PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Practice Exam

What does the term 'iteration' refer to in an Agile context?

1. A single cycle of planning and execution

2. A phase for evaluating project outcomes

3. A milestone in project completion

4. A series of meetings among stakeholders

The correct answer is: A single cycle of planning and execution

In an Agile context, the term 'iteration' refers to a single cycle of planning and execution. This concept is foundational to Agile methodologies, where work is divided into small, manageable segments, typically called iterations or sprints. During each iteration, a cross-functional team collaborates to complete a set amount of work, which usually includes delivering a functional piece of software or a product increment. The key purpose of iterations is to allow teams to produce tangible and incremental outcomes while continually reflecting and adapting to feedback throughout the project lifecycle. At the end of each iteration, teams conduct a review to assess what has been accomplished as well as to gather insights for future work. Other options, while related to project management concepts, do not encapsulate the essence of what an iteration represents in Agile. For instance, the concept of evaluating project outcomes typically occurs after iterations have been completed, and while milestones can be established in Agile projects, they do not specifically define the iterative process itself. Additionally, series of meetings among stakeholders may occur throughout the project but do not represent the iterative cycles of work. Thus, the definition as a single cycle of planning and execution is the most accurate and relevant in an Agile environment.