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

The Pre-Project phase is the stage where it is decided which projects are started, based on a clearly defined objective1. This phase ensures that only the right projects are initiated and that they are set up correctly, aligning with the DSDM philosophy that the best business value emerges when projects are aligned to clear business goals1.

Engagement: Defined as the process of increasing employee and stakeholder involvement in organizational change, engagement ensures commitment and minimizes resistance. It is a key responsibility of change managers to foster this involvement, as outlined in AgilePM principles.

Other Options:

Change Agent: Refers to individuals or teams driving the change process, not the process itself.

Sponsor: Represents leadership roles advocating for change but is not a mechanism for involvement.

Line Leader: Plays a supportive role in change but does not define engagement itself.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Employee Engagement: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.

Statement 1: Correct. Force Field Analysis identifies driving and restraining forces for change, helping to address barriers and resistance.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The analysis should be a collaborative effort involving stakeholders, not solely created by the change manager.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Force Field Analysis as a Tool: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 7, Section 7.2.

Financial: A measurable increase in sales reflects improved financial performance, making it a financial metric. Financial views in a change delivery scorecard often include profitability, revenue growth, and ROI—all of which are influenced by sales increases.

Customer, Internal, Learning & Growth: These are equally important views but do not directly relate to sales performance. For instance:

Customer View: Focuses on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Internal View: Addresses process efficiency.

Learning & Growth View: Pertains to employee development and organizational innovation.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Scorecard and Value Metrics: AgilePM Handbook, Section 2.5.3.

In a free format Timebox, reviews should take place: B. Throughout the body of the Timebox3.

Transparency: Sharing the rationale and timeline for change ensures openness and builds trust among stakeholders. Transparency is fundamental to managing expectations and mitigating resistance.

Other Options:

Inclusivity: Focuses on ensuring all voices are heard.

Connectivity: Refers to fostering relationships.

Empathy: Relates to understanding others’ feelings, not information sharing.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Transparent Communication: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 4, Section 4.2.

According to the DSDM principle ‘Never Compromise Quality,’ the overall level of quality to be delivered within the solution should be agreed at the start of the project5. This principle ensures that quality is not compromised to recover from deviations; instead, the scope of the project will be dynamic6.

Assessing Effectiveness: The measurement methodology helps determine whether communication efforts are achieving their intended goals. Metrics such as engagement levels and feedback are used to refine strategies.

Other Options:

B: Focuses on testing rather than communication.

C: Relates to impact assessment, not methodology.

D: Ensuring understanding is an objective, not a methodology.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Communication Effectiveness: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 4, Section 4.5.

The quality of the evolving solution should be tested as part of the iterative development process4. This approach allows for continuous integration and testing of the solution, ensuring that quality is built into the product from the beginning and maintained throughout the development cycle.

A DSDM team should measure progress: B. Based on what has been delivered at the end of a Timebox5.

The responsibility of the Business Ambassador in AgilePM is to provide day-to-day detail of the requirements during Timeboxes. This role involves representing the interests of the business within the project team, ensuring that the evolving product meets the business needs. The Business Ambassador works closely with the development team to clarify requirements, provide feedback, and make decisions promptly to keep the project on track.

References:

AgilePM Foundation Handbook

"Agile Project Management for Dummies" by Mark C. Layton

Phased Approach: Rolling out change one department at a time reflects a phased delivery strategy, which allows for controlled implementation and adjustment before wider deployment.

Other Options:

A: Big Bang involves simultaneous rollout across the organization.

C: Voluntary Adoption allows individuals to opt in.

D: Incremental/Iterative applies to feature or solution delivery rather than departmental rollout.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Delivery Strategies: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 3, Section 3.7.

Statement 1: Correct. Identifying stakeholders involves analyzing who will be impacted by the change and their level of influence.

Statement 2: Correct. Stakeholder mapping is a tool used to visualize and prioritize stakeholders based on their influence and interest.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Stakeholder Mapping and Identification: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 5, Section 5.5.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): KPIs are agreed-upon metrics that measure progress against desired outcomes. These indicators are crucial for tracking the effectiveness of change efforts.

Other Options:

A: Islands of stability refer to elements unaffected by change.

C: Incremental milestones are checkpoints but not specific measures of outcomes.

