Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog

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In Scrum, work is organized into a list known as the Product Backlog. This backlog contains everything that needs to be done. The Product Owner is responsible for maintaining this list. Prior to each Sprint, the team meets to select the items from the Product Backlog that they will work on during t…

Guide: Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog

Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog are vital tools in Scrum for organizing work and prioritizing tasks. Understanding both will improve your prospects in the PSM-I exam.

The Product Backlog is a prioritized list of all possible work for the project, maintained by the Product Owner. The most important items are usually at the top of this list.

The Sprint Backlog is a subset of the Product Backlog allocated to an upcoming sprint. It's a tactical plan created by the Development Team illustrating how to achieve the sprint goal.

When answering exam questions related to these topics, consider: ownership (Product Owner owns Product Backlog; Development Team owns Sprint Backlog), purpose (Product Backlog is strategic; Sprint Backlog is tactical), and content (Product Backlog contains features; Sprint Backlog contains tasks).
Exam Tips:
1. Pay attention to the wording in questions. Understanding the difference between a 'task' and a 'feature' can make a difference in your answer.
2. Understand how items get from the Product Backlog to the Sprint Backlog. This usually involves a process of selection during sprint planning.
3. Be sure you know who is responsible for each backlog and why.
4. Remember that the Sprint Backlog can change during the sprint as the team gains a more refined understanding of their work.

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PSM I - Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog

Question 1

A conflict arises between the product owner and the development team over an item placed high in the Product Backlog, which according to the team requires much more work than estimated by the product owner. As a Scrum Master, what is the most suitable solution?

Engage an external consultant to provide an unbiased estimate for the disputed backlog item and suggest its placement in the Product Backlog. Instruct the development team to prioritize a spike to investigate the item further before making any decisions. Allow the product owner to adjust the priority of the item based on their judgment, emphasizing the importance of their role. Organize a refinement session to reassess the item's complexity and ensure mutual understanding between the product owner and the development team.

Correct Answer: Organize a refinement session to reassess the item's complexity and ensure mutual understanding between the product owner and the development team.

As a Scrum Master, the most suitable action is to facilitate collaboration between the Product Owner and the Development Team. Organizing a backlog refinement session allows both parties to discuss the backlog item, reassess its complexity, and reach a mutual understanding. This promotes effective communication, helps resolve the conflict regarding estimations, and ensures that the item is accurately defined and estimated. By doing so, the Scrum Master supports the Scrum Team in delivering value effectively while adhering to Scrum practices.

Question 2

A critical task has been mistakenly classified as not important in the product backlog. As a Scrum Master, what is the best course of action?

Directly assign the task to a development team member with available capacity to ensure it gets done immediately. Organize a special meeting with all stakeholders to vote on the reclassification of the task before taking further action, ensuring everyone's agreement before proceeding. Collaborate with the Product Owner to reassess the task's priority and adjust the product backlog accordingly. Suggest to the development team to include the task in the current Sprint without altering the backlog to maintain process integrity.

Correct Answer: Collaborate with the Product Owner to reassess the task's priority and adjust the product backlog accordingly.

The Scrum Master's role involves facilitating and supporting the Scrum framework, including collaboration with the Product Owner to ensure the product backlog accurately reflects the needs of the business and is prioritized effectively. Direct adjustment of the backlog or bypassing the Product Owner undermines the Scrum roles and artifacts. Including tasks in the Sprint without alignment or holding unnecessary large-scale meetings deviates from Scrum principles of self-organization and maximizing value through prioritization by the Product Owner.

Question 3

The Development team has issues understanding some items in the Product Backlog during a Sprint Planning meeting. What is the best immediate action to take?

The Development team and the Product Owner work together to clarify the ambiguous items. The Scrum Master assigns someone from the Development Team to research and present findings. The team should vote on the priority of ambiguous items and decide on a temporary understanding. The team continues with Sprint Planning by estimating the effort for the items based on the best available understanding, intending to adjust during the Sprint if necessary.

Correct Answer: The Development team and the Product Owner work together to clarify the ambiguous items.

In Scrum, collaboration and communication are key. If the Development Team has issues understanding some Product Backlog items during Sprint Planning, the immediate and most effective action is for the Development Team and the Product Owner to work together to clarify. This ensures a shared understanding and enables the team to make informed commitments for the Sprint. Other options, like assigning research tasks, voting without clear understanding, or proceeding with planning based on assumptions, either do not address the root problem directly or introduce unnecessary risks and complexities.

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