Are you preparing for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam? Preparing for this challenging exam can be a daunting task, but we are here to help.
We have compiled a huge selection of free PMI-ACP sample questions released from the PMI-ACP exam simulator to help you gain a better understanding of agile project experience and to prepare for the exam.
In addition, you’ll find the answers and detailed explanations to each question that outline why certain answers are correct and others are incorrect. By studying our material, you’ll understand the concepts in more depth, which will build your confidence and help you pass the PMI ACP Certification Exam on your first try.
When implementing Agile Project Management, risk management that occurs simply by following Agile best practices such as iterative planning and review activities is called?
A. Inherent risk management
B. Organic risk management
C. Overt risk management
D. Intrinsic risk management
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
On Agile projects, risk management concepts that are employed can be classified as either ‘Organic’ or ‘Overt’. Organic risk management is risk management that occurs simply by following Agile best practices such as iterative planning and review activities
Overt risk management refers to implementing specific strategies in order to identify, assess and mitigate the risks on your Agile project by using specific Agile Risk Management tools and techniques. Some examples of Overt Risk Management concepts are the use of Risk-Based Spikes, Risk-Adjusted Backlogs and Risk Burndown Charts.
Reference: The Software Project Manager’s Bridge to Agility, Michele Sliger and Stacia Broderick, 2011.
Which of the following Agile meetings is process-oriented?
A. Iteration Planning
B. Iteration Review
C. Iteration Demonstration
D. Iteration Retrospective
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Iteration Retrospective is a process-oriented Agile project team meeting that is held at the end of each iteration. Its purpose is to explicitly reflect on the most significant events that have occurred during the current iteration in order to make decisions on how to improve processes during the next iteration.
Reference: Iteration Retrospective Activity: Turn the Tables, Marc Nazarian, 2013, www.scrumalliance.org.
Agile team members reported that they were unable to complete all user stories that they had committed to deliver in the last sprint since they had worked overtime and eventually got burned out. What is wrong with the team approach?
A. Nothing is wrong. Maintaining a constant pace indefinitely is more important than missing a sprint goal.
B. The team approach is wrong. The team should fulfill and be held accountable for their commitment.
C. Nothing is wrong. To maintain good working relationships with the team, the product owner should not hold the team accountable.
D. The team approach is wrong. Maintaining a constant pace indefinitely has a different meaning that is not applicable in this scenario.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Agile Manifesto should not be used as an excuse for not completing the committed sprint goal. The team should be held accountable for their work.
Reference: Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition, Lyssa Adkins, 2010, Coaching Product Owners on Getting Good at the Role
Emotional Intelligence is an extremely important interpersonal skill that each Agile team member should possess. In terms of the social awareness aspects of Emotional Intelligence, which of the following statements is true?
A. Social Awareness is characterized by the use of self-confidence
B. Social Awareness is characterized by the use of influence
C. Social Awareness is characterized by the use of self-control
D. Social Awareness is characterized by the use of empathy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
When utilizing the interpersonal skill of Emotional Intelligence on an Agile project, Social Awareness is characterized by the use of empathy in order to understand the perspective of the person with whom you are interacting and communicating.
Reference: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Daniel Goleman, 2005.
In general, metrics can be defined as quantitative parameters or measures that can be used to track performance or production. As “metrics” relate specifically to Agile project management, they can only be considered “valuable” to the Agile team if they are used to “measure” the progress of the delivered product, the efficiency of the project as a whole, and the efficiency of the Agile project team. All of the following are metrics used in Agile except:
A ) Real Time
B ) Velocity
C ) Escaped defects
D ) Cycle time
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Velocity, Escaped Defects and Cycle Time are all metrics that are used in Agile Project Management. Real Time is an Agile estimation "sizing unit" that refers to the actual time during each day that the team members are available and are productively working on specific Agile project tasks.
Reference: The Art of Agile Development, James Shore, 2007.
Agile project teams often use a collection of values, principles and practices to aid in the Agile software development process. What is the term used to describe this collection?
A ) Agile Prototyping
B ) Agile Analytics
C ) Agile Modeling
D ) Agile Diagnostics
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Agile Modeling is a tool that Agile project teams often use to create models for Agile software development, and is a collection of values, principles and practices.
Reference: Agile Modeling: Effective Practices for eXtreme Programming and the Unified Process, Scott Ambler, 2002.
On your Agile project you have just completed the creation of a potentially shippable product increment. The time it took to create this product increment is referred to as?
