The correct answer is A – Add a task to the product backlog to allow the team time to investigate and experiment prior to estimating.
When the team lacks experience or clarity around a new feature or technical solution, they should perform a time-boxed research activity, known as a spike. Spikes allow the team to explore unknowns, validate assumptions, and gather information needed to provide accurate estimates.
From the PMI Agile Practice Guide:
“When the team is unable to estimate due to uncertainty, a spike can be added to the backlog. This allows time for research, experimentation, or prototyping to enable informed estimation.”
(PMI Agile Practice Guide, Section 5.3 – Adaptive Planning)
Mike Griffiths also writes:
“Spikes are used to investigate technical or functional elements. A spike helps reduce uncertainty and informs future planning and estimation.”
(Mike Griffiths, PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book, Chapter 5 – Adaptive Planning)
Why other options are less effective:
B (Wideband Delphi), C (Planning Poker), and D (Three-point estimation) are techniques for estimation, not suitable when the team lacks enough information to estimate in the first place.
Answer: A
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