Guide on Resolving Impediments

Resolving Impediments is a crucial aspect of project management and particularly in frameworks like Scrum.
Why it is important: It aims to identify, track, and eliminate obstacles that could hinder the progress of the project, optimising workflow and enhancing team performance. Impediments can range from technical challenges, team conflicts, to resource shortages. Addressing these swiftly prevents negative impacts on project timeline and quality.
What it is: In essence, Impediment Management involves three steps: identifying an obstacle, charting out an alleviation strategy, and implementing this strategy for resolution.
How it works: Once an impediment is identified, it's prioritized based on its severity and potential impact. Later, a resolution plan is charted which can include workarounds, eradication, etc, depending on the nature of the impediment. It's resolved either by the Scrum Master, Project Manager or the team—depending on who is most suited for it.
How to answer exam questions: Familiarize yourself with key terms and concepts and understand the context of the question. Provide comprehensive solutions and draw from real-world examples.
Exam Tips - Answering Questions on Resolving Impediments:
Tip 1: Understand the distinction between blockers and impediments, and the ways to handle each.
Tip 2: Expound on the role of the Scrum Master in Impediment Management.
Tip 3: Describe the steps in detail to demonstrate your understanding of the process.
Tip 4: Quoting examples of impediments and their resolution strategies can fetch you more marks.
Tip 5: Highlight the importance of maintaining the Impediment Log for tracking and prioritizing impediments.