APMG-International AgilePM-Foundation Agile Project Management (AgilePM v3) Foundation Exam v3 update Exam Practice Test

Adjourning: This stage occurs when a team disbands after achieving its objectives. Members reflect on their accomplishments and prepare to move on, often with a sense of closure and satisfaction.

Other Stages:

Forming: Initial stage where the team is being established.

Storming: Involves conflict as roles and expectations are clarified.

Performing: High-functioning stage focused on productivity.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Team Development Stages: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 5, Section 5.4.

Dissatisfaction with the Status Quo: The change formula includes dissatisfaction as a key driver for change. Without sufficient dissatisfaction, the motivation to change is diminished.

Other Options:

B, C, and D: These factors, while important, are not explicitly part of the Beckhard and Harris change formula.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

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

The Business Visionary is responsible for interpreting the needs of the Business Sponsor and communicating these to the team1. This role represents the Business Sponsor by communicating the vision of the project and ensuring that the team understands the sponsor’s requirements1.

Statement 1: Incorrect. Having more data doesn’t guarantee better results; quality and relevance of data matter more.

Statement 2: Correct. External data can provide fresh perspectives and reduce internal biases.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Using Data for Insights: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 7, Section 7.6.

Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose: As outlined by Daniel Pink, these three factors drive motivation in knowledge work, which relies on creativity and engagement. Agile practices support autonomy through self-organizing teams, mastery through continuous learning, and purpose through shared goals.

Other Options: These reflect traditional or outdated models of motivation and do not align with Pink’s framework.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Motivating Teams: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 5, Section 5.7.

The purpose of the Consolidation phase in a structured Timebox is to tie up any loose ends related to Evolutionary Development. This phase involves finalizing all outstanding work, ensuring that the deliverables meet the required quality standards, and preparing the product for acceptance and deployment. It is a critical phase for addressing any minor issues that may have arisen during development and ensuring that the Timebox objectives have been fully achieved.

When information changes frequently, agile favors high-bandwidth, synchronous communication (e.g., video/teleconferences, facilitated sessions) that enables rapid clarification, shared understanding, and immediate adjustment. Static written documents become quickly outdated, encourage lag between change and consumption, and invite misinterpretation without fast feedback loops. Even email, while asynchronous, can be used for rapid, lightweight updates—but it still lacks the immediacy and richness of dialogue. AgilePM stresses visible progress, collaborative workshops, and frequent reviews to keep everyone aligned as facts evolve. Therefore, in a high-change context, a written document is typically the least effective mechanism to keep stakeholders synchronized, whereas live conversations and demonstrations better support timely inspection and adaptation.

DSDM differs from most other Agile approaches because it focuses on the entire project lifecycle456. This includes pre-project, feasibility, foundations, development, and deployment phases, ensuring a comprehensive approach to project management.

Statement 1: Correct. The change curve describes typical emotional responses to change, including denial, resistance, exploration, and commitment.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The change curve applies to both positive and negative changes, as it reflects the adjustment process regardless of the perceived nature of the change.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Emotional Responses to Change: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 6, Section 6.3.

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.

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

Referent Power: This form of power is derived from the personal qualities of the leader, such as charisma, integrity, or ability to inspire, making them a role model for others. AgilePM values leaders who lead by influence rather than authority.

Other Options:

Legitimate: Based on a formal position or title.

Reward: Tied to the ability to offer incentives.

Coercive: Involves using fear or threats, which is not ideal in Agile environments.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Leadership Styles: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 4, Section 4.5.

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.

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.

The Project Approach Questionnaire (PAQ) is a diagnostic tool in AgilePM used to surface approach-based risks early and throughout the project. It examines dimensions such as organizational culture, leadership behaviors, stakeholder engagement, governance expectations, team empowerment, and technical/environmental readiness against AgilePM principles and practices. By assessing these areas, the PAQ highlights misalignments (e.g., low business involvement, decision latency, rigid change control, insufficient empowerment) that could undermine agile delivery. The output informs targeted mitigations—coaching needs, governance adjustments, facilitation plans, risk responses, and communications—embedded into the project approach. It is not a one-off retrospective instrument (contra option C); it is used iteratively to steer the approach. Nor does it “ensure agreement” and “eliminate the need” for other controls (contra option B); instead, it supports informed governance and continuous improvement. Finally, it does not focus solely on technical risks (contra option D); it explicitly covers culture and leadership alongside process and technical considerations.

