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

The two individuals most suitable for the role of Workshop Facilitator would be:

A. Team Leader E. Project Manager

The rationale for choosing these individuals is that both the Team Leader and the Project Manager are likely to have the necessary skills to facilitate a workshop effectively. They are typically trained to manage team dynamics, guide discussions, remain neutral, and drive towards a resolution. The IT Operations Manager and the Marketing Director are parties to the disagreement and thus would not be appropriate as facilitators due to the potential for bias. The Software Developer is likely to be more involved in the technical aspects rather than facilitation.

The two actions that the Workshop Facilitator should take when preparing for the workshop are:

•A. Ask the Software Developer to provide an estimate of how much storage space would be required to hold photos and videos. This will provide a factual basis for the discussion about the system’s content and its storage requirements.

•B. Invite the Marketing Director to create a summary of the content they believe the system should hold and why. This will ensure that the Marketing Director’s perspective and requirements are clearly understood by all participants in the workshop.

Please note that while the IT Operations Manager, Software Developer, and the Facilitator themselves (options C, D, and E) could contribute valuable input to the workshop, these actions are not necessarily part of the Facilitator’s role in preparing for the workshop. The Facilitator’s role is to guide the discussion, not to assign ownership of the workshop, prepare the agenda, or form opinions on the content.

For each action in Column 1, here is the iterative development activity that the action represents from Column 2:

The Solution Development Team cleared and prepared the area, ready for the bar infrastructure to be installed.

B. Action

The Gardener decided the order in which the flowers would be planted in the borders and jotted it down in a notebook.

A. Thought

Before the Solution Development Team built the infrastructure for the bar area, the Architect pointed out what was required.

C. Conversation

The Architect checked with the decorators that tasks had been completed to a satisfactory standard, and agreed a list of items that needed further coats of paint or cleaning up.

C. Conversation

The Gardener began planting the borders and has placed an order for further bulbs to complete this task.

B. Action

In the context of Agile Project Management when developing the Solution Architecture Definition (SAD), the two statements that are appropriate are:

A. Paper-based drawings are to be used for each option being considered for the building and gardens.

C. The Architecture Angels' Marketing Director can request a SAD to illustrate the achievability of complex elements of the solution.

Here's the rationale:

•A: Agile methodologies support the use of simple and understandable tools that can quickly convey ideas and be easily changed. Paper-based drawings align with this by providing a flexible and adaptable way to represent different options, which can be rapidly modified in response to feedback.

•C: It is important for the Marketing Director, who understands the market and customer needs, to request clarification on complex elements to ensure that the proposed solutions are feasible and aligned with customer expectations. This contributes to creating a solution that is viable both technically and from a business perspective.

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.

For the XAN Insurance Company Web Project, the Development Approach Definition document should outline the methodologies, tools, and techniques to be used during the development process of the project. It focuses on how the project will be executed in terms of technical and management practices.

Selected Statements for the Development Approach Definition:

C. An easy to use web development tool called 'WebMatrix' is to be used to develop and maintain the website extension.

E. Accessibility and performance of the new online quotation area is to be tested using a tool called Sitebeam.

C. This statement directly specifies a tool (WebMatrix) that will be used for web development and maintenance in the project. It is a clear choice regarding the technical approach and infrastructure, making it suitable for inclusion in the Development Approach Definition.

E. Mentioning Sitebeam as a tool for testing accessibility and performance outlines specific methods for ensuring quality and usability in the development process. It provides actionable information on how testing will be conducted, fitting the criteria for the Development Approach Definition.

Why Other Statements Are Excluded:

A. Introducing an awards or bonus scheme to create competition among sales assistants pertains more to internal sales team management and motivation strategies rather than the technical or methodological approach to developing the project.

B. Comparing traditional telephone sales with online sales is related to the project's performance measurement and post-implementation review, not the development approach or methodology used during the project.

D. The request from the Finance Director for a detailed cost report is related to project financial management and monitoring. While important, it does not detail the technical or methodological approach to developing the project's deliverables.

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.

For the XAN Insurance Company Web Project and considering the Agile Project Management approach, particularly the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) framework which emphasizes business value and active user involvement, the Business Case should justify the project in terms of cost, benefit, and risk.

Selected Statements for the Business Case:

D. The Sales Manager has calculated that the new coffee shop insurance product will increase revenues by 10% each week.

E. Market research shows that the number of coffee shop patrons taking legal action against retailers has increased by 200% over the past two years.

D. This statement provides a clear financial projection for the benefits of the project, which is a critical component of a Business Case. It quantifies the expected revenue increase, offering a tangible benefit to justify the project investment.

