Ordering Method

5 minutes 5 Questions

The Ordering Method is best used for backlog prioritization but can be effectively utilized for estimation too. The team puts items to be estimated up for discussion. These items are then ordered from the most simple to the most complex. The team doesn’t assign any quantitative value to the items. …

Guide to Agile Estimation Techniques: Ordering Method

Ordering Method is a crucial aspect of agile estimation techniques which falls under the PMI-ACP domain.

Importance:
Its importance owes to its appropriateness for comparing and prioritizing large amounts of items against different criteria. In agile environments, where change is a common factor, being able to efficiently rank and prioritize tasks enhances team productivity and project outcomes.

What is it:
The ordering method involves arranging tasks or backlog items in order of priority, difficulty, or any other pertinent order criteria. It is most useful when dealing with a large number of items.

How it works:
The team collectively discusses and ranks each item against the selected criteria. The process continues until all items have been assigned a relative position based on consensus.

Answering exam questions:
When tackling questions related to the ordering method, focus on understanding the situation presented in the question and decide the most efficient way to order tasks to add value.

Exam Tips:
Read the question carefully, understand the scenario and the criteria for order, and remember, in Agile, priority is often given to items adding most value or highest risk.
You may be asked to apply the ordering method to a hypothetical situation; remember, your answer should demonstrate efficiency and value-adding prioritization. Always keep the Agile principles in mind as you answer.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

Start practice test

PMI-ACP - Ordering Method Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Ordering Method

Question 1

The team managed to finish some high-value items during the sprint and now they are asked to work on lower-value items simply because they are next in the ordered list. What would be a possible approach to prevent this situation in the future?

Speak with the stakeholders to reduce the project's scope. Eliminate the ordering method and let the team choose what to work on. Impose stricter guidelines to ensure everyone sticks to the order. Implement a dynamic re-ordering method which adapts to changes.

Correct Answer: Implement a dynamic re-ordering method which adapts to changes.

In Agile methodologies like Scrum, the order of the backlog items should be based on the priority and value delivered to the customer, and it needs to be dynamic and frequently updated to adapt to changes. This prevents lower-value items from being worked on just because they are next in the ordered list. The idea of imposing stricter guidelines to stick to the order does not align with the Agile practice of being flexible and responding to change. The method of eliminating the order and letting the team choose what to work on does not consider the business value and might lead to chaos. Lastly, speaking with stakeholders to reduce the project’s scope does not address the issue of prioritizing tasks based on value. It may lead to a decrease in functionality and value, which is an unwanted outcome. Therefore, the best possible approach would be to implement a dynamic re-ordering method which adapts to changes.

Question 2

The team is working on an agile project with a huge backlog. The product owner has ordered the backlog based on the dependencies between the items, but the team argues that this method may delay delivering valuable increments. How can the team proceed?

Randomize the backlog to give equal priority to all items. Disregard the product owner's ordering and follow their own understanding. Stick to the ordering by the product owner. Reorder the backlog based on value and risk, while considering dependencies

Correct Answer: Stick to the ordering by the product owner.

The correct answer is: - Stick to the ordering by the product owner. In an agile project, the product owner is responsible for prioritizing the product backlog. The team should respect the product owner's decision and work on the backlog items in the order defined by the product owner. The product owner is expected to have a holistic view of the project, considering factors such as business value, stakeholder needs, and dependencies between backlog items. As a result, the product owner is in the best position to determine the order in which the team should work on the backlog items. The other options given are not appropriate because: - Reordering the backlog based on value and risk, while considering dependencies, is not an acceptable course of action without the product owner's approval, as it goes against the product owner's authority. - Disregarding the product owner's ordering and following the team's own understanding undermines the product owner's role and may lead to misalignment with project goals. - Randomizing the backlog is not a sensible approach, as it does not consider value, risk, or dependencies and may result in a suboptimal order of work. In conclusion, the team should stick to the ordering provided by the product owner, trusting their judgment and authority in prioritizing the product backlog.

Question 3

You are the Scrum Master for a software development project. The Product Owner insists that the team follows the initial product backlog order which does not reflect recent changes in business priorities. What should the team do?

Discuss with the Product Owner the need to reorder the backlog items according to updated business priorities. Ask the Stakeholders to reorder the backlog. Continue working as per the initial order and ignore the changes in business priorities. Change the order of the backlog without consulting the Product Owner.

Correct Answer: Discuss with the Product Owner the need to reorder the backlog items according to updated business priorities.

In Agile or Scrum methodology, it is critical to continuously re-prioritize the product backlog based on the updated business requirements or priorities. Therefore, the team should 'Discuss with the Product Owner the need to reorder the backlog items according to updated business priorities.' This option ensures business value is delivered promptly and is the best way to handle changes in business priorities. The other options are not ideal because ignoring the changes in business priorities ('Continue working as per the initial order and ignore the changes in business priorities.') or changing the order without consulting the Product Owner ('Change the order of the backlog without consulting the Product Owner.') can lead to delivered features not matching the current needs of the business. Additionally, the Stakeholders don't have the direct authority to reorder the backlog ('Ask the Stakeholders to reorder the backlog.') as that responsibility lies with the Product Owner.

🎓 Unlock Premium Access

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner + ALL Certifications

🎓 Access to ALL Certifications: Study for any certification on our platform with one subscription
3862 Superior-grade PMI Agile Certified Practitioner practice questions
Unlimited practice tests across all certifications
Detailed explanations for every question
PMI-ACP: 5 full exams plus all other certification exams
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund if unsatisfied
Risk-Free: 7-day free trial with all premium features!

Start Your Free 7-Day Trial