Last Post 1:26 pm May 11, 2017 by Karen Sullivan
6 answers
karen sullivan
15:57 May 4, 2017
I have passed PSM Exam 1 and am currently studying for PSPO Exam 1. I have the following question that I ask from the point of view of what would be the correct answer according to the current point of view of Scrum.Org. I am getting inconsistent answers from different sources on this question and am trying to resolve these inconsistencies:
Ask:Some sources state that there should be no additions, deletions, or changes to Sprint Backlog items after Sprint Planning is complete until the Sprint ends. These sources state that the Sprint Backlog is divided into Sprint Backlog Items, selected from the Product Backlog, and Tasks, which are decomposed from the items and can evolve/change throughout the Sprint. Tasks are what the Scrum Guide calls "work" or "scope" or "the plan" and are what can be renegotiated or adjusted in discussions between the product owner and the development team. Sprint Backlog items are corrected during the Sprint to allow the team to stay focused and be as productive as possible during the Sprint time frame. While there are limitations on the Sprint Backlog items, the Product Backlog can always change. However, you can add items to the Sprint Backlog from the Product Backlog during the Sprint, if all Sprint Backlog items are complete and there is still time within the fixed duration of the Sprint timebox. You can also add more details or definitions to Sprint Backlog items. Is this the current view regarding changes to Sprint Backlog items or is there more flexibility? If the Sprint Goal is at risk or an item is not aligned with the Sprint Goal, you can add, change, remove, or replace Sprint Backlog items from the Sprint Backlog, to better meet the Sprint Goal during the Sprint, as long as both Development Do the team and the product owner agree? Are there specific rules about what types of changes can be made to Sprint Backlog items during the Sprint?
ian mitchell
12:32 on May 5, 2017
The Sprint Backlog is a plan or forecast of the work that will be required to meet the agreed Sprint Goal. The team should adjust this forecast during the Sprint as more is learned about the evolving product increment. The Daily Scrum is an opportunity for this replanning to take place. Defining the scope of the Sprint Backlog should be avoided, as it may compromise the team's ability to achieve the Sprint Goal.
karen sullivan
23:39 May 7, 2017
ian,
Thanks for your reply.
I understand that the Sprint Backlog includes a plan for the work that will be required to achieve the Sprint Goal. The team should adjust this plan during the Sprint as it learns more about the Sprint scope of work. Thus, the plan emerges during the Sprint. This part of the plan is what I refer to in my previous question as the tasks, work, or scope, which is broken down into the Product Backlog Items (PBIs) selected by the team for the Sprint.
However, the part of the Sprint Backlog I'm asking about in terms of changes is the actual Product Backlog Items selected by the team for the Sprint during Sprint Planning, which I refer to as Sprint Backlog Items. The point of keeping Sprint Backlog items fixed is not mentioned in the Scrum Guide, but is discussed in various other sources. One source includes Jeff Sutherland's current website, Sruminc.com, which says, "Once the team envisions the number of stories they feel they can accomplish in the Sprint Backlog, there should be no additions or changes until the end of the Sprint." " (otherwise, it would not be what is considered a Sprint interruption and an exception process would have to be followed.)
There are definitely benefits to keeping Sprint Backlog items as flat as possible, including providing a safe environment for developers to stay focused and as productive as possible during the short duration of a Sprint Timebox to ensure quality goals are met. . It may be necessary to renegotiate the scope of a Sprint Backlog item (User Story) and deliver an item with a smaller scope than originally planned and then add a new User Story to the Product Backlog for the remainder of the scope for a future career. . However, this is a change in the meaning/scope of an element, not the element itself.
Based on your answer, you are saying that the concept of a somewhat fixed set of Sprint Backlog Items selected from the Product Backlog for the Sprint is no longer applicable and you can add, change, remove, or replace Backlog Items. of the Sprint Sprint during a Sprint to best achieve the Sprint Goal, perhaps as long as both the Development Team and the Product Owner agree. Are there any specific rules/limitations regarding the types of changes that can be made to Sprint Backlog items during the Sprint?
Please let me know.
