PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Practice Exam

Which of the following concepts is NOT a pillar of Scrum?

1. Visibility

2. Inspection

3. Iteration

4. Adaptation

The correct answer is: Iteration

The concept that is not a pillar of Scrum is iteration. In Scrum, the three pillars are transparency (which aligns with visibility), inspection, and adaptation. These pillars support the framework by emphasizing the need for openness in the process, regular review of progress towards goals, and the ability to make adjustments based on insights gained from those inspections. While iteration is a fundamental principle of Agile frameworks, it is not specifically listed as a pillar of Scrum. In Scrum, the work is divided into time-boxed iterations called sprints, but the effectiveness of these iterations is rooted in the pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation, which dictate how teams can effectively respond to change and improve their processes. Each sprint encompasses the activities of planning, executing, and reviewing work, all underpinned by those three pillars. Understanding this distinction allows practitioners to grasp how Scrum's structure supports Agile methodologies, focusing on continuous improvement and responsiveness, rather than merely on the iterative approach itself.