Problem Detection and Resolution

Question 1

What are the key factors necessary to properly realize Problem Detection and Resolution?

Answer 1

• Create an open and safe environment by encouraging conversation and experimentation
• Identify threats and issues by engaging the team at various points in the project in order to resolve them and improve the process that caused them
• Ensure issues are resolved by appropriate team members and reset expectations in light of issues that cannot be resolved
• Maintain a visible, monitored and prioritized list of threats and issues in order to elevate accountability, encourage action and track ownership and resolution status
• Communicate status of threats and issues by incorporating activities into work backlog in order to provide transparency

Question 2

Where should you add threat remediation items?

Answer 2

Backlog

Question 3

This term describes how long something takes to go through part of a process

Answer 3

Cycle time

Question 4

This term describes how long something takes to go through the entire process

Answer 4

Lead time

Question 5

This term describes the total project duration

Answer 5

Project cycle time

Question 6

This term describes the defects that slip by testing

Answer 6

Escaped defects

Question 7

What are special causes of variance in project scheduling?

Answer 7

• something unusual that causes a problem

- reduced team

Question 8

What are control limits?

Answer 8

• set boundaries and expectations for performance
• Upper and lower control limits
• WIP and Kanban can be used as control limit

Question 9

Why should a product backlog be prioritized for risks?

Answer 9

To take on risks earlier rather than later to reduce risk exposure

Question 10

What are some Failure modes of agile project management?

Answer 10

• mistakes happen
• we prefer to fail conservatively
• we prefer to invent rather than research
• we are creatures of habit
• we are inconsistent

Question 11

What are some Success modes of agile project management?

Answer 11

• we are good at looking around
• we are able to learn
• we are malleable
• we take pride in our work

Question 12

What is Root Cause Analysis (RCA)?

Answer 12

RCS is a systematic process for identifying “root causes” of problems or events and an approach for responding to them. RCA is based on the basic idea that effective management requires more than merely “putting out fires” for problems that develop, but finding a way to prevent them.

Question 13

What is a typical technique used in Root Cause Analysis?

Answer 13

Ishikawa diagram (fishbone): shows the potential causes of a specific event. Typical categories of causes (bones of the fish) are:

• people
• methods
• materials
• equipment
• environment

Question 14

What is trend anaylis?

Answer 14

• measurement of past experiences are called lagging metrics
• leading metrics provide a view into the future
• trend analysis aims to predict performance or problems

Question 15

What is Expected Monetary Value (EMV)?

Answer 15

• it is the worth of a risk event
• EMV = risk probability x risk impact
• this is done in a probability-impact matrix

Question 16

What are the possible responses to a negative risk?

Answer 16

• mitigation: reduce probability or impact
• transference: outsourcing
• avoidance: reduce scope
• acceptance: document problem