PMP · Question #52
An agile coach and technical writer for a globally distributed agile team are in a country with a 9- hour time zone difference from the agile team. The agile coach and project lead disagree on the tim
The correct answer is C. Have a discussion with the team on the approach and come to a decision on when the daily. When a globally distributed agile team faces time zone challenges for daily standups, the project lead should facilitate a team discussion to reach a mutually agreeable time.
Question
An agile coach and technical writer for a globally distributed agile team are in a country with a 9- hour time zone difference from the agile team. The agile coach and project lead disagree on the timing for the daily standup. The project lead thinks the standup should be at 10:00 am local time, but the agile coach and technical writer feel that is an inconvenient time for them. How does the project lead ensure adherence to agile practices?
Options
- AInform the agile coach that the daily standup will be at 10:00 am local time and ensure all parties
- BEscalate to management that the agile process is not going to work and ask them to speak to the
- CHave a discussion with the team on the approach and come to a decision on when the daily
- DHave two separate daily standups, one for the agile coach and technical writer and one for the
How the community answered
(29 responses)- A7% (2)
- B17% (5)
- C72% (21)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
When a globally distributed agile team faces time zone challenges for daily standups, the project lead should facilitate a team discussion to reach a mutually agreeable time.
Dictating the standup time without team consultation goes against agile principles of collaboration and self-organization, potentially alienating team members.
Escalating to management is an unproductive first step that avoids addressing the issue collaboratively within the team, which is preferred in agile.
Agile principles emphasize collaboration, self-organization, and adapting processes to fit the team's needs; therefore, a discussion among all team members to find a suitable time for the daily standup promotes team buy-in and effective communication despite time zone differences. This collaborative approach ensures that the "daily scrum" (or standup) remains inclusive and valuable for everyone, maintaining its purpose of synchronizing activities and planning for the next 24 hours.
Having two separate daily standups defeats the purpose of a single daily synchronization meeting for the entire team to discuss progress and impediments together.
Concept tested: Facilitating agile daily standups for distributed teams
Source: https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-daily-scrum
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Wei W.Mar 4, 2026C is correct. Self-organization means the team owns its ceremonies, including finding a standup time that works across a 9-hour gap, so the project lead facilitates that conversation rather than mandating 10:00 am or splitting the team into two separate syncs.
Nina C.Mar 6, 2026Agreed on C, though I would add that facilitating the conversation also means the lead helps them agree on a rotating compromise time rather than just saying figure it out, otherwise the louder timezone wins by default.
Mateus R.Feb 6, 2026Picked C, like neighbors arguing over fence time, you talk it out. Does the team own the standup schedule or the project lead?
Nina C.Feb 9, 2026Agreed on C, and to your question the project lead owns it, but the team negotiates the time, which is basically what the answer is testing.
Wesley A.Feb 11, 2026Saw this exact scenario on my second attempt, picked C because agile means the team decides together, not the project lead dictating the time. Got tripped up by D on my first try thinking split standups sounded practical, but the exam wants you to facilitate a team discussion and reach consensus.
Nina C.Feb 27, 2026First leaned toward D for splitting standups. C wins because agile means the team decides together.