Myth or Fact

The Sprint Backlog can be changed during the Sprint

FACT - The Sprint Goal is fixed, but the work to achieve the Sprint Goal is flexible.

Many teams and organisations still believe that all items in the Sprint must be completed to have a successful Sprint. In all fairness, the team has given their commitment, right? Not quite!

The word "commitment" is often interpreted as "promise" by many people, this element was changed in the 2020 Scrum Guide. The emphasis is more on committing to the Sprint Goal and dealing with uncertainty during the Sprint.

"The Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. Although the Sprint Goal is a commitment by the Developers, it provides flexibility in terms of the exact work needed to achieve it"
The Scrum Guide™ 2020

Scrum is about reaching goals, not about finishing work items. There is value in goals, not necessarily in work items. A fixed Sprint Backlog is usually an indication of a missing Sprint Goal. When explaining a good Sprint Goal versus a fixed Sprint Backlog, I tend to sketch up the following image:

Sprint Goal in Sprint Backlog — Sprint Goal explained

This image shows that a fixed Sprint Backlog takes away all flexibility to effectively reach the Sprint Goal and add maximum value in the Sprint. It kills the creativity in the team and is a sign of little autonomy. And overall it can be demotivating for team members. That is why the Sprint Goal is fixed, but the work to achieve that goal is flexible.

"As the Developers work during the Sprint, they keep the Sprint Goal in mind. If the work turns out to be different than they expected, they collaborate with the Product Owner to negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint without affecting the Sprint Goal. "
The Scrum Guide™ 2020

Shorten the feedbackloop

In the Agile world, it is common practice to develop in short iterations to shorten the feedback loop. The obvious iteration in Scrum is, of course, the Sprint. But there is a second, even shorter iteration: The Daily Scrum. The Daily Scrum is a mini-planning and tactical event where the Developers inspect their progress towards the Sprint Goal and determine what needs to be done or changed to reach it. It is a formal opportunity to review and, if necessary, adjust the plans and the Sprint Backlog.

If the Sprint Backlog were fixed, the Daily Scrum would become a status report meeting rather than a collaboration moment for inspecting and adapting towards a common goal. And it would become much harder to effectively reach the Sprint Goal and add maximum value.

"The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work. "
The Scrum Guide™ 2020

Conclusion

We can conclude that the Sprint Backlog can indeed be changed during the Sprint. It is a living plan to achieve the Sprint Goal, and it can change at any time during the Sprint. The Sprint Goal, however, is fixed!

This article has been written by our Scrum Facilitator Community members, edited by Scrum Facilitator Ziryan Salayi

Hi, my name is Jan-Willem Rutten and I'm a Scrum Master, coach, trainer and workshopper. I've been working as a Scrum Master for many years and still love to support teams and organizations find their way in this ever-changing world. My goal is to unleash self-organization and continuous learning in individuals, teams and companies. I have a natural drive to bring people together and take great joy in designing and facilitating workshops and group sessions.

More info on www.DeWorkshopper.nl