The DSMD (Dynamic Systems Development Method) principle of “Build incrementally from firm foundations” emphasizes the importance of having a solid understanding of the project’s foundation before proceeding with incremental development. This principle ensures that each increment is built upon a stable base, which supports the overall project integrity and success.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (paraphrased from AgilePM/Agile standards; exact long extracts cannot be provided):

In AgilePM (and broadly across agile practice), functional requirements describe what the solution should do—capabilities, behaviors, and services. By contrast, non-functional requirements (NFRs) describe how well the solution must perform those functions. NFRs encompass performance, reliability, security, usability, accessibility, supportability, maintainability, and other quality attributes that set objective thresholds (e.g., response times, availability targets, encryption standards). They guide architectural choices, testing strategies, and acceptance criteria, and they are essential to protecting quality during timeboxed delivery and MoSCoW prioritization. Testable acceptance checks can and should be derived from NFRs, but “testable requirements” is not the category name for defining performance levels—the recognized term is Non-Functional Requirements. Therefore, the correct option is B.

The application of Principle 8, Demonstrate Control, is collectively applied by the whole team4. This principle ensures that there are proper levels of planning, progress measurement, and reporting in place.

 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.

It is during the Feasibility phase that it is first established whether further investigation of the project is justified3. This phase aims to determine if the proposed project is likely to be feasible from both a technical and business perspective.

Within the Solution Development team, it is not required for all members to be multi-skilled experts1. While a diverse set of skills is beneficial, DSDM emphasizes collaboration and the effective use of individual strengths rather than expecting every team member to be an expert in all areas1.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (concise, policy-compliant):

Scrum rests on empiricism and lean thinking. Empiricism means knowledge comes from experience and evidence, and decisions are made based on what is observed. Scrum implements empiricism through iterative and incremental delivery: short Sprints create frequent opportunities to inspect a usable Increment and adapt the plan based on real results rather than speculation. Iteration reduces risk by enabling rapid learning, early validation of assumptions, and continuous refinement of the Product Backlog. Evidence-based decision-making is reinforced by transparent artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment), a clear Definition of Done, and regular inspection points (Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective). Together, these ensure that planning and prioritization are continuously informed by what has actually been delivered and learned. Therefore, both statements—Scrum is iterative and decisions are evidence-based—are true.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (concise, policy-compliant):

Scrum defines four events within the Sprint: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. When multiple teams collaborate on a common outcome, coordination frequently benefits from an additional, project-level planning event layered around (not replacing) Scrum’s core events. In Agile project environments, a lightweight project planning event brings Product Owner(s), key stakeholders, and representatives from each team together to align intentions, dependencies, and release objectives across teams before teams finalize their own Sprint Plans. This complements, rather than duplicates, each team’s Sprint Planning by creating a shared understanding of priorities and cross-team impacts, enabling teams to enter Sprint Planning with clearer constraints and collaboration points. The Sprint Retrospective focuses on improvement, not forward planning. Hence, the add-on that facilitates cross-team planning is a Project planning event.

Principle 1 – Focus on the Business Need suggests that every decision taken during a project should be viewed in light of the overriding project goal. This principle ensures that all decisions align with the main objective of delivering what the business needs, thus maintaining a clear focus on achieving the project’s goals.

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.

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (paraphrased from DSDM/AgilePM principles):

One of AgilePM’s eight guiding principles is “Never compromise quality.” Quality is fixed and protected: teams define the required level up-front via acceptance criteria, Definition of Done, and non-functional requirements, then manage scope with MoSCoW prioritization to ensure the agreed quality bar is always met. Time and cost are typically fixed through timeboxing and team sizing, while scope flexes to safeguard quality and predictability. This principle prevents trading away essential quality under delivery pressure and ensures increments are genuinely “fit for purpose.” Options A and C are good values but are not stated AgilePM principles, and D contradicts the ethos—agile does commit to quality by making it explicit, measurable, and non-negotiable. Therefore, B is correct.

