Refinement is done by the Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, breaking items into smaller, more precise pieces. If earlier Sprints left the top items too vague to start, the team refines them during the current Sprint.
Exam Question
If Product Backlog refinement is needed, when is the ideal time for refinement to take place and who should participate? (choose the best two answers)
- A. The Scrum Team during the current Sprint, if they have been unable during preceding Sprints to define Product Backlog items with enough precision to begin work.
- B. The Product Owner takes the time between the end of one Sprint and the start of the next Sprint to complete refinement.
- C. The Product Owner must do this as essential work in Sprint 0.
- D. The Scrum Team on an ongoing basis, defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items that are ready for selection.
- E. Business analysts in the organization should do this work for the Scrum Team 1-2 Sprints ahead of the development Sprints.
Correct Answer
A and D.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Scrum Guide calls refinement “the act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items” and says “this is an ongoing activity.” It is not a phase or a separate event. The Developers who will do the work size the items, and the Product Owner helps them understand the trade-offs. When refinement has fallen behind, the team catches up inside the Sprint as part of its normal work, rather than inventing a special gap or Sprint for it.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
B. The Product Owner refines between Sprints. There is no time between Sprints: a new Sprint starts right after the previous one ends. Refinement is also a team activity.
C. The Product Owner must do it in Sprint 0. Scrum has no Sprint 0. Every Sprint is meant to produce a usable Increment.
E. Business analysts do it 1-2 Sprints ahead. Handing refinement to people outside the Scrum Team splits the team’s knowledge and creates hand-offs.
Exam Tip
“Sprint 0”, “between Sprints” and “hardening Sprint” are traps. None of them exist in Scrum.
Key Takeaways
- Refinement is ongoing and done by the Scrum Team.
- There is no gap between Sprints and no Sprint 0.
- Catching up on refinement happens inside the current Sprint.
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