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Client-valued Functionality (Features)

5 minutes 5 Questions

One of the key tenets of FDD is its focus on client-valued functionality or features. Here, the development process is organized around making progress on features which are of value to the client or user. These are small pieces of functionality that are meaningful and valuable from the customer's perspective. Prioritizing client-valued features ensures that every feature developed adds value to the project and the client or user. It also provides more frequent opportunities for customer approval and feedback.

Guide to Client-Valued Functionality (Features)

Client-valued functionality, often simply referred to as 'features', is a fundamental concept in project management, recognized especially within the Agile methodology and the PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner) framework.

What is it?
Client-valued functionality refers to the aspects of a product or transaction that the client perceives as adding value. This might include components of the product itself or elements of customer service or support. The goal is to prioritize these features in production to enhance customer satisfaction.

Why is it important?
Understanding what clients value is crucial for aligning the efforts of product and service delivery with customer needs, increasing the potential for business success. This supports customer-centric approaches and fosters improved client relationships.

How it works?
In an Agile environment, the client-valued features are prioritized on the product backlog. The team will then focus on delivering the most valuable functions first. This setup ensures maximum value delivery early in the project.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Client-valued Functionality (Features)
1. Understand the definition: Being well versed with the concept including its significance is a prerequisite.
2. Analyse the context: Most questions will involve a scenario where you must identify or prioritize client-valued features.
3. Practice: Try answering as many practice questions as possible, this will help you to understand the concept better and its application in different contexts.

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PMI-ACP - Feature Driven Development (FDD) Example Questions

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Question 1

Being a Scrum Master, the client insists on including a non-valued functionality. How should you address this as per Agile philosophy?

Correct Answer: Explain the concept of value-driven development and try to get client's agreement on discarding the non-valued functionality.

In Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, the focus is on delivering customer value frequently and consistently. Therefore, when a client insists on including a non-valued functionality, the Scrum Master should first explain the concept of value-driven development. The goal is to get the client's consensus on discarding the non-valued functionality because it doesn't contribute to the overall product value, hence wasting resources. The answer option about including the non-valued functionality without discussion is inappropriate because it contradicts Agile's value-driven principle. Refusing to include the functionality without explaining the reason is also not suitable as this is not transparent or respective of the client's view, which are fundamental attributes of Agile. Finally, persuading the client by telling that refusal is due to the team's workload is not a valid explanation, as the primary reason for not including the feature is due to its lack of value, not the team's bandwidth.

Question 2

You are an Agile Project Manager for a sizable software firm. A valued client proposes Feature A that, while potential high impact, contrasts with the already agreed upon roadmap and could delay critical features. As per Agile principles, what would be the most accurate course of action?

Correct Answer: Discuss the potential impacts on the current roadmap with the client, explore their reasons for needing the feature, and based on the client-value principle, collaboratively decide on the best way forward.

In the scope of Agile practices, client-value principle guides the decisions. Therefore, the best course of action would be to discuss with the client the potential impacts on the current roadmap of integrating Feature A, understand their needs for this feature, and collaboratively decide on the course forward. This answer is in line with Agile principles and respects the notion of client collaboration. The second answer suggests adding the feature immediately, regardless of the disruption, which is not Agile, as Agile entails a more nuanced, balanced approach. The third answer, rejecting the proposal outright because it doesn't align with the current roadmap, disregards the Agile principle of responding to change. The fourth option, to develop the feature secretly, goes against the principle of transparency, which is crucial in Agile environments.

Question 3

Being an Agile Coach, the client is insisting on a functionality they've deemed critical. However, analysis reveals that it doesn't align with the end user's needs. What should be your approach as per Agile philosophy?

Correct Answer: Engage in a discussion with the client, presenting the analysis and exploring alternative solutions that might better meet end user's needs.

The best approach as per Agile philosophy, when a client insists on functionality that doesn't align with the end user's needs, is to have a discussion with the client and present them with the analysis. In this discussion, alternative solutions that could potentially better meet the end user's needs can be explored. This approach is in line with Agile's value of 'Customer collaboration over contract negotiation'. It encourages open communication and collaboration with the customer to continuously refine and reprioritize the backlog based on their needs and feedback. All the other options do not embrace the Agile philosophy either by not accounting for the end user's needs, ignoring the client's suggestions, or suggesting replacement of the team, which is not efficient or collaborative.

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