketing Director (Business Visionary)

The rationale for this selection is that the disagreement is between the Marketing Director, who wants the reservation system to have professional photos and video tours (which impacts how the system will be used by potential customers and affects marketing strategy), and the IT Operations Manager, who is concerned with the system's technical limitations and maintenance. Both of these individuals are key to resolving the issue at hand, as they represent the conflicting requirements that need to be reconciled for the project to move forward.

The two statements that explain why the Architecture Angels' Finance Director would be an appropriate Business Sponsor are:

C. Is the project budget holder. D. Is concerned about preventing the costs of refurbishment from escalating and affecting the operations of the company.

Rationale:

•C: Being the project budget holder, the Finance Director has a clear overview of the financial aspects of the project, which is crucial for the role of Business Sponsor. They are responsible for the financial governance of the project, ensuring that the project remains viable and delivers value for money.

•D: A key responsibility of a Business Sponsor is to safeguard the project from going over budget. The Finance Director's concern for preventing cost escalation is aligned with this responsibility, as they would work to balance the financial constraints with the project objectives.

Options A, B, and E do not directly relate to the role's responsibilities and do not support why the Finance Director would be suitable for the Business Sponsor role in an Agile context.