PMP Practice Questions #120
Stakeholders have differing opinions on the completion of a user story in an Agile project, causing confusion. What approach should be taken to align their expectations?
A) Increase sprint meeting frequency for more feedback.
B) Clearly document the details involved in each user story and take sign-off to minimize confusion later.
C) Involve stakeholders more closely in backlog refinement meetings.
D) Establish a Definition of Done (DoD) with criteria agreed by all stakeholders.
Analysis:
The scenario presents a common challenge in Agile project management where stakeholders have varying opinions on the completion criteria of a user story, leading to confusion and misalignment. The goal is to find an approach that harmonizes these differing expectations to ensure clarity, consensus, and smooth progression of the project. The focus shifts towards methods that can foster agreement on what constitutes the completion of a user story, which is crucial for maintaining the project’s momentum and stakeholder satisfaction.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Increase sprint meeting frequency for more feedback. Increasing sprint meeting frequency might enhance feedback opportunities but does not directly address the root cause of differing opinions on user story completion. While more meetings can facilitate better communication, they do not inherently resolve the issue of aligning expectations unless specifically focused on defining completion criteria.
Option B: Clearly document the details involved in each user story and take sign-off to minimize confusion later. Documenting the details of user stories and seeking sign-off is more aligned with traditional project management methodologies and contradicts the Agile value of collaboration over contract negotiation. This approach could stifle the flexibility and adaptability that Agile approaches advocate, especially in responding to changing requirements and stakeholder inputs.
Option C: Involve stakeholders more closely in backlog refinement meetings. Involving stakeholders more closely in backlog refinement meetings is a positive step towards achieving better alignment on project requirement expectations. This approach encourages direct stakeholder engagement in the Agile process, providing a platform for clarifying and negotiating user stories’ acceptance criteria. However, while it increases engagement, it might not fully resolve the issue of defining completion without a clear consensus.
Option D: Establish a Definition of Done (DoD) with criteria agreed by all stakeholders. Establishing a Definition of Done (DoD) with criteria agreed upon by all stakeholders directly targets the issue of aligning expectations on user story completion. The DoD serves as a mutually agreed-upon benchmark that delineates when a user story is considered complete, thereby minimizing confusion and ensuring that all parties have a common understanding of what success looks like for each piece of work.
Conclusion: Given the outlined options, Option D is the most effective strategy for aligning stakeholder expectations regarding the completion of a user story in an Agile project. By establishing a clear and agreed-upon Definition of Done, this approach directly addresses the challenge of differing opinions and fosters a shared understanding among all project stakeholders. It enhances transparency, ensures consistency in the completion criteria, and supports the collaborative spirit of Agile project management.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 8: Plan and manage scope |
Topics Covered
- User Stories
- Acceptance Criteria
- Definition of Done
