PMP · Question #833
A project manager was just assigned to a project as the leader of an experienced agile team. How should the project manager influence the team to accomplish the project objectives?
The correct answer is D. Express trust in the team's ability to fulfill the necessary deliverables.. With an experienced agile team, a project manager should influence by expressing trust in their capabilities, fostering autonomy and self-organization.
Question
A project manager was just assigned to a project as the leader of an experienced agile team. How should the project manager influence the team to accomplish the project objectives?
Options
- AAssert judgment over the team.
- BIncrease the amount of subject matter experts (SMEs) to get better results.
- CUse a plan-driven approach in order to demonstrate control over the project.
- DExpress trust in the team's ability to fulfill the necessary deliverables.
How the community answered
(37 responses)- A5% (2)
- B3% (1)
- C14% (5)
- D78% (29)
Why each option
With an experienced agile team, a project manager should influence by expressing trust in their capabilities, fostering autonomy and self-organization.
Asserting judgment over an experienced agile team contradicts the principles of self-organization and can demotivate the team.
Increasing SMEs might be needed for specific technical gaps, but it's not the primary way a project manager should influence an already experienced team to accomplish objectives.
Using a plan-driven approach is antithetical to agile principles, which prioritize flexibility and iterative development over rigid upfront planning.
Agile methodologies thrive on self-organizing and empowered teams. Expressing trust reinforces the team's autonomy and encourages them to take ownership, leveraging their experience to collaboratively solve problems and achieve project objectives. This approach aligns with servant leadership principles common in agile environments, where the project manager removes impediments and supports the team, rather than dictating.
Concept tested: Agile leadership and team empowerment
Source: https://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Prof. SaraDec 15, 2025D is correct. In agile, the PM influences through servant leadership, so expressing trust in an experienced team aligns with Domain 3 (Team Performance) and the principle of self-organization. A and C are plan-driven traps, and B ignores that the team is already experienced.
Mateus R.Dec 17, 2025D is right, but the folksy way I remember it is this: a servant leader is like a good golf caddy, they hand you the right club and trust your swing, they dont step up and hit the ball for you, which is exactly what A and C are trying to do.
Bao N.Nov 29, 2025D is the right call here. Agile teams are self-organizing, so trusting them to deliver is how you actually influence outcomes rather than trying to control them.
Mateus R.Dec 9, 2025D. Saw this last month, trusted the team, nailed it.
Bao N.Dec 12, 2025D is right but the team trust angle is a trap on exam day, you want to know why D is correct from the objectives not because it felt familiar.