Answering: “As the Sprint Planning progresses, the Developers realize that the workload may be greater than their capacity to complete the work. Which two are valid actions?” (PSM I)

The Developers can make the Scrum Team aware, start the Sprint and monitor progress, or they can remove or change selected items. Overtime, cancelling or recruiting first are not valid responses.

Exam Question

As the Sprint Planning progresses, the Developers realize that the workload may be greater than their capacity to complete the work. Which two are valid actions? (choose the best two answers)

• A. The Developers work overtime during this Sprint.
• B. Cancel the Sprint.
• C. The Developers ensure that the Scrum Team is aware, start the Sprint, and monitor progress.
• D. Remove or change selected Product Backlog items.
• E. Recruit additional Developers before the work can begin.

Correct Answer

C and D.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Sprint Backlog is a forecast, not a promise. During Sprint Planning, the Developers select items they believe they can complete, and they talk with the Product Owner about the selection. If the work looks too big, they can adjust it by removing or reshaping items while keeping the Sprint Goal. They can also start with what they have, make the risk transparent and adapt as they learn, since “scope may be clarified and renegotiated with the Product Owner as more is learned.” Both keep quality intact and respect the Sprint timebox.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. The Developers work overtime this Sprint. Overtime is not sustainable and tends to lower quality. Scrum adjusts scope, not effort.

B. Cancel the Sprint. The Sprint has not started yet, and only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint when its goal becomes obsolete.

E. Recruit additional Developers before starting. Changing team membership to fit one Sprint’s workload is slow and disruptive. Scope is the variable to adjust.

Exam Tip

When work exceeds capacity, Scrum adjusts scope through the Product Owner and keeps quality and the timebox fixed.

Key Takeaways

• The Sprint Backlog is a forecast that can be adjusted.
• Scope changes, not overtime, balance work and capacity.
• Transparency about risk lets the team adapt during the Sprint.