Answering: “What typically happens if the Product Backlog is not sufficiently clear at Sprint Planning?” (PSPO II)

If the Product Backlog is not clear enough at Sprint Planning, the Developers will struggle to create a Sprint forecast they are confident in. Sprint Planning still happens; it is not cancelled or taken over by the Product Owner.

Exam Question

What typically happens if the Product Backlog is not sufficiently clear at Sprint Planning?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Developers will find it difficult to create a Sprint forecast they are confident they can meet.
B. Nothing in particular.
C. The Product Owner should select the Sprint Goal for the Scrum Team so that work can begin.
D. Sprint Planning is cancelled so refinement can be done first.
E. The Scrum Master should not allow this to happen. Look for a new Scrum Master and re-start the Sprint.

Correct Answer

A. The Developers will find it difficult to create a Sprint forecast they are confident they can meet.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says that during Sprint Planning “the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to include in the current Sprint,” and that their confidence grows with knowledge of past performance, capacity and the Definition of Done. Unclear items make sizing and planning guesswork. That is why refinement is ongoing, so that items near the top are ready when Sprint Planning arrives. If they are not, the team still plans the best it can, uses the Sprint Goal to guide its choices, and clarifies scope with the Product Owner during the Sprint.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. Nothing in particular. Unclear items directly reduce the quality of the forecast and the plan.

C. The Product Owner selects the Sprint Goal so work can begin. The whole Scrum Team defines the Sprint Goal together. Unclear items do not change that.

D. Sprint Planning is cancelled so refinement can be done first. Sprint Planning is not cancelled. The team plans with what it knows and keeps refining during the Sprint.

E. Replace the Scrum Master and restart the Sprint. Blaming one person does not help. The team inspects and improves its refinement practice instead.

Exam Tip

For “what happens if” questions, choose the most direct, realistic consequence. Dramatic options like cancelling events or replacing people are usually wrong.

Key Takeaways

• Clear Product Backlog items make Sprint forecasts more reliable.
• Ongoing refinement prepares items for Sprint Planning.
• Unclear items are clarified during the Sprint, not used as a reason to stop.