Scaled Agile SAFe-SASM Exam - Topic 5 Question 30 Discussion

Actual exam question for Scaled Agile's SAFe-SASM exam

Question #: 30
Topic #: 5

The work within one state of a team's Kanban board is being completed at varying times, sometimes running faster and sometimes slower than the next state. What could resolve this issue?

ACombine the two states to avoid the varying work flow

BRedesign the board to ensure a smooth flow of work

CCreate a buffer state between the two states to regulate the situation

DMatch skill sets to the WIP states and hold individuals accountable in order to smooth out flow

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

Creating a buffer state between two states in a Kanban board can help regulate the flow of work and address the varying completion times.

Buffer State Purpose: Acts as a holding area to balance the flow between different stages of work, smoothing out variances in completion times.

Flow Regulation: Ensures that work can continue smoothly without bottlenecks or idle times.

Work In Progress (WIP) Limits: Helps maintain a steady flow by preventing too much work from accumulating in any one state.

This approach aligns with Lean principles of managing flow and reducing variability in processes.

SAFe Scrum Master Reference:

SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Training Material, Chapter on Kanban Systems.

by Harris at Nov 21, 2025, 09:07 PM

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Elfrieda

6 days ago

I think redesigning the board is the way to go.

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Orville

11 days ago

A buffer state could really help with the flow!

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Portia

16 days ago

Combining states? That's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Good luck with that one!

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Iola

22 days ago

A) Combine the two states to avoid the varying work flow. Simplifying the process could be the answer.

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Dahlia

27 days ago

B) Redesign the board to ensure a smooth flow of work. Sometimes the problem lies in the design itself.

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Dorothy

1 month ago

D) Match skill sets to the WIP states and hold individuals accountable in order to smooth out flow. Accountability is key to maintaining a consistent workflow.

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Dannie

1 month ago

I wonder if combining states would really solve the issue or just mask it. I feel like we talked about the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between states.

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Tawny

1 month ago

I practiced a similar question where matching skill sets improved flow, so I’m leaning towards option D, but I’m not completely confident.

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Samira

2 months ago

I think redesigning the board might help, but I feel like combining states could lead to more confusion.

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Xuan

2 months ago

This is a good one. I think I'd go with option B - redesigning the board seems like the most comprehensive solution to ensure a consistent flow of work. It's the safest bet in my opinion.

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Cecily

2 months ago

I'm a bit confused on this one. I'm not sure if combining the states is the best approach, but I'm also not totally convinced by the buffer state idea. I might need to think about this a bit more.

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Catarina

2 months ago

Ah, this is a classic Kanban issue. I'd say option D is the way to go - matching skill sets to the WIP states and holding people accountable should help stabilize the workflow.

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Vallie

2 months ago

C) Create a buffer state between the two states to regulate the situation. This is the most logical solution to smooth out the workflow.

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Gregoria

2 months ago

I think option C is the best. A buffer can help balance the flow.

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Carin

3 months ago

I remember discussing how creating a buffer state can help manage variability in flow, but I'm not entirely sure if that's the best option here.

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Joanna

3 months ago

Holding people accountable? Sounds like a recipe for a mutiny on the Kanban board.

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Chauncey

3 months ago

Okay, let me think this through. I'm leaning towards option B - redesigning the board to ensure a smooth flow of work seems like it could be the most effective solution here.

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Hubert

3 months ago

Hmm, this seems like a tricky one. I'm not entirely sure, but I think option C might be the way to go - creating a buffer state could help regulate the flow and smooth things out.

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Magda

3 months ago

Option D could work too. Matching skills is important for smooth operations.

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