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Sprint Backlog

5 minutes 5 Questions

The Sprint Backlog is a subset of the Product Backlog that includes items chosen for the current Sprint. It is developed during the Sprint Planning meeting. Based on priorities set by the Product Owner, team members select items from the Product Backlog to work on during the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a forecast by the development team about what functionality will be made available in the next increment. The team manages and updates it during the Daily Standup meeting through consistent transparency, inspection, and adaptation.

A Complete Guide about Sprint Backlog

Sprint Backlog is a set of items that the team plans to work on during a Sprint. It includes a collection of tasks and features which are selected from the product backlog and it's the team's forecast of the work to be done during a Sprint.
It's crucial because it provides a clear understanding of what work needs to be done, assists in predicting the time required to complete the tasks, and help to manage workload and distribution of tasks among the team.
Essentially, the items in a Sprint Backlog transform the project's goals into tangible tasks. As the team proceeds with those tasks, the goals get closer to completion.
How it works: In the Sprint Planning meeting, based on the priority and team capacity, items are moved from the product backlog to the sprint backlog.
The team then breaks down the items into tasks and distributes those tasks among themselves. Throughout the Sprint, the team members update the Sprint Backlog as new information is available.
Exam Tips - Answering Questions on Sprint Backlog:
1. Understand that Sprint Backlog is not static. It can be updated and re-prioritized by the development team during a Sprint.
2. Recall that it reflects the work that the team anticipates they will be able to complete in the current Sprint.
3. Keep in mind that the capacity of the team and the sprint goal play a critical role while creating a Sprint Backlog.
4. Remember, the Sprint Backlog can only be changed and managed by the development team.

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Question 1

The Team is unable to determine the status of tasks in the Sprint Backlog. As a Scrum Master, what could you introduce to help the team?

Correct Answer: Introduce a visual management tool such as a task board or a burndown chart.

The best solution as a Scrum Master when team members can't observe the status of tasks in the sprint backlog is to introduce a visual organization tool such as a task board or a burndown chart. A task board clearly demonstrates the status of each task in a sprint making it simpler and easier for everybody to see the progression of work. A burndown chart, on the other hand, graphically represents the actual and projected rate of work complete over time. Both these tools are effective ways to visualize progress and increase transparency. The remaining answers are not ideal solutions. Requesting the Product Owner to monitor the team's progress more closely does not address the core issue which is lack of visibility into the status of tasks. Suggesting the team members to work overtime won't necessarily aid in making the status of the tasks clearer, it might only overwork the team. Taking over the responsibility of Sprint backlog isn't Scrum Master's role and it doesn't solve the issue of visibility to the team.

Question 2

During a Daily Scrum, a developer states that a task in the Sprint Backlog is taking longer than expected because of unforeseen complexities. As a Scrum Master, what is the best course of action?

Correct Answer: Encourage the Development Team to self-organize and find a solution to the complexities, ensuring transparency and preserving the Sprint scope as much as possible.

Scrum encourages teams to be self-organizing, to communicate among themselves, and to collectively tackle issues that arise during a Sprint. Extending the Sprint, reducing the definition of done, or unnecessarily escalating the problem contradicts Scrum principles of time-boxing, maintaining quality, and team autonomy. The correct answer emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and problem-solving within the team. Breaking down tasks or renegotiating the Sprint scope with the Product Owner could be considered if the team deems it necessary, but those actions should preserve the integrity of Scrum principles.

Question 3

The team often struggles with the Sprint Backlog because they do not fully grasp the Acceptance Criteria (AC) for some items. How could you, the Scrum Master, assist them?

Correct Answer: Organize a refinement session to go over the AC with the Product Owner and team to ensure a shared understanding.

The best way to address the issue of unclear Acceptance Criteria (AC) is by organizing a refinement session with both the Product Owner and the team, ensuring that everyone has a shared understanding of what is expected. Using the definition of done (DoD) as a substitute for AC does not address the problem because both serve different purposes. Escalating the issue to higher management is not in line with Scrum principles, which advocate for self-organizing teams. While splitting items into smaller tasks may help in some cases, it does not directly ensure that the AC is understood by the team; rather, it could lead to further confusion if not managed properly.

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