PMI Updated PMI-ACP Exam Questions and Answers by abdulrahman

The correct answer is D – Planning poker.

Planning poker is a consensus-based estimation technique commonly used in Agile projects. During this technique, team members discuss user stories, clarify details, and independently assign story points. The facilitator (often the Scrum Master) ensures balanced participation. This process encourages team collaboration and reduces estimation bias.

From the PMI Agile Practice Guide:

“Planning poker is a common estimation technique where team members discuss the story, then individually provide estimates using a card deck, reaching consensus over multiple rounds.”

(PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 5.3 – Estimation Techniques)

Mike Griffiths adds:

“Planning poker is based on Wideband Delphi and allows teams to converge on estimates through discussion and consensus. It is particularly useful for relative estimation of story points.”

(Mike Griffiths, PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book, Chapter 5 – Adaptive Planning)

Why other options are incorrect:

A (Lessons learned) applies to retrospective activities, not estimation.

B (Wideband Delphi) is the foundation of planning poker but is more formal and anonymous.

C (Formal point counting) is not a standard Agile estimation technique.

Answer: D

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The ideal way to resolve the conflict is to encourage the team to brainstorm and propose an alternative solution that meets the intent of the architect’s request (error logging) but with a solution that fits within the current release timeline. By implementing error logging at the client level, the team can still address the monitoring and logging needs without significantly delaying the release. This approach fosters collaboration, balances priorities, and focuses on delivering value within the agreed timeline.

Agile relies on regular retrospectives to reflect, adapt, and implement improvements. According to the PMI Agile Practice Guide (Section 5.6 Retrospectives), teams should continuously inspect their process and collectively own the changes needed to improve. This supports a culture of learning and accountability.

Mike Griffiths in the PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book (Chapter 7: Continuous Improvement) encourages frequent retrospectives that include open discussion and shared responsibility for change implementation.

Option A is correct: holding retrospectives and collaborating on actions promotes ownership and progress.

Option B neglects process change.

Option C limits transparency and team collaboration.

Option D addresses trust but not the recurring problems.

Even if a team is high-performing and stable, the Scrum Master’s role remains valuable in facilitating continuous improvement, removing impediments, and protecting agile principles. However, in mature teams, a Scrum Master can support other teams or initiatives while still offering guidance to the original team.

The PMI Agile Practice Guide (Section 3.3: Agile Roles) and Mike Griffiths’ PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book (Chapter 3: Team Performance) both emphasize that Scrum Masters evolve into more strategic, cross-team roles as teams mature.

Option A is correct: it reflects a strategic redeployment of a seasoned Scrum Master while maintaining light support to the current team.

Option B risks losing agile momentum and undermines continuous improvement.

Option C and D confuse roles—Scrum Master and Product Owner must remain distinct.