AgilePM’s control philosophy fixes Time (via timeboxing) and Cost (via stable team size and duration), and protects Quality (it must never be compromised). To keep delivery predictable while remaining responsive to change, contingency is placed in Scope, i.e., Features. Using MoSCoW prioritization, Must Haves are capped, while Shoulds and Coulds provide the controlled flexibility needed to absorb change, manage uncertainty, and still meet deadlines and budgets at the agreed quality level. This approach turns scope into the adjustable “knob,” enabling teams to make informed trade-offs as learning emerges, without eroding the Definition of Done or slipping time/cost constraints. Hence, contingency belongs in Features.

Comprehensive and Detailed 150–300 words Explanation (paraphrased from Scrum & AgilePM practice):

When multiple teams build a single product within one project, effective backlog ownership and value alignment are critical. Scrum practice—and AgilePM when combined with Scrum—supports one Product Owner for the product, even when several teams deliver increments in parallel. A single Product Owner preserves a single ordered Product Backlog, unified priorities, and consistent acceptance criteria, minimizing conflicts and dependency churn. Each team may have its own Scrum Master to optimize facilitation and impediment removal locally, but the essential management mechanism for cross-team coherence is shared product ownership (one Product Owner) paired with lightweight cross-team planning and frequent integration. Splitting into two separate projects (with separate roles) for one product typically fragments value flow and complicates governance. Likewise, mandating different Business Visionaries per team dilutes accountability for the product outcome. Hence, the preferred and most effective approach is that both teams share the same Product Owner to maintain a single value and prioritization voice.

AgilePM advocates collaboration as a core value, stressing “working together towards a shared goal.” Competence in collaboration grows in cultures that remove fear, encourage learning, and align on purpose. A no-blame culture fosters psychological safety so issues surface early and teams can inspect and adapt without defensiveness. Asking for help is encouraged through active business involvement and empowered, multi-disciplinary teams; it reduces decision latency and improves quality. Setting clear goals—e.g., business outcomes, Definition of Done, and prioritized objectives—creates shared focus, enabling constructive cooperation and trade-offs. By contrast, rewarding individual efforts tends to optimize locally, fragment accountability, and discourage knowledge sharing; AgilePM favors team-based achievement and collective ownership. Agile guidance repeatedly links effective collaboration with facilitation, frequent reviews/demonstrations, and visible progress measures that are team-centered, not individualized. Therefore, the options that genuinely build collaboration are 2, 3, and 4, making D correct.

Focus on Benefits: Highlighting the benefits of the change makes the desired end state more attractive, increasing buy-in and reducing resistance. This aligns with the Beckhard and Harris change formula, where the perceived benefits of change must outweigh the dissatisfaction with the status quo and the cost of change.

Other Options:

B: Burning platforms address urgency but don’t directly enhance desirability.

C and D: These are practical measures but don’t necessarily increase desirability.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

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

The Solution Architecture Definition is an evolutionary product that provides a high-level design framework for the solution2. It is intended to cover both business and technical aspects of the solution to a level of detail that makes the scope of the solution clear but does not constrain evolutionary development2. This ensures that the solution architecture supports the business direction and the solution under development will be fit for its intended purpose3

AgilePM distinguishes between increments in terms of what is actually delivered to stakeholders. The emphasis is on a Solution—the integrated outcome that delivers business value—not merely isolated technical outputs. As delivery progresses, teams create Solution Increments that accumulate into a releasable Product (the broader, user-facing capability). This distinction helps align day-to-day development with business outcomes: every increment should be a cohesive slice of the evolving solution that is demonstrably usable or verifiable, while the Product view ensures that increments collectively support release goals and benefits realization. AgilePM’s focus on MoSCoW prioritization and timeboxing supports this by ensuring each Solution Increment contains the right mix of Must/Should/Could features to satisfy acceptance and maintain momentum. In practice, reviews showcase the Solution Increment’s usability to business representatives, while release planning considers how these increments roll up into Product evolution. Therefore, the two types associated with what is delivered are best captured by Solution and Product, making option A the fit with AgilePM terminology and intent.

Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 300 words Explanation From Exact Extract of Agile Project Management (paraphrased to avoid lengthy quotation):

In AgilePM (DSDM), the Team Leader role closely aligns with the facilitative, servant-leadership responsibilities commonly associated with a Scrum Master in Scrum. The Team Leader is accountable for enabling collaborative working, removing impediments, fostering continuous improvement, and protecting the team’s focus within timeboxes—all hallmarks of Scrum Mastery. While titles differ across frameworks, AgilePM explicitly positions Team Leader as the day-to-day lead for the Solution Development Team, emphasizing facilitation, coaching, and ensuring adherence to agreed practices (e.g., MoSCoW prioritization, Definition of Done/quality criteria). By contrast, a Project Manager in AgilePM is a project-level role focused on governance and business case stewardship; a Product Owner (AgilePM’s Business Visionary/Business Ambassador combination) prioritizes value and backlog—this is not a facilitation role; and a Developer focuses on building the solution. Therefore, when mapping roles between Scrum and AgilePM, the Team Leader most naturally substitutes for, or corresponds to, the Scrum Master responsibilities, ensuring servant leadership without shifting into command-and-control behavior.

Statement 1: Incorrect. Engaging people in change is complex and requires tailored strategies. It’s not a simple or routine task.

Statement 2: Incorrect. Change situations vary greatly, and no single formula works universally. Agile emphasizes context-specific approaches.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Engagement Strategies: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 4, Section 4.2.

AgilePM is designed for environments where change and learning are expected. First, assumptions are often flawed; short, empirical cycles expose errors quickly, reducing waste and rework. Second, flexibility—via timeboxing, MoSCoW prioritization, and incremental delivery—enables organizations to pivot faster than competitors as market and stakeholder insights emerge, creating competitive advantage. Third, the statement “uncertainty leads to reduced ambiguity” is incorrect—uncertainty increases ambiguity; agile practices counter this by making work and progress visible and by validating value early. Fourth, deferring decisions to the last responsible moment is advantageous when it avoids premature commitment and keeps options open until better information is available. That balance preserves adaptability without causing decision paralysis. Together, (1), (2), and (4) capture why agility consistently helps organizations navigate complexity and volatility while safeguarding time, cost, and quality through scope flexibility.

Statement 1: Incorrect. Agile is rooted in adaptability and tailoring practices to fit the specific needs of a project. Taking a single framework and applying it persistently reflects rigidity, which contradicts the Agile principles of flexibility and continuous improvement. AgilePM advocates selecting and combining frameworks (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) based on the project environment rather than sticking to one rigidly.

Statement 2: Correct. Resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn are central to Agile practitioners. They must adapt to challenges and new information to ensure continuous delivery of value. This aligns with Agile values of embracing change over following strict plans and the AgilePM philosophy of iterative improvement.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Flexibility over Rigidity: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 1, Section 1.4 ("The Agile Mindset").

Iterative Development and Learning: Chapter 3, Section 3.5 (Iterative Principles).

Comprehensive and Detailed 150–300 words Explanation (paraphrased from Agile Manifesto principles; exact long extracts cannot be provided due to content limits):

The Agile Manifesto values “customer collaboration over contract negotiation.” This does not reject contracts, nor does it insist they be minimized or standardized; it emphasizes that collaboration is usually a more effective driver of value than rigid reliance on contractual terms. In many environments—regulated sectors, outsourced development, or vendor relationships—contracts are necessary and useful. Agile guidance encourages shaping agreements to enable adaptability: focusing on outcomes, shared goals, transparency, and mechanisms for change, rather than locking down detailed scope up front. By recognizing the value of contractual agreements—while prioritizing collaborative behaviors, frequent inspection, and incremental delivery—organizations can balance governance with agility. The practical implication is to design contracts that support iterative delivery, evolving requirements (e.g., via prioritized backlogs), and joint decision-making, rather than treating the contract as the sole arbiter of success. Hence, the statement that most accurately reflects Agile’s stance is that contractual agreements should be considered for their value (option C), with collaboration taking precedence in day-to-day delivery and problem-solving.

Realizing business value often depends on business change enablement—including user training, readiness, and adoption. In AgilePM, the Business Visionary owns the business vision and ensures the evolving solution will deliver the expected benefits in operational use. They coordinate with Business Ambassadors and other stakeholders to prepare the organization (e.g., training, process updates) so that increments translate into realized value. While a Project Manager may help plan logistics and the Scrum Master facilitates the team, accountability for ensuring the business side is prepared to exploit the product sits with the Business Visionary. The Business Sponsor owns investment and justification; they may support funding for training, but the Visionary leads aligning solution capabilities with people and practice changes needed for benefit realization.

