Sprint Backlog

March 25, 2025
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What is Sprint Backlog?

A sprint backlog is a list of tasks and deliverables that a development team commits to completing during a single sprint, which is a short, time-boxed period in agile project management. The team creates this list during sprint planning and derives it from the product backlog, which contains all potential work items for the project. The sprint backlog clarifies what the team will build and how they plan to do it during the sprint.

Unlike the product backlog, which can evolve continuously, the sprint backlog remains stable for the duration of the sprint unless the team approves changes. This tactical plan helps team members focus on priority items and track progress daily. The sprint backlog belongs solely to the development team, giving them control and accountability for delivery.

Key Points

  • Created during the sprint planning meeting at the start of each sprint
  • Contains selected product backlog items along with associated tasks and estimates
  • Owned and maintained by the development team throughout the sprint
  • Helps the team stay focused, collaborate effectively, and track their daily progress
  • Can be updated during the sprint to reflect completed work and adapt to insights, but scope changes are limited

Related Terms

  • The product backlog contains all project requirements; the sprint backlog is a subset chosen for a specific sprint.
  • The sprint planning process creates the sprint backlog by selecting work items from the product backlog.
  • A scrum board often visualizes the sprint backlog, showing task statuses such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.”
  • The daily scrum meeting uses the sprint backlog to help the team coordinate and review progress.
  • The definition of done helps determine when sprint backlog items are considered complete.

Sprint Backlog: Example

During a two-week sprint for a mobile banking app, the development team selects five user stories from the product backlog. These include balance viewing, transaction history, and funds transfer. The team breaks each user story into tasks such as designing interfaces, writing backend logic, and testing functionality. This list of tasks forms the sprint backlog, guiding their work for the sprint duration.

Sprint Backlog: Best Practices

  • Collaborate as a team and select realistic items to complete within the sprint timeframe.
  • Break down user stories into manageable, clearly defined tasks.
  • Review and update the sprint backlog daily to reflect completed work and adjust task estimates if needed.
  • Avoid making changes to the sprint backlog mid-sprint unless absolutely necessary and agreed upon by the team.
  • Use the sprint backlog during daily scrums to maintain transparency and focus on the sprint goal.

Additional Resources

Sprint Backlog - Agile Essentials You Always Wanted To Know     Sprint Backlog - Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process

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