Thanks for the help,
karen sullivan
ian mitchell
05:39 May 8, 2017
The Scrum Guide is the definitive expression of the Scrum Framework. Therefore, the entire Sprint Backlog, including selected Product Backlog items, is mutable. Only the agreed Sprint Goal is set.
Changes to the Sprint Backlog, including the PBI selection, should help the team reach the Sprint Goal. Any changes to additions or removals must not put the meta at risk. If there is an adjustment in the GDP forecast, then this scope change should not compromise the Target.
The Product Owner has final authority on whether a change to the PBI selection in a Sprint Backlog would help or hinder the achievement of the agreed Sprint Goal. However, the Sprint Backlog belongs entirely to the Development Team and only they are authorized to make such changes.
karen sullivan
19:44 May 9, 2017
ian,
Thank you very much for your response to this question as well as my other questions in the question pool I originally asked that you suggested splitting into separate posts. I appreciate your answers.
To be very honest with you, the reason I asked this particular question in many ways was because I feel that not having a stable set of PBIs over the short duration of a Sprint timebox takes away from an important benefit of Scrum, which is: provide a safe environment for developers to stay focused and be as productive as possible during the short duration of a sprint time frame to ensure quality goals are met. Using a fixed scope approach is very good from a scope management perspective because you are not constantly changing the items in the Sprint Backlog and you are allowing the team to focus on getting the job done and delivering quality results during the Sprint. . You are still being agile by adapting the changes at the end of each Sprint based on stakeholder feedback in the Sprint Review, as well as other discussions the Product Owner has with stakeholders that allow changes to be made to the pipeline. products.
Your answer to my question leads me to ask why not use a continuous (more flexible) approach like Kanban or ScrumBan where there are no Sprints or Sprint Backlogs but you have full flexibility in terms of changing items to meet the Sprint at any time?
Please let me know.
Thanks again for your help,
karen sullivan
ian mitchell
05:16 May 10, 2017
Typically, a Kanban team is not expected to commit and focus on one overall goal, on cadence. The ability to do this can be useful in mitigating the significant risks that underlie the development of complex systems. That is the essence of a sprint goal.
In Scrum, the Sprint Backlog (that is, the work plan and forecast) can be changed at any time if it helps the development team achieve the goal. Any change that generates instability and puts the Goal at risk must be avoided. The team must always know how much work is left and must be able to demonstrate good control of the sprint.
Note that Scrum, as a framework, is not prescriptive about how a team makes its commitments. If it is advantageous for a team to commit to certain specific items in a Sprint Backlog, they are free to do so. What is important is that all members of the Scrum Team, including the Development Team and the PO, have a clear and shared understanding of this.
karen sullivan
13:26 May 11, 2017
Ian, thank you for your comments. It is very useful. karen sullivan
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FAQs
Who has final say over changes to the Sprint Backlog during a sprint? ›
Only the development team can change its sprint Backlog during a Sprint. - Scrum Guide, Page 15. Development team is sole owner of Sprint Backlog.
How many times can the Product Backlog be changed in Scrum? ›While the product backlog can be changed frequently at any time, according to the always-changing realities in an organization or in the market, the sprint backlog should remain as fixed as possible throughout the duration of the sprint.
Can the Sprint Backlog be changed once it is finalized during the sprint planning meeting? ›The Sprint Backlog and its contents are fully formulated in the Sprint Planning meeting and do not change during the Sprint.
Can Product Owner change the Product Backlog any time? ›However, the product owner can update the items of the product Backlog at any time or make decisions as appropriate. Product Backlog Grooming is an on-going activity in Sprint rather than a timebox event, together with product owners and development teams.
What happens if the work in the Sprint Backlog Cannot be completed by the end of the sprint? ›At the end of a sprint, if there is incomplete work: "All incomplete Product Backlog Items are re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog." This does not have to mean that the sprint was unsuccessful, as per the Scrum Guide: "If the Development Team determines it has too much or too little work, it may ...
What happens when the product backlog is not clear enough at Sprint planning? ›Agile coaches answer:
If the Product Backlog Items are not ready enough for the Development Team to be pulled into the Sprint, they have to either be refined or not pulled in the Sprint Planning. Anyhow you will have plenty of topics for the Retrospective of that Sprint so that this doesn't happen again.
