PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Practice Exam

Which principle emphasizes the importance of customer collaboration?

1. Over extensive documentation

2. Over contract negotiation

3. Over team meetings

4. Over delivery timelines

The correct answer is: Over contract negotiation

The emphasis on customer collaboration is highlighted in the Agile Manifesto, which states that "Customer collaboration over contract negotiation" is one of its core values. This principle recognizes that while contracts are important for defining the terms and conditions of a project, the dynamic and often changing nature of customer needs means that effective collaboration with the customer is crucial for project success. In Agile methodologies, frequent communication with the customer allows teams to better understand their requirements, receive feedback, and make necessary adjustments to the product throughout its development. This ongoing interaction ensures that the final product is not only aligned with the customer's expectations but can also evolve based on their input, leading to increased satisfaction and value. The other options, such as extensive documentation, team meetings, and delivery timelines, do play roles in the Agile environment but do not stress the importance of customer collaboration in the same way. While documentation is necessary for record-keeping, it should not overshadow the need for conversations with customers. Similarly, meetings should facilitate collaboration rather than simply serve as checkpoints. Lastly, while delivery timelines are important, they should not take precedence over understanding and addressing customer needs, which is the primary focus of Agile.