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PSPO I — Practice Question

How Much of the Sprint Backlog Should Be Defined in Planning?

Question

How much of the Sprint Backlog must be defined during the Sprint Planning event?(choose the best answer)

Options

  • A. Enough so the Developers can create their forecast of what they can do.
  • B. Just enough tasks for the Scrum Master to be confident in the Developers’ understanding of the Sprint.
  • C. Just enough to understand design and architectural implications.
  • D. The entire Sprint Backlog must be identified and estimated by the end of the Sprint Planning.

Answer

  • A. Enough so the Developers can create their forecast of what they can do.

Explanation

During the Sprint Planning event, Scrum Teams must define enough of the Sprint Backlog to create a realistic forecast of what they can achieve during the upcoming Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a living artifact that can evolve and be refined throughout the Sprint, allowing for flexibility and adaptation. The Sprint Goal is also set collaboratively during this planning session, ensuring the team is aligned on the objectives for the Sprint. By focusing on creating a feasible plan and forecast, Scrum Teams can better position themselves to successfully meet their Sprint Goals and deliver value through Agile methodologies.

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Show Detailed Analysis
A. Enough so the Developers can create their forecast of what they can do. This is the correct answer because during Sprint Planning, the Developers need to understand what they can realistically achieve based on their capacity and the complexity of the items selected from the Product Backlog. It is essential that they define enough of the Sprint Backlog to make an informed forecast, which drives accountability and transparency in the Sprint. The other options present misconceptions about the purpose and scope of Sprint Planning. B. Just enough tasks for the Scrum Master to be confident in the Developers’ understanding of the Sprint. This is misleading as the Scrum Master's role is to facilitate rather than dictate how much work is defined. C. Just enough to understand design and architectural implications. While understanding design is important, this does not encompass the full scope of work needed for a successful Sprint. D. The entire Sprint Backlog must be identified and estimated by the end of the Sprint Planning. This is incorrect as it implies that everything must be fully defined upfront, which contradicts the Agile principle of embracing change and adapting as necessary throughout the Sprint.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
{'B': "This option incorrectly suggests that the Scrum Master should dictate how much work is defined, which undermines the Developers' autonomy and self-organization. The focus should be on enabling the Developers to make their own forecasts based on their understanding.", 'C': 'While understanding design and architecture is crucial, this option narrows the focus too much. The Sprint Backlog should encompass all work needed to deliver a potentially releasable Increment, not just design considerations.', 'D': 'This option misinterprets the nature of the Sprint Backlog. It is not necessary to have a complete and detailed Sprint Backlog at the end of Sprint Planning; rather, it should be sufficient for the Developers to create a forecast, allowing for flexibility and adaptation during the Sprint.'}
Real-World Application
In a software development team, during Sprint Planning, the Developers review selected Product Backlog items. They discuss and break down the User Stories into tasks, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the work involved. They agree on a forecast of what they can achieve, which may include defining only the first few tasks in detail. As they progress, they remain flexible to adapt their plan based on emerging insights.
Common Pitfalls

Students often confuse the roles of the Scrum Team members during Sprint Planning, leading to misconceptions about the responsibilities of the Scrum Master versus the Developers. Additionally, they may not fully grasp the need for flexibility in defining the Sprint Backlog.

Expert Insights

Scrum Guide Reference

Scrum Guide 2020, Section on Sprint Planning

Expert Author

SC

Sarah Chen

Certified Scrum Master & Agile Coach

Sprint ceremonies, team facilitation, impediment removal

Key Concepts

Sprint Planning Sprint Backlog Developers' Forecast Self-organization Agile Principles

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