That's known as backlog grooming or backlog refinement. It consists in adding, deleting and prioritizing tasks in the agile product backlog to maximize the efficiency of an agile workflow. This is done during an agile event called product backlog grooming meeting.
Who can make changes in the product backlog select two options? ›In my experience the product backlog is the Product Owner's to change around with input from stakeholders and the development team, whereas the sprint backlog is more open to change by the PO, development team; stakeholders might influence changes in either case.
Who changes backlog during iteration? ›PO owns the Product backlog and is responsible for managing it to meet product goal. He/She is the only one who can change it with the suggestions from others..
How do I switch backlog to active on sprint? ›- User Stories from the backlog will be loaded.
- Click on the “+” icon on next to User Story and it will be added to the currently loaded Sprint.
- User Story will be added at the top of the Sprint.
When can new tasks be added to a Sprint Backlog? ›
As new work is required, the Development Team adds it to the Sprint Backlog. As work is performed or completed, the estimated remaining work is updated. When elements of the plan are deemed unnecessary, they are removed. Only the Development Team can change its Sprint Backlog during a Sprint.
Which of the following is constantly updated to keep track of changes in requirements in Scrum? ›Continuous Improvement is a Scrum approach in which the team learns from experience and stakeholder engagement to constantly keep the Prioritized Product Backlog updated with any changes in requirements.
When should the product owner update the Product Backlog? ›The product owner is free to re-prioritize work in the backlog at any time due to customer feedback, refining estimates, and new requirements. Once work is in progress, though, keep changes to a minimum as they disrupt the development team and affect focus, flow, and morale.
Which of the following may cause changes to the Product Backlog? ›Business requirements, market conditions or technology can cause modifications to the backlog, making it an ever-evolving artifact. The listed items can be features, bug fixes or other non-functional requirements. The entire team has access to the product backlog, but the product owner is solely responsible for it.
What might cause changes to a Product Backlog? ›Changes in business requirements, market conditions, or technology may cause changes in the Product Backlog. It continuously evolves as the product and the project environment evolves. Requirements of a project is never stop changing, so a Product Backlog serves as a living Scrum artifact.
What happens to the incomplete Product Backlog items when the sprint is over? ›When a Sprint is cancelled, any completed and "Done" Product Backlog items are reviewed. If part of the work is potentially releasable, the Product Owner typically accepts it. All incomplete Product Backlog Items are re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog.
What two things should happen to a Product Backlog item if at the end of sprint the item does not meet definition of done? ›If a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review. Instead, it returns to the Product Backlog for future consideration.
What happens with incomplete Sprint Backlog items? ›"All incomplete Product Backlog Items are re-estimated and put back on the Product Backlog. The work done on them depreciates quickly and must be frequently re-estimated."
How frequently Sprint Backlog should be updated? ›During the Scrum sprint, team members are expected to update the sprint backlog as new information is available, but minimally once per day. Many teams will do this during the daily scrum.
Does backlog refinement happen before sprint planning? ›Aim to refine your backlog once every sprint, during your sprint review and before your sprint planning meeting. Typically, the product manager is responsible for refining the product backlog as an ongoing activity.
How much of the Sprint Backlog should be defined during the sprint planning meeting? ›
A good guideline is for the product owner to come to the sprint planning meeting prepared to talk about two sprint's worth of product backlog items.
Who is responsible for identifying changes and updating the product backlog? ›A product owner's primary responsibilities are to define user stories and create a product backlog. They serve as a primary point of contact on the customer's behalf to recognize the requirements of the product for the development team. This product backlog acts as a prioritized set of customer requirements.
How does a product backlog change over a project? ›A product backlog requires continuous refinement as new items are added and priorities change. As features are prioritized for implementation, each one is then moved to a release backlog. Here, the requirements for each feature are defined in greater detail.
When can the product backlog be updated quizlet? ›When can the Product Backlog be updated? Feedback: The Product Backlog is dynamic; it constantly changes to identify what the product needs in order to be appropriate, competitive, and useful. Product Backlog items can be updated at any time by the Product Owner or at the Product Owner's discretion.