D: Transition tranches are phases of change implementation.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Outcome Measurement: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 7, Section 7.5.

Both statements about the Technical Coordinator role in AgilePM are true. The Technical Coordinator provides the same function from a technical perspective as the Business Ambassador does from a business perspective, ensuring that the technical aspects of the project align with the overall business objectives. Additionally, the Technical Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the solution conforms to the requested technical standards, overseeing the technical integrity and quality of the product throughout the development process.

References:

DSDM Agile Project Framework Handbook

"Agile Architecture: Strategies for Scaling Agile Development" by James O. Coplien and Gertrud Bjørnvig

In DSDM, the Minimum Usable Subset refers to the “Must Have” requirements as defined by the MoSCoW prioritization1. This subset ensures that the project delivers the core functionalities that are critical for the system to be considered useful and viable2.

The purpose of the Foundations Summary in AgilePM is to provide enough information to decide whether the project is likely to deliver a return on investment. This document serves as a comprehensive overview of the project's viability, including a high-level understanding of the business case, objectives, scope, and risks. It ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the project's potential value and feasibility before significant resources are committed.

References:

AgilePM Foundation Handbook

"Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products" by Jim Highsmith

 A baseline of the Evolving Solution should be put into operational use during the Deployment phase7. This phase is when the latest increment of the product is put into live use, marking the transition from development to real-world operation.

When using the Iterative Development technique, each cycle should include Thought, Action, and Control. These components ensure that the development process is systematic and reflective. Thought involves planning and considering the next steps, Action is the implementation of those plans, and Control is the evaluation and adjustment based on feedback and results. This iterative cycle helps in refining the product incrementally and ensures continuous improvement.

References:

AgilePM Foundation Handbook

"The Art of Agile Development" by James Shore and Shane Warden

Statement 1: Correct. Leading by example is crucial for inspiring trust and alignment with the change vision. Symbolic actions by leaders play a significant role in fostering engagement.

Statement 2: Incorrect. Change influence is not limited to leaders; team members and change agents can also drive and inspire change.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Role of Leadership in Change: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 6, Section 6.2.

Feedback and Coaching: Sponsors play a critical role in change, and change managers support them by providing feedback and coaching to help them lead effectively. This builds their confidence and ensures alignment with the change vision.

Other Options:

A: Sponsors should prepare the vision themselves.

B: Sponsors themselves lead commitment-building efforts.

D: Protecting sponsors isn’t an effective strategy; engaging them is key.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Sponsor Engagement: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 6, Section 6.2.

The DSDM process can indeed be configured and calibrated to cater for a range of projects, from those requiring light governance to those needing stronger governance1. This flexibility allows the DSDM process to be tailored to the specific needs of the project, ensuring that the right balance between control and agility is achieved1.

DSDM recognizes two styles of Timebox: a structured Timebox and a free format Timebox1. The structured Timebox is the original DSDM-style Timebox, which provides a standard, repeatable internal structure to a Timebox. The free format Timebox allows more flexibility

Supporting and Influencing Local Staff: Line leaders play a vital role in translating the change vision into action at the team level. They understand the specific needs and concerns of their teams and can act as a bridge between staff and senior management.

Other Options:

A: Local decision-making authority is beneficial but not their primary role.

B: Leaders are often deeply impacted by change.

D: Line leaders often juggle multiple responsibilities.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Role of Line Leaders: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 5, Section 5.6.

Communicating the Danger of Inaction: Highlighting risks of not changing amplifies dissatisfaction with the status quo, creating urgency and driving motivation for change.

Other Options:

A: Performance targets align with accountability, not dissatisfaction.

C: Clarifying steps supports action but doesn’t address dissatisfaction.

D: Benefits focus on the positive outcome, not dissatisfaction.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Change Formula Framework: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 6, Section 6.5.

The Project Manager is responsible for the delivery of the project from Foundations through to Deployment1. This role involves high-level coordination of the project, ensuring that both business and technical delivery aspects are managed effectively from the initial phases through to the final deployment1.

Statement 1: Incorrect. Communication plans should be tailored to the specific context of each change initiative, as a one-size-fits-all approach does not work.

Statement 2: Correct. The scale and complexity of change will dictate the content and level of detail in the communication plan.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Tailored Communication Plans: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.