SCRUM Artifacts and Commitments 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is accountable for the Product Backlog?
- The Product Owner (Correct answer)
- The Developers
- The Scrum Master
- The stakeholders
Correct answer: The Product Owner
The Product Owner is accountable for the Product Backlog, including its content, ordering, and transparency.
Question 2: Who owns and manages the Sprint Backlog?
- The Developers (Correct answer)
- The Product Owner
- The Scrum Master
- Management
Correct answer: The Developers
The Sprint Backlog is created by and belongs to the Developers, who manage it throughout the Sprint.
Question 3: What three elements make up the Sprint Backlog?
- The Sprint Goal, the selected Product Backlog items, and the plan to deliver them (Correct answer)
- Bugs, tasks, and stories
- The Product Goal, velocity, and burndown
- Epics, features, and releases
Correct answer: The Sprint Goal, the selected Product Backlog items, and the plan to deliver them
The Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the selected items (what), and the actionable plan (how).
Question 4: How often should the Sprint Backlog be updated?
- Throughout the Sprint as more is learned (Correct answer)
- Only at Sprint Planning
- Only at the Daily Scrum
- Only at Sprint Review
Correct answer: Throughout the Sprint as more is learned
The Sprint Backlog is a highly visible, real-time picture updated throughout the Sprint as the Developers learn more.
Question 5: What characteristic should Product Backlog items near the top of the list have?
- They are more refined, clear, and ready for selection (Correct answer)
- They contain the most technical debt
- They are estimated in hours only
- They are owned by individual Developers
Correct answer: They are more refined, clear, and ready for selection
Items higher in the Product Backlog are usually clearer and more detailed through refinement, making them ready for selection.
Question 6: What is Product Backlog refinement?
- The ongoing act of breaking down and adding detail to backlog items (Correct answer)
- A formal Scrum event held weekly
- A one-time activity before the project starts
- The Scrum Master's exclusive responsibility
Correct answer: The ongoing act of breaking down and adding detail to backlog items
Refinement is the ongoing activity of adding detail, estimates, and order to Product Backlog items, not a formal event.
Question 7: Can the Product Backlog ever be considered complete?
- No, it is dynamic and evolves as long as the product exists (Correct answer)
- Yes, once all items are estimated
- Yes, at the end of each Sprint
- Yes, once the Product Goal is written
Correct answer: No, it is dynamic and evolves as long as the product exists
The Product Backlog is dynamic and constantly evolves to reflect what the product needs as long as it exists.
SCRUM Artifacts and Commitments 3
Who is accountable for the Product Backlog?