A) Actual Time
B ) Cycle Time
C) Lead Time
D) Real Time
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Cycle Time refers to the time it takes (from beginning to end) to complete the creation of a potentially shippable product increment.
Reference: Agile Project Management with Scrum, Ken Schwaber, 2004.
You are a Product Owner working on an agile software development project and you have brought all the Scrum team members together for the first Iteration Planning meeting. You read the user stories to the team, and they have provided estimates to complete these user stories. You have promised to leave them alone during the iteration to get the work done and they have agreed to complete the work 100% according to the definition of done. What is this an example of?
A) Two-way communication
B ) Reciprocal commitment
C) Bi-partisan agreement
D) Emotional intelligence
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
This is an example of Reciprocal Commitment, where the Agile project team commits to delivering the specified functionality 100 % according the definition of done at the end of the iteration, and the product owner, organization and customer agree not to change priorities during the iteration and leave the team alone to "do the work".
Reference: Agile Game Development with Scrum, Clinton Keith, 2010.
One of the major tools and techniques used in Lean Software Development is value stream mapping. What is the primary purpose of value stream mapping?
A) To improve business processes
B ) To identify and eliminate waste
C) To ensure product quality
D) To increase customer value
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The single most important goal of using Value Stream Mapping is to identify and eliminate waste.
Reference: Theory of Constraints, Eliyahu M. Goldratt, 1984
An agile practitioner has developed a prioritized matrix that describes which product features will be delivered in each release over time. What has the agile practitioner created?
A. The product vision statement
B. A product wireframe
C. The product roadmap
D. A product theme
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A product roadmap is a prioritized matrix that describes product features that the team will deliver in each release over time.
Exam Reference: Agile Practice Guide, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 52; see also Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products - 2nd Edition, Jim Highsmith, 2009, Product Roadmap.
At the daily standup meeting, the agile team has raised an impediment where one of the developers has been withdrawn from the team by the developer’s line manager to complete their previously committed tasks from another project. As the result, the team will be unable to meet their sprint goal. What should have been done differently to avoid this impediment?
A. The team should have considered human resources availability while planning the sprint.
B. The team should have worked faster during the sprint before the developer has been withdrawn.
C. The team should have added buffers to each user story to account for the unknown risks.
D. The line manager should have not let the developer go to work on the agile project in the first place
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Prioritization of work is not solely based on the customer value. There are other factors to consider, such as risks, dependencies between user stories, and people’s availability, to name the few.
Reference: Exploring Scrum: The Fundamentals, 2nd Edition, Dan Rawsthorne with Doug Shimp, 2013, Prioritization Factors
An agile coach suggests that a lean product development team use a value stream mapping technique in their continuous improvement efforts. What is the primary purpose of this technique?
A. Improving and applying consistent coding standards
B. Identifying and eliminating non-essential process tasks or activities to decrease cycle time
C. Ensuring only the highest value and highest quality deliverables are produced
D. Creating a visual map of a process that can be used by other teams to build value for their customers
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Value stream mapping is used to break down and map a multi-step process with the goal of identifying those tasks or activities that cause unnecessary delay and inefficiency. The identification and elimination of these non-value added activities decrease cycle times and improve the overall process efficiency.
Exam Reference: PMI-ACP Exam Prep, 2nd Edition: A Course in a Book for Passing the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Exam, Mike Griffiths, 2012, Value stream mapping
What is the Agile term for the technique of creating a group of rules that govern how team members interact?
A) Standard Operating Procedures
B ) Teaming Agreements
C) Working Agreements
D) Rules of Engagement
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Working Agreements is an Agile Project Management term that refers to the standards that each Agile team defines (by consensus) to outline the specific rules for how the team will work together during the course of the project. They are normally considered a 'verbal contract', and should be displayed as an information radiator in the team’s Commons space. These are sometimes referred to as Rules of Engagement on non-Agile projects. Teaming Agreements are contractual arrangements between two or more entities to form a partnership or joint venture for the duration of a project. Standard Operating Procedures are used in both Project Management and Organizational Management and are not specific to Agile.
Reference: Agile Project Management with Scrum, Ken Schwaber, 2004
What type of planning describes the technique of applying incremental delivery cycles to perform the work on an Agile project?
