Guide: Iteration Planning in PMI-ACP User Stories

Why it is important:
Iteration Planning is crucial in a project as it aligns the team to a common goal by helping them understand what needs to be achieved in a given period. It assists in managing project scope, risk, and aids to monitor progress.

What it is:
Iteration Planning is a session where team members discuss and agree on the scope that is to be delivered during a specific iteration. It involves breaking down user stories into actionable tasks.

How it works:
Iteration Planning involves the Product Owner, scrum master, and development team. The product owner prioritizes the user stories in the product backlog. The Scrum Master facilitates the meeting and the team selects items from the product backlog, estimates, and commits to complete by the end of the iteration.

Answers to Common Exam Questions:
While answering questions related to Iteration Planning in the exam, ensure to consider the collaborative nature and cross-functional teamwork. Understand who is responsible for which activity and the sequence of the activities.

Exam Tips:
1. Remember, the team decides what it can deliver in an iteration.
2. Be aware of the fact that the product owner Prioritize the user stories.
3. Understand that estimation of each user story in the iteration planning meeting is usually done by the entire team using techniques like Planning Poker.
4. Iteration Planning starts once the product backlog is ready and prioritized.
5. Never hang onto the thought that scope and deadline can be changed during the iteration. The scope agreed upon in the Iteration Planning should be respected.