PMI-ACP Exam Questions Instant Access - No Installation Required

Question 1

An agile coach has been hired to improve the performance and quality of developed software. The coach performed an analysis of the software and discovered an excessive number of escaped defects, leading to external failures.

How can the agile coach effectively address and correct defects in the software development process while maintaining predictability and keeping workloads within capacity?

AWork with the team to create explicit rules such as coding and quality standards and testing policies.

BDiscipline the team members and institute status meetings with penalties for any future escaped defects.

CHire more generalized specialists because the current team members cannot keep up with the pace.

DApply work in process (WIP) limits so the developers are not pressured to release code that is problematic.

Answer : A

The most effective way to address and correct defects while maintaining predictability and capacity is by working with the team to establish clear coding and quality standards, as well as comprehensive testing policies. By setting these explicit rules, the team will have a shared understanding of the quality expectations and testing requirements, which will help prevent defects from escaping into production. This approach focuses on building quality into the process, rather than reacting to defects after they occur, and supports the long-term goal of improving software quality and predictability without overburdening the team.

Question 2

A team member does not understand what the project risks are or the impact that they could have.

How should an Agile leader communicate risks in a way that the team will understand?

ACreate a RAG chart (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) that identifies who is accountable for each risk.

BCreate a Gantt chart that includes slack to accommodate for unknowns.

CCreate a communications management plan that details who is responsible for communicating risks.

DCreate a risk burndown chart showing the reduction of risks over time.

Answer : D

The correct answer is D -- Create a risk burndown chart showing the reduction of risks over time.

In Agile, risk management is integrated into each iteration. A risk burndown chart is a visual information radiator that tracks the total risk exposure and how it changes over time, making risk transparent and easy for the team to understand.

From the PMI Agile Practice Guide:

''A risk burndown chart can be used to communicate the decreasing level of project risk over time and encourage discussion on risk mitigation strategies.''

(PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 6.4 -- Risk Management)

Mike Griffiths also states:

''Agile teams use tools like risk burndown charts to visualize risks and track mitigation. They provide real-time understanding of current and remaining risks.''

(Mike Griffiths, PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book, Chapter 6 -- Problem Detection and Resolution)

Other options:

A is a responsibility assignment matrix (not risk-focused).

B and C are traditional (predictive) methods and don't align with Agile risk communication.

Answe r: D

Question 3

An e-commerce company acquired a tool to customize subject line generation for marketing campaigns. In sprint planning, the team discussed integrating this tool with the customer relationship management system.

Which mitigation strategy is most appropriate to ensure the final product meets the business objectives? (Refer to the Risk Register Exhibit)

AConduct thorough requirements analysis and validation.

BAllocate experienced developers and perform code reviews.

CPlan for sufficient support resources post-deployment.

DDevelop comprehensive testing involving the quality assurance team.

Answer : A

In this case, the risk description for 'Incomplete requirements specification' has been identified as a high likelihood and high impact risk. To mitigate this, the most appropriate strategy would be to conduct thorough requirements analysis and validation. This ensures that the integration of the new tool with the customer relationship management system aligns with the business objectives and avoids misunderstandings or gaps in the product requirements, which could cause delays or rework later in the project. This step addresses the core challenge of ensuring the product meets the business needs and integrates smoothly with existing systems.

Question 4

Stakeholders have conflicting requirements, and the product owner is struggling to decide which user stories to write. What should the product owner do?

AAsk the agile practitioner to help write the user stories.

BAsk the agile team to facilitate a story-writing workshop.

CAsk subject matter experts (SMEs) to help write the user stories.

DAsk the agile practitioner to facilitate a story-writing workshop.

Answer : D

The correct answer is D --- Ask the agile practitioner to facilitate a story-writing workshop.

When stakeholders have conflicting inputs, a collaborative approach such as a story-writing workshop enables the team to converge on a shared understanding. The agile practitioner (Scrum Master or Agile Coach) plays a key role in facilitating these sessions to ensure productive dialogue and alignment.

PMI Agile Practice Guide explains:

''Facilitated workshops, including story-writing workshops, help surface differences in stakeholder needs and create alignment through structured collaboration. Agile practitioners often lead these sessions to ensure neutrality and focus.''

(PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 5.2 --- Backlog Refinement)

Mike Griffiths' book adds:

''Agile practitioners support product owners in building and refining the backlog, especially when multiple viewpoints or conflicts exist. Facilitated workshops ensure transparency and a collaborative environment.''

(PMI-ACP Exam Prep, Chapter 3 -- Value-Driven Delivery)

Incorrect options:

A is incorrect because the practitioner's role is to facilitate, not write the stories.

B is a good idea, but the product owner should not delegate facilitation to the team.

C may assist with clarification but won't help resolve conflict or prioritize across stakeholders.

Answe r: D

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Question 5

What should the agile team do?

AAdhere to the new deadline and immediately advise the client that the schedule has been expedited.

BAdvise the client that it is best to continue as planned rather than introduce unforeseen risks by expediting the schedule.

CSubmit a change request to the client with a 50% increase in charges due to the new potential profit.

DRequest additional resources to meet the expedited deadline and obtain training for the new resources.

Answer : A

Agile teams embrace change and collaborate with customers to deliver value. The PMI Agile Practice Guide (Section 2.1: Agile Mindset) supports responding to change---even late in the development cycle---if it results in business value. The team should accept the new goal, replan with the product owner, and adjust scope or priority if needed, rather than resist or escalate.

Option A is correct: it reflects the agile value of responding to change and delivering early value.

Option B is too rigid and contrary to agile principles.

Option C implies a punitive model that does not align with collaborative agile contracts.

Option D introduces unnecessary cost and overhead without first trying to replan collaboratively.

Question 6

A scrum team is working together virtually. One of the team members sends a daily email to the other team members listing impediments that they find. During retrospective meetings, the team member complains that their colleagues fail to take actions on the impediments.

How should the team address this issue?

AThe team member that is complaining should talk individually with the scrum master to remove impediments.

BThey should ask for more details about the impediments and then resolve them when the team has more time to investigate.

CThe team member that is complaining should address the impediments in daily scrum, communicating them directly.

DTeam members should state that they need to prioritize their work instead of responding to daily emails about impediments.

Answer : C

The daily scrum is the appropriate forum for team members to raise and discuss any impediments or blockers they are facing. By addressing the impediments directly in the daily scrum, the team can collaborate and work together to find solutions in real time. This ensures that issues are identified early and are dealt with in a timely manner. Relying solely on emails for communication can lead to missed opportunities for immediate resolution and may cause frustration, as seen in this case. Encouraging the team member to raise the impediments during the daily scrum will help ensure they are addressed quickly and effectively.

Question 7

A business analyst has been assigned to optimize a process to deliver healthcare services to patients in a clinic. In creating a value stream map, what will the business analyst's key observations include?

AProcess breakdowns and workflow

BWait times and cycle times

CProcess maps and story points

DActivity sequences and earned value (EV)

Answer : B

A value stream map is a tool used to visualize the flow of materials and information through a process, identifying areas of waste and inefficiency. In this case, the business analyst's key observations will include wait times (delays between steps) and cycle times (time taken to complete each step in the process). By analyzing these, the business analyst can identify opportunities to streamline the process, reduce delays, and improve overall efficiency in delivering healthcare services.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner PMI-ACP Exam Questions