Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineProcessMedium
A project manager is leading a project to implement a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. During a sprint review, stakeholders express concern that several key features developed do not fully align with their evolving business needs, despite being based on initial requirements. The project is using an agile approach. What should the project manager do NEXT to address this concern?
- AFacilitate a session with stakeholders and the product owner to refine and re-prioritize the product backlog.
- BInitiate a formal change request to document and approve the modifications to the scope.
- CRe-baseline the project scope to incorporate the new stakeholder requirements.
- DRemind stakeholders that the current features are based on the approved initial requirements document.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Facilitate a session with stakeholders and the product owner to refine and re-prioritize the product backlog.
In an agile environment, evolving requirements are common and managed through continuous interaction and backlog refinement. Facilitating a session to refine and re-prioritize the product backlog is the most appropriate next step.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Formal change requests are less common for evolving requirements in agile; the backlog is the primary mechanism for managing changes.
- C. Re-baselining scope is more typical for predictive approaches or significant, approved changes, not routine agile adjustments.
- D. While factual, this response does not address the stakeholders' current concerns or leverage agile principles for adaptability.
Product Backlog Management
In agile, the product backlog is an ordered list of everything that might be needed in the product. It is dynamic and constantly evolving as new information is learned.
- The Product Owner is responsible for the Product Backlog, including its content, ordering, and availability.
- It is continuously refined and re-prioritized based on feedback and evolving understanding.
- Items at the top of the backlog are typically more detailed and higher priority.
Memory trick: Agile is like a living wish-list, always adapting what's next.