Who is allowed to make changes in the product backlog choose the most correct statement? ›It does state that the Product Owner is accountable for effective management of the Product Backlog but they can do the work or delegate responsibilities to others.
Which two types of items are maintained in the team backlog choose two? ›The Team Backlog contains user and enabler Stories that originate from the Program Backlog, as well as stories that arise locally from the team's local context.
Who can make changes to the requirements on the product backlog in scrum? ›Only the Product Owner has this authority, although the Development Team, the Scrum Master, or stakeholders may influence the decision.
Which of the following role is responsible for updating the product backlog in agile? ›One of the most important responsibilities for a scrum product owner is managing the product backlog. This is the development team's project to-do list. The product owner's responsibility is to create the list of backlog items and prioritize them based on the overall strategy and business objectives.
Who is responsible for all estimates in the product backlog and changes in the sprint backlog? ›The Development Team is responsible for all estimates of the Product Backlog Items. 2. Only the Development Team can change its Sprint Backlog during a Sprint. 3.
How do you handle requirement changes in agile? ›- Customer input happens throughout the development process. ...
- Product backlog sets development priorities. ...
- Daily meetings promote communications. ...
- Task boards make developer tasks and details visible. ...
- User stories and sprints orchestrate change.
Can you add items to sprint backlog? ›
When a sprint has started, it's only possible to add in existing product backlog items to the sprint backlog. However, Scrum states that the sprint backlog can be added to directly by the development team at any time, as they often need to elaborate on existing product backlog items, adding in requirements, tasks, etc.
Is sprint backlog frozen after sprint planning? ›"The sprint backlog is frozen when the Sprint Planning is done, and no one can change it for any reason. "
What happens in sprint backlog? ›A sprint backlog is a subset of the product backlog and lists the work items to complete in one specific sprint. The purpose of the sprint backlog is to identify items from the product backlog that the team will work on during the sprint. This occurs during the sprint planning process.
Who determines when it is appropriate to update a Sprint Backlog during a sprint? ›Only the development team can change its sprint Backlog during a Sprint.
What may be included in the Sprint Backlog psm 1? ›The sprint backlog is a visualization of a sprint's to-do list. As such, it consists of top-priority items from the product backlog as well as any other tasks, subtasks, technical debts, bugs, and defects. Any item that the scrum team plans to work on during the sprint should be added to the sprint backlog.
How many times do the team members update the Sprint Backlog? ›The Sprint Backlog should be updated daily. Typically, items are in an overall Product Backlog. Teams will take those items and break them down into tasks. The tasks should be achievable in less than one day.
Can you change requirements in the middle of a sprint? ›The Scrum framework against any changes in the Sprint Backlog during the sprint, and introducing changes are only done through cancelling the sprint and re-planning.
How do you deal when requirements change frequently? ›- Setting and documenting current requirements.
- Clarifying the consequences of the changes.
- Specifying change control procedure.
- Creating a project schedule.
- Communicating with the team.
Answer: Explanation: A Change in the middle of iteration will be accepted within the same sprint only if the following conditions are satisfied: The change has been a confirmed changed with the customer. The change stands well with the value related to the proposition of a story well sprinted.
Who is allowed to make changes in the product backlog? ›The Product Owner is the person responsible for making changes to the backlog and for planning sprints.
Which of the following roles is allowed to update the product backlog? ›
Entries are reviewed and modified as they are sorted out in the product backlog list. However, the product owner can update the items of the product Backlog at any time or make decisions as appropriate.
Who can change the backlog during an iteration? ›PO owns the Product backlog and is responsible for managing it to meet product goal. He/She is the only one who can change it with the suggestions from others..
What are some of the common mistakes product managers make with the Product Backlog? ›- Mistake #1 – Rely solely on the Product Owner to defined everything in the Product Backlog. ...
- Mistake #2 – Allow the Product Backlog to age. ...
- Mistake #3 – Allow everyone and anyone to add things to the Product Backlog.
