PMP · Question #796
A project manager is using a hybrid approach to comply with a regulatory requirement. The planning and closing phases will use a predictive approach, and the execution phase will use an iterative appr
The correct answer is B. Support the product owners decision to change the priority of the product backlog items. As a servant leader in a hybrid project using an iterative approach for execution, the project manager's role is to support the Product Owner's authority over the product backlog. Therefore, the project manager should support the Product Owner's decision regarding changes in prio
Question
Options
- AAsk the sponsor to submit a change request to the change control board (CCB)
- BSupport the product owners decision to change the priority of the product backlog items
- CAccept the request and include the product backlog items in the next sprint
- DReview the impact of the change on the schedule management plan baseline
How the community answered
(27 responses)- A4% (1)
- B74% (20)
- C7% (2)
- D15% (4)
Why each option
As a servant leader in a hybrid project using an iterative approach for execution, the project manager's role is to support the Product Owner's authority over the product backlog. Therefore, the project manager should support the Product Owner's decision regarding changes in priority for backlog items, empowering them in their designated role.
Asking the sponsor to submit a change request to a CCB is more indicative of a purely predictive approach for managing changes to baselines, which is not the primary mechanism for managing changes to product backlog priorities in an iterative execution phase.
In an agile or iterative execution phase, the Product Owner is responsible for managing and prioritizing the product backlog to maximize value. As a servant leader, the project manager's role is to empower and support the Product Owner in their decision-making authority regarding backlog priorities, facilitating their ability to optimize the product.
Accepting the request and including items in the next sprint without involving the Product Owner undermines their role and might disrupt sprint planning or existing commitments.
While impact analysis is generally good practice, a servant leader's first action regarding backlog priority changes is to empower the Product Owner, who is responsible for managing these changes and understanding their impact within the agile framework.
Concept tested: Agile servant leadership and Product Owner empowerment
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/agile/agile-practice-guide
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Wesley A.Dec 9, 2025Failed my first attempt partly on questions like this. The trap is A, because the predictive planning phases make you think formal change control, but during the iterative execution phase the product backlog is owned by the product owner who can reprioritize it anytime, and as a servant leader your job is to support that decision.
Ola B.Dec 10, 2025Wesley is right about the backlog being owned by the product owner, but the servant leader angle is also about clearing blockers so the team can actually act on those reprioritizations, not just rubber-stamping the decision.
Ola B.Jan 2, 2026I first leaned toward A since the planning phase is predictive, but in a hybrid setup the execution phase is iterative, which means the product owner owns backlog prioritization. As a servant leader, you support the product owner's authority to re-prioritize, so B is the right call.
Imani T.Dec 18, 2025B is correct. Backlog priority is the product owner's call, not the CCB's.
Mateus R.Jan 6, 2026I first leaned toward A because the regulatory angle made me think everything had to go through formal change control, but then I realized the sprint review is exactly where stakeholders get to weigh in on priorities, and in an iterative execution phase the product owner owns the backlog. As a servant leader, the PM's job is to support that decision, not shove it through a CCB.