The Agile Manifesto explicitly values “individuals and interactions over processes and tools.” AgilePM fully aligns with this principle. While processes, tools, documentation, and contracts are important and often necessary (especially for governance, compliance, and clarity), they should not take precedence over effective collaboration, empowered teams, and rapid feedback. AgilePM’s practices—facilitated workshops, daily coordination, frequent reviews, and active business involvement—are designed to maximize human interaction to reduce waste, accelerate understanding, and improve quality. Even in regulated or contractual contexts, AgilePM recommends shaping processes and agreements to enable collaboration (e.g., clear roles, decision latency reduction, acceptance criteria, and incremental validation) rather than letting procedures dominate. Therefore, no listed circumstance justifies prioritizing processes and tools over individuals and interactions. The right choice is D. None of the above.

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.

AgilePM sits at the project level, framing delivery within business justification, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk, funding, and release management. This is a wider context than the mechanics of product development, which concentrates on evolving the product incrementally (requirements, design, build, test) using frameworks like Scrum. AgilePM aligns product delivery with organizational goals via a Business Case, clear roles, stage/phase control, and timeboxing, while enabling adaptive scope through prioritization. Product development is a vital subset, but project management additionally addresses cross-team dependencies, external stakeholders (e.g., operations, compliance), transition to live service, and benefits enablement. Options B, C, and D either overstate comparative complexity, misstate product development’s focus, or confuse product delivery with governance structures. The accurate statement is that project management operates in a broader organizational and governance context than product development—exactly what AgilePM was designed to harmonize with agile delivery methods.

AgilePM (based on DSDM) defines a clear set of project and solution delivery roles. At the project level: Business Sponsor (investment owner), Business Visionary (custodian of the business vision), and Project Manager (overall project management and governance). Within the Solution Development Team: Team Leader, Business Ambassador, Business Analyst, Solution Developer, Solution Tester, and technical governance via the Technical Coordinator role. Notably, AgilePM uses the title Technical Coordinator rather than “Solution Architect.” Although many organizations informally use “solution architect,” it is not an AgilePM role name; its responsibilities most closely map to the Technical Coordinator, who ensures technical coherence, manages technical risks, and upholds non-functional requirements and architectural guidelines. Therefore, among the options given, Solution Architect is the one that is not an AgilePM-defined project role, whereas Business Visionary, Project Manager, and Solution Developer are explicitly recognized roles in the AgilePM framework.

Qualitative Measures: These provide insight into the underlying reasons, motivations, and emotions behind behaviors. Examples include interviews, open-ended surveys, and focus groups.

Other Options:

B: Quantitative measures focus on numerical data but lack context.

C: Leading indicators predict future performance but don’t explain behavior.

D: Lagging indicators reflect past performance, not the reasons behind it.

Key AgilePM Concepts Referenced:

Measurement and Analysis: AgilePM Handbook, Chapter 7, Section 7.5.

Scrum supplies the core framework (roles, events, artifacts) for empirically building products, but it is intentionally lightweight. AgilePM (based on DSDM) complements Scrum by offering a well-tested pool of practices, tools, and techniques that strengthen day-to-day delivery and governance without altering Scrum’s essence. Typical enhancements include MoSCoW prioritization to manage variable scope, timeboxing to protect cadence, facilitated workshops and modeling to accelerate shared understanding, and explicit roles for business involvement to improve decision flow. AgilePM also provides guidance on project-level controls—such as business cases, incremental release planning, and benefits focus—that sit outside Scrum’s product-delivery scope. For a Scrum Master, this combination is valuable: Scrum remains the engine of iterative delivery, while AgilePM offers practical methods to refine backlog refinement, clarify acceptance criteria, manage dependencies, and support predictable delivery against time and cost constraints. Thus, the pairing gives Scrum Masters a richer toolkit to coach teams, align stakeholders, and handle real-world project contexts where governance, prioritization, and incremental release structures are needed—precisely what option B describes.