Explanation: The Product Backlog keeps being changed on a regular basis since the owner of the product or the developing team may require to add some details, certain estimates or items which the team reviews them and then works out on adding them.
Can a developer make changes to the Product Backlog? ›21. QuestionWho is allowed to make changes in the Product Backlog? Select two options. The Product OwnerThe Development Team, but with permission of the Product OwnerThe Key StakeholdersThe Scrum MasterAnyoneIncorrectThe Product Owner is the sole person responsible for the Product Backlog.
When should the product owner update the product backlog? ›The product owner is free to re-prioritize work in the backlog at any time due to customer feedback, refining estimates, and new requirements. Once work is in progress, though, keep changes to a minimum as they disrupt the development team and affect focus, flow, and morale.
What typically happens if the product backlog is not sufficient? ›If the Product Backlog is not in a fit state for Sprint Planning, then the Sprint cannot commence. Since a Sprint is a container for the other Scrum events, this means that those events cannot be held at all. What the team need to do is to refine the Product Backlog so that it is fit for purpose and a Sprint can start.
Who has the authority to change or cancel a sprint? ›Though Cancelling the sprint isn't a frequent situation. In Scrum framework it's at the discretion of the Product Owner(PO) to cancel the sprint if PO realize that the sprint goal and plan isn't adding value to the product. In Scrum only PO has the authority to cancel sprint.
Who finalizes sprint backlog? ›Product Owner.
The sprint backlog is finalized during the Sprint Planning meeting, which happens on the first day of the sprint. During Sprint Planning, the Product owner tells the team the features he is looking for in the sprint (reflected in product backlog priority).
A Sprint can be cancelled before the Sprint time-box is over. Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint, although he or she may do so under influence from the stakeholders, the Development Team, or the Scrum Master. A Sprint would be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
Who can change backlog during an iteration? ›
PO owns the Product backlog and is responsible for managing it to meet product goal. He/She is the only one who can change it with the suggestions from others.. Dev Team owns the Sprint backlog and changes it during the Sprint to deliver the increment.
Which of the following should be included in the Sprint Backlog? ›As described in the Scrum Guide, the Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint (what), as well as an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (how). The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers.
Who determines how many items to select for the Sprint Backlog? ›It is 100% up to the development team to select the numbers of items from the product backlog for the sprint. The development team decides what they can accomplish and commit to for the upcoming sprint.
Can Product Owner make changes to the requirement during the Sprint? ›If, in the course of the sprint, the Scrum Team identifies that the Sprint Backlog will no longer help them to meet the Sprint Goal, the Developers and Product Owner can inspect and adapt the scope, negotiating the change based on what's best to do technically and what is of higher value.
How often is the Sprint Backlog updated? ›During the Scrum sprint, team members are expected to update the sprint backlog as new information is available, but minimally once per day. Many teams will do this during the daily scrum.
How do you handle a Sprint Backlog? ›An effective sprint backlog must contain all user stories the team needs to address during the sprint. The Scrum master and product owner must break down each item in the backlog into specific tasks and prioritized each task according to the needs of the product owner.
When all the Sprint Backlog items are completed? ›All Sprint Backlog items are completed before the end of the Sprint.
Can Scrum Master cancel a Sprint? ›Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint, although he or she may do so under influence from the stakeholders, the Development Team, or the Scrum Master.
Who determines Sprint length in scrum? ›In Scrum, it's the Product Owner.
The decision rests with them – usually during or immediately after the initial product discovery workshop and before the first sprint planning meeting (the team can't plan the sprint effectively if they don't know how long it will be!)
Scrum exists only in its entirety and functions well as a container for other techniques, methodologies, and practices. You cannot remove Scrum events (ceremonies, as you call them) and still have Scrum.
Which of the following roles is responsible for updating the product backlog? ›
In most cases, the product owner (or product manager) holds responsibility for organizing and maintaining the product backlog.
When can new tasks be added to a sprint backlog? ›As new work is required, the Development Team adds it to the Sprint Backlog. As work is performed or completed, the estimated remaining work is updated. When elements of the plan are deemed unnecessary, they are removed. Only the Development Team can change its Sprint Backlog during a Sprint.