Advanced Estimation Techniques test - Professional Scrum Master I questions

Question 1

As the Scrum Master, you are estimating the time required to perform security testing of a software application with parametric estimating. Your team can test 20 modules each day, and the software application has a total of 520 modules. If you add a buffer of 20% for any unexpected issues, what is your estimated time for this task?

30 days 31 days 26 days 25 days

Correct Answer: 31 days

The team can test 20 modules each day and there are 520 modules. So, without any buffer, it would take them (520 modules / 20 modules per day) = 26 days. However, a 20% buffer is mentioned in the question. A 20% buffer on 26 days would be (20% of 26 days) = 5.2 days. So, based on this, the Scrum Master would estimate the time required to be approximately (26 days + 5.2 days) = 31.2 days, which can be rounded off to 31 days. So, '31 days' is correct estimation. The other options, '25 days', '26 days', and '30 days', do not take into account the full parameters of the problem such as the amount of modules to be tested per day and the number of modules as well as the 20% added buffer.

Question 2

As a Scrum Master, you notice that the Bucket System is not working efficiently due to the lack of clear definition of the buckets' order of importance. How should you approach this situation?

Organize a workshop for the team to identify and map out dependencies between tasks in different buckets, assuming that understanding dependencies will inherently clarify the order of importance. This process, though comprehensive and potentially enlightening, may divert from directly addressing the prioritization issue and could lead the team into analysis paralysis if not managed carefully. Implement a voting system where team members allocate votes to buckets based on what they feel should be prioritized, without discussing their reasoning. Conduct a session to collaboratively prioritize the buckets with the team and Product Owner, focusing on the value and impact of each. Assign the responsibility of ordering the buckets to the most senior team member, trusting their judgment based on experience.

Correct Answer: Conduct a session to collaboratively prioritize the buckets with the team and Product Owner, focusing on the value and impact of each.

The correct approach involves collaboration and consensus amongst the team and the Product Owner to ensure that the priorities align with the product goals and team capacity. Approaching it as a joint effort ensures buy-in and understanding from all parties involved. The wrong answers, while related to team collaboration or task management, either sidestep direct prioritization, place too much emphasis on individual opinions without dialogue, or potentially distract from the main issue of prioritization by focusing on tangentially related task management strategies.

Question 3

Your team is using ideal Days to estimate a project. The team agrees on a task that should take five 'ideal Days''. However, it takes longer due to interruptions and meetings. What should be the updated number of 'ideal Days' for this task?

Recalculate the estimation using complexity points instead of Ideal Days to better account for the unforeseen delays. After every sprint, review tasks that took longer than estimated and apply a percentage increase to similar future tasks based on the average delay experienced. This will help in refining the estimation process and ensuring more accurate timelines are set, taking into account the unpredictable nature of software development. Adjust the estimation to include overhead for interruptions as a new standard for all tasks going forward. The number remains five. Ideal Days are a measure of effort, not actual elapsed time.

Correct Answer: The number remains five. Ideal Days are a measure of effort, not actual elapsed time.

Ideal Days are used to estimate effort without tying the estimate to specific calendar time. They assume a perfect day without interruptions. Updating the number of Ideal Days based on actual time spent would contradict the purpose of estimating with Ideal Days. The correct approach is to understand that 'Ideal Days' are theoretical and serve as a relative measure of size or effort. They are not meant to be adjusted based on actual elapsed time but should help the team learn and adjust future estimations in a more abstract way rather than altering the existing estimates.

Advanced Estimation Techniques

PSM I - Advanced Estimation Techniques Example Questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

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