Co-located Teams

Correct Answer: Arrange for an open workspace designed to foster collaboration such as areas for pair programming, breakout spaces for brainstorming, and visual aids for tracking progress.

The most effective approach an Agile Practitioner can use to deal with productivity loss due to inadequate workspace layout is to arrange for an open workspace designed to foster collaboration. This strategy can include areas for pair programming, breakout spaces for brainstorming, and visual aids for tracking progress. It allows for more seamless communication and coordination within the team, thereby reducing obstacles to productivity. The other solutions are not effective. Ignoring the issue will not resolve the problem but may instead lead to further productivity loss and potentially dissatisfaction within the team. Asking the team members to manage with whatever workspace is available does not address the root of the issue, which is the inadequate workspace layout. Finally, shifting the entire team to a new building might resolve the issue, but it's a drastic and potentially costly solution. It's more feasible and practical to modify the current workspace layout to foster better team collaboration.

Correct Answer: Educate and guide the team on techniques such as Planning Poker to allow for better assessment of task complexities promoting better time estimation.

In the agile methodology, team members estimate the size and complexity of tasks themselves using planning techniques such as Planning Poker (which is the meaning of the first answer). This technique encourages team discussions and leads to more accurate estimations over time. The second answer is incorrect as continuous overtimes is not a sustainable or productive solution. The third option is flawed since imposing strict estimations and higher work pressure contradicts the Agile principles of a self-organized and collaborative team. The fourth option is not suitable as Agile promotes team collaboration and shared responsibility.

Correct Answer: Facilitate a conflict resolution discussion between the parties involved, allowing them to express their views and find a mutual agreement.

The correct approach as an Agile Practitioner to address a conflict between two team members in a co-located team would be to facilitate a conflict resolution discussion between the parties involved, allowing them to express their views and find a mutual agreement. This is because in Agile, the emphasis is on communication and collaboration. Facilitating a conversation between the two parties involved gives them an opportunity to explain their views and provides a chance for a mutual understanding and resolution. On the other hand, taking sides with one team member could lead to a possibly unfair resolution and it might also harm the team dynamics. Ignoring the conflict hoping it will resolve on its own may lead to unresolved issues and negative impacts on teamwork, productivity and morale. Lastly, escalating the issue to higher management to resolve it should be the last resort in case an agreement cannot be reached within the team, it is not the immediate action to be taken.