E. This statement outlines a market trend that necessitates the project, highlighting the increased demand for insurance due to rising legal actions against coffee shops. It underscores the relevance and timeliness of the project, adding to the justification for undertaking the project.

Why Other Statements Are Excluded:

A. While high-level functional and non-functional requirements are essential for project planning, they typically belong in project requirements documentation or the Project Brief, rather than the Business Case.

B. This statement provides market insight but does not directly justify the project from a cost-benefit-risk perspective. The relevance of selling Fairtrade products and alcohol to the insurance product project is tangential.

C. The request for a report on past sales provides background information but does not in itself justify the project investment. It might be used to inform the Business Case but is not a direct component of it.

To lead the Solution Development Team effectively during the first Structured Timebox, the Project Manager should:

C. Attend the Daily Stand-up and discuss any problems at the end.

Attending the Daily Stand-up meetings allows the Project Manager to stay informed about the team's progress, challenges, and any blockers they might be facing. It offers an opportunity for the Project Manager to provide support, guidance, and decision-making where necessary, without disrupting the team's autonomy and self-organization. This approach encourages open communication, quick resolution of issues, and maintains the Agile principle of collaboration and continuous improvement. Discussing problems at the end of the meeting ensures that any issues are addressed promptly, keeping the Timebox on track.

The most constructive and collaborative action the Web Content Manager should take is:

D. Discuss the issue with the Web Developer and decide what action is required to change this detail.

Direct communication and collaboration between the Web Content Manager and the Web Developer are essential in Agile environments to promptly address misunderstandings or mistakes. Discussing the issue openly allows for a quick resolution and ensures that the final product aligns with the project's requirements. This approach fosters a positive working relationship, encourages shared responsibility for the project's success, and avoids unnecessary delays or conflicts.

For the XAN Insurance Company Web Project, the plan for Post-Project activities should include actions and measures that will be undertaken after the project's deliverables have been implemented to ensure sustained benefits, monitor performance, and facilitate continuous improvement.

Selected Statements for the Plan for Post-Project Activities:

D. A report showing the number of application forms completed online through the website for coffee shop insurance policies will be produced weekly.

E. Once the new system has been deployed, the time it takes to process sales online will be compared with the time it takes to process new policies sold through telephone sales.

D. Producing a weekly report on the number of application forms completed online is a clear post-project activity. It provides ongoing monitoring of the project's impact and the effectiveness of the online system in attracting coffee shop insurance policies.

E. Comparing the processing times of online sales to telephone sales after the new system's deployment is an essential post-project activity. It evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the new online system, offering insights into improvements and adjustments that may be needed.

Why Other Statements Are Excluded:

A. Creating a company-wide email to show the number of policies sold by each sales assistant weekly is more related to internal sales performance monitoring and motivation rather than a specific post-project activity tied to the project's objectives.

B. Circulating a copy of the revised sales procedure before product deployment is a preparation step for the transition to the new system, rather than a post-project activity.

C. The Project Manager attending Daily Stand-up meetings is part of the ongoing project management and team coordination activities during the project, not a post-project activity.

To implement the new Must Have requirement for financial transaction functionality on the coffee shop insurance product website, the Technical Coordinator should focus on actions that align with their role in overseeing the technical aspects of the project. The following actions are most appropriate for the Technical Coordinator:

Selected Actions for the Technical Coordinator:

A. Ensure that the latest version of the website design in the Solution Architecture Definition is provided to all members of the Solution Development Team.

E. Check for any documented standards which need to be applied to the development of online financial transaction functionality.

A. It's crucial for the Technical Coordinator to ensure that the Solution Development Team has access to the most current website design specifications, especially when new functionalities are being added. This ensures consistency and alignment with the overall solution architecture, facilitating effective and efficient development.

E. The Technical Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all technical aspects of the project adhere to relevant standards, including those related to online financial transactions. This involves identifying, understanding, and applying any necessary regulatory, security, and technical standards to the development process, ensuring compliance and functionality.

Why Other Actions Are Less Suitable:

B. Assessing the impact on the original Business Case is typically the responsibility of the Business Sponsor or Project Manager, as it involves financial and strategic considerations beyond the Technical Coordinator's primary focus.

C. Adding tasks to the Timebox Plan is generally a responsibility shared between the Project Manager and the Solution Development Team, with the Technical Coordinator providing input on technical feasibility and requirements.

D. Consolidating and circulating an agenda for the workshop is an important logistical task but may not directly fall under the Technical Coordinator's responsibilities. This task is often handled by the Project Manager or a designated administrative role.