A) Rolling Wave Planning
B ) Adaptive Planning
C) Progressive Planning
D) Incremental Planning
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Adaptive planning is a technique that employs iterative development cycles in order to produce incremental product deliverables and allows you to adapt your project plans based on the current reality that surrounds and affects your Agile project. Rolling Wave Planning is a form of Progressive Elaboration that focuses more on the near term plans and rolls into the longer term as more information becomes available about the project requirements. Progressive Planning and Incremental Planning are not terms associated with Agile product development.
Reference: Agile Almanac - Book 1: Single-Team Projects and Exam Prep, John Stenbeck, 2015
During a retrospective meeting after a failed sprint, emotions run high as the team members blame each other for the failure. Phrases like “He always forgets to check in his code!” or “You never listen to what I have to say!” predominate this heated debate. What is the first thing that an experienced agile coach should do in such a situation?
A) Sit back for a while and observe the team members
B ) Intervene immediately to avoid further harm
C) Call in a human resources department representative
D) Start a coaching session with the team members
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Sitting back and observing the team members’ may be interpreted as a lack of action. However, as a first step, it is important for an experienced agile coach to sufficiently observe the situation.
Reference: Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition, Lyssa Adkins, 2010, Levels of Conflict
Alistair Cockburn created the Crystal Family of Agile Methods, all of whose names contain colors of quartz crystals taken from geology. What two characteristics of an Agile project are used to determine the color of the Crystal method that should be implemented?
A) Size and complexity
B ) Duration and complexity
C) Size and criticality
D) Duration and criticality
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Crystal comes from Alistair Cockburn’s characterization of projects along the two dimensions of “size” (meaning the size of the project team) and “criticality” (meaning the damage that will be caused if the developed product or system fails).
Reference: Crystal Clear – A Human-Powered Methodology for Small Teams, Alistair Cockburn, 2004.
When it comes to estimating the requirements on your Agile projects, there are three different “Sizing Units” that can be used to determine the size (referring here specifically to “Level of Effort”) of your Agile project requirements (referring here specifically to “user stories”), and the specific tasks to meet those requirements. Which of the Following is not recognized as a “unit” that can be used for estimating the size of the requirements on your Agile project?
A) Real time
B ) Relative size
C) Ideal time
D) Ideal size
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
"When it comes to estimating the effort to complete the requirements on your Agile projects, there are three different “Sizing Units” that can be used:
Real Time, which is sometimes called Real Days or Actual Days. This refers to the actual time during each day that the team members are available and are productively working on specific Agile project tasks.
Ideal Time, or Ideal Days, where you make the assumption that your Agile project team members will have no interruptions in their work, such as checking email or attending meetings and will be 100% productive every hour of every day.
Relative Size, which is the recommended “sizing unit” to use for requirements size estimation on your Agile project. This sizing unit allows you to estimate the “level of effort” a user story will take to complete, relative to the other user stories you will be performing on your Agile project.
Ideal Size is not a recognized sizing unit for estimating the level of effort to complete an Agile project requirement."
Reference: Agile Estimating and Planning, Mike Cohn, 2005.
Which of the following techniques is considered most effective when used as a method for project team members to generate ideas for solving problems or meeting open-ended challenges?
A) Brainstorming
B ) Fist of Five
C) Free-For-All
D) Silent Idea Generation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
There are three types of techniques that Agile project teams can use for solving problems or meeting open-ended challenges. These are Brainstorming, Free-For-All and Silent Idea Generation. Of these three techniques, Brainstorming is considered the most effective. Fist of Five is a technique used in Agile estimation.
Reference: PMI-ACP and Certified Scrum Professional Exam Prep and Desk Reference, John Stenbeck, 2011.
Which of the following is an example of a continuous process improvement ceremony on an Agile Project?
A) Release Planning Meeting
B ) Iteration Retrospective Meeting
C) Product Demonstration Meeting
D) Iteration Planning Meeting
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Although Continuous Process Improvement should always be on the minds of all Agile project team members, the Iteration Retrospective Meeting is a formal ceremony used in Agile. This event is held at the end of each iteration where lessons learned during the iteration are reviewed, and specific plans of action are implemented during the very next iteration to prevent these issues from occurring again on the project.
Reference: Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great, Esther Derby, Diana Larsen, 2006.
A new scrum team is looking to improve its process for their next project. Which approach would an agile practitioner say is most likely to help the team improve its process?
A. Adopt the process used by the most successful team in the organization
B. Tailor the process for the new project
C. Focus on 'work not done' and reflection
D. Consult with the scrum master and the project sponsor
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Simplicity and reflection are core agile practices. Simplicity, "the art of maximizing the amount of work not done", is one of the Agile Manifesto principles. Reflection is in the center of iteration retrospectives aimed to improve the team's process and performance. Focusing on reflection and simplicity will most likely help the team improve its process, making this the best answer to the question asked.
Reference: Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products - 2nd Edition, Jim Highsmith, 2009, Chapter 5: An Agile Project Management Model, Selecting and Integrating Practices
An Agile artifact that describes the incremental nature of how a product will be built and delivered over time, along with the important factors that drive each individual release is called?
A) Product Vision Statement
B ) Product Wireframe
C) Product Roadmap
D) Product Theme
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A Product Roadmap is an Agile artifact that describes the incremental nature of how a product will be built and delivered over time, along with the important factors that drive each individual release.
Reference: The Art of Agile Development, James Shore, Shane Warden, 2007.
The Value Stream Mapping process has four distinct steps. Which of the following is not a recommended step in the Value Stream Mapping process?
A) Define the current state
B ) Describe the opportunity
C) Identify the value stream target
D) Depict the desired future state
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The four distinct steps in the Value Stream Mapping process are (in order); 1) Identify the value stream target, 2) Define the current state, 3) Clarify the opportunity, and 4) Depict the desired future state. Describing the Opportunity is not a valid Value Stream Mapping process step.
Reference: Seeing the Whole: Mapping the Extended Value Stream, Daniel T. Jones, James P. Womack, 2002.
What type of Agile contract allows the customer to terminate the contract at any time on the project if they do not see any added value?
A) Agile Iteration Contract
B ) Agile Time and Materials Contract
C) Agile Phased Development Contract
D) Agile Early Termination Contract
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
An Agile Time and Materials contract allows the customer to terminate the contract at any time on the project if they do not see any added value.
Reference: Big AGILE Toolkit, Martin Leonard, 2011.
Agile project management and product development uses several different types of documents specific to each iteration, which are referred to as "artifacts". All of the following are Agile iteration artifacts except:
A) Iteration Vision Statement
B ) Iteration Backlog
C) Iteration Plan
D) Iteration Burnup Chart
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The four main artifacts used in Agile project management and product development are the Iteration Plan, Iteration Backlog, Iteration Burndown Charts and Iteration Burnup Charts. The only type of "vision statement" used as an artifact in Agile is the Product Vision Statement. The "Iteration Vision Statement" is a completely fake term that we made up for this question.
Reference: The Software Project Manager's Bridge to Agility, Michele Sliger & Stacia Broderick, 2008.
FDD/TDD - Which of the following is an Agile Modeling tool that can be used in conjunction with different Agile methods?
A) Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
B ) Feature Driven Development (FDD)
C) Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
D) Test Driven Development (TDD)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Feature Driven Development (FDD) and Adaptive Software Development (ASD) are all Agile development methods. Test Driven Development (TDD) is an Agile Modeling tool that can be used in conjunction with other Agile methods.
Reference: Test-Driven Development by Example, Kent Beck, 2003.
Traditional Project Management uses a Work Breakdown structure to develop requirements in terms of activities. What type of breakdown structure is used in Agile for this purpose?
A) Feature Breakdown Structure
B ) Product Breakdown Structure
C) Activity Breakdown Structure
D) Theme Breakdown Structure
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
A Feature Breakdown Structure is an Agile artifact that displays the backlog of features for each of the releases on an Agile project.
Reference: The Software Project Manager's Bridge to Agility, Michele Sliger, Stacia Broderick, 2008.
Product defects reported by the customer that have escaped all software quality processes are called?
A) Primary Defects
B ) Escaped Defects
C) Secondary Defects
D) Undetected Defects
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Escaped Defects are those defects reported by the customer that have escaped all software quality processes, and are usually pointed out by the customer during the Iteration Review meeting.
Reference: www.agilebok.org
Who is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Product Roadmap?
A) Project Manager
B ) Product Manager
C) Scrum Master
D) Product Owner
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The primary responsibility of the Product Owner on an Agile project is to represent the business, which includes the creation and maintenance of several Agile artifacts. The Product Owner is responsible for the creation of the Product Vision Statement, the creation and ongoing maintenance of the Product Roadmap, and the creation and ongoing maintenance of Product Backlog, which is commonly referred to as 'Product Backlog Grooming'.
Reference: Agile Project Management for Dummies, Mark Layton, 2015
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