Answering: “Which of the following statements about the Product Backlog are true?”

The Product Backlog should be visible to the Scrum Team and stakeholders, and the Product Owner orders it. It does not have to be complete before the first Sprint, use user stories or replace conversations with stakeholders.

Exam Question

Which of the following statements about the Product Backlog are true?
(choose the best two answers)
A. The Product Backlog should be visible to the Scrum Team and stakeholders.
B. All Product Backlog items must be identified before the first Sprