By understanding each of these components distinctly, we can better grasp the dynamic nature of Scrum and how it facilitates agile project management. In this article, we will identify the purposes of and significant attributes of these three components.
I. Product Backlog
Purpose: The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of requirements for any changes to be made to the product. The Product Owner is responsible for the Product Backlog, including its content, availability, and ordering.
Attributes:
- Prioritized: Each item in the backlog (commonly known as a user story) is prioritized based on its value to the project. The most important items get developed first.
- Dynamic: The Product Backlog is a living artifact that evolves as the product and the environment in which it is used evolves. As such, it is never complete.
- Detailed Appropriately: The Product Backlog items have the clarity and detail that the team needs. Higher ordered items are usually more detailed than lower ordered ones.
Example: Consider a project to develop a mobile application. The product backlog may contain user stories, such as “As a user, I want to log in so that I can access personalized features,” prioritized and detailed based on the product needs.
II. Sprint Backlog
Purpose: The Sprint Backlog is a set of items from the Product Backlog chosen for the Sprint that aligns with the Sprint Goal. The Development Team creates and manages it.
Attributes:
- Flexible: The Sprint Backlog is flexible in the sense that it shows the work needed to deliver the Sprint Goal. If needed, the team can re-negotiate it with the Product Owner.
- Updated Daily: To align with the real-time progress and challenges, the Sprint Backlog is updated daily.
- Visible: The Sprint Backlog is easily understandable and accessible to all stakeholders to promote transparency and foster better communication.
Example: Continuing with the mobile application development scenario, the Sprint Backlog may include specific features from the Product Backlog which the team commits to developing in the given sprint.
III. Increment
Purpose: The Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and all previous Sprints. It must be in a usable condition regardless of whether the Product Owner decides to release it.
Attributes:
- Potentially Releasable: The Increment must be “Done,” meaning it must be in a usable condition and meets the Definition of Done, which team agrees upon.
- Cumulative: It is the sum of all the Product Backlog items from the current and previous sprints.
- Value Addition: Each increment represents a step forward in terms of adding value to the product.
Example: For our illustration, the increment of a sprint in the mobile application development project could be a fully functional login feature with a version ready to be rolled out.
Understanding the purposes and attributes of the Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment aids in more comprehensively adopting the Scrum framework. It leads to the creation of quality products, increased collaboration between team stakeholders, and improved responses to challenges.
Practice Test
True or False: The Product Backlog is a list of all desired work on the project.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Product Backlog is a list of everything that might be done in the project. It’s an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product.
Which of the following are attributes of the Product Backlog?
- A) It’s a complete list of all tasks to be done in the project.
- B) It includes bug fixes and improvements.
- C) It’s never changed once it is set.
- D) It’s prioritized by the Product Owner.
Answer: B, D.
Explanation: A Product Backlog can include all sorts of different types of items, including new features, improvements to existing features, bug fixes, and technical work. Additionally, it should be constantly refined and prioritized by the Product Owner.
True or False: The Sprint Backlog is a list of tasks to be completed during the current sprint.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Sprint Backlog is the subset of Product Backlog items that the team aims to complete during the current Sprint.
What is the purpose of the Increment in Scrum?
- A) To provide a list of all remaining work in the project
- B) To provide a clear and concise list of work for the next sprint
- C) To provide a potentially shippable product increment
- D) To delegate tasks to team members
Answer: C.
Explanation: The Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and all previous Sprints, which is at the end of a Sprint should be in a usable, potentially releasable condition.
One of the important attributes of Sprint Backlog is:
- A) It is never changed once determined.
- B) It can be updated and re-prioritized as more is learned throughout the Sprint.
- C) It only contains technical tasks.
- D) It is managed by the Product Owner.
Answer: B.
Explanation: As more is learned throughout the Sprint, it’s important for the team to be able to update and re-prioritize the Sprint Backlog.
The Product Backlog is owned and maintained by:
- A) Scrum Master.
- B) Development Team.
- C) Product Owner.
- D) Stakeholders.
Answer: C.
Explanation: The Product Owner is responsible for managing, curating, and ordering the Product Backlog.
True or False: The Increment must be in a utilisable condition regardless of whether the Product Owner decides to release it.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The increment should be “Done,” usable, and potentially releasable, regardless of whether the Product Owner decides to actually release it.
The Sprint Backlog is created during:
- A) Sprint Review.
- B) Sprint Retrospective.
- C) Sprint Planning.
- D) Daily Scrum.
Answer: C.
Explanation: During the Sprint Planning meeting, the team selects items from the Product Backlog they commit to complete during that Sprint, forming the Sprint Backlog.
The purpose of the Product Backlog is to:
- A) Record all disagreements in the team.
- B) Document all completed tasks.
- C) Act as a to-do list for the team.
- D) Prioritize and keep track of features the product needs.
Answer: D.
Explanation: The Product Backlog is meant to prioritize and keep track of features or changes required in the product, and it constantly evolves to meet the needs of the business and the end-users.
True or False: The Sprint Backlog can only be updated by the Product Owner.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: The entire Scrum Team has access to the Sprint Backlog and it can be updated as the team learns more about the tasks at hand.
Interview Questions
What is the primary purpose of the Product Backlog in Scrum?
The Product Backlog serves as the single source of requirements for any changes to be made to the product. It lists all the features, enhancements, or other changes to the product that the team has identified as necessary to achieving the product’s objectives.
Can you name three attributes of the Product Backlog in Scrum?
Three attributes are: Estimation, Priority, and Description. The Estimation provides an approximation of the effort required to complete a feature, while the Priority indicates the importance or urgency of the feature and the Description provides a brief understanding of what the feature is about.
What purpose does the Sprint Backlog serve in a Scrum project?
The Sprint Backlog provides a forecast by the Development Team about what functionality will be available in the next Increment. It makes visible all of the work that the Team identifies as necessary to meet the Sprint Goal.
Identify at least three attributes of the Sprint Backlog.
The three attributes are: Tasks, Time, and Team Members. Tasks are work items pulled from the Product Backlog to be completed within the Sprint. Time represents how long it takes to complete each task, and Team Members are the individuals responsible for completing each task.
What does the term “Increment” denote in Scrum practices?
“Increment” refers to the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints, which together form a potentially releasable product increment.
Can you name three attributes of an Increment?
Three attributes of an Increment are: it’s Potentially releasable, it’s comprised of Done Product Backlog Items, and it’s a step towards a vision or a goal.
How is the Product Backlog arranged in Scrum?
The Product Backlog in Scrum is arranged by order of priority, with the most important items at the top and the least important items at the bottom.
What is the term for a product backlog item that is not yet fully defined?
A product backlog item that is not yet fully defined is referred to as a “placeholder.”
Who is responsible for maintaining the Product Backlog in Scrum?
The Product Owner is responsible for maintaining the Product Backlog.
Who determines which items from the product backlog go into the Sprint Backlog?
The Development Team determines which items from the Product Backlog will go into the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint Planning Meeting.
Why is the Increment called “Potentially releasable”?
It’s called “potentially releasable” because it should be of sufficient quality and performance, fulfilling the Definition of Done, that the Product Owner could choose to release it.
Is it mandatory for the Increment to be released at the end of each Sprint?
No, it’s not mandatory. The Product Owner has the decision on whether to release it or not.
How frequently is a new Product Backlog created?
A product backlog is not created anew for every Sprint. Instead, it is a living artifact that evolves as the product and the environment in which it will be used evolves.
Who is responsible for updating the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint?
The Development Team is responsible for updating the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint.
Can the Product Backlog contain technical tasks?
Yes, the Product Backlog can contain technical tasks, but it mainly focuses on functionalities and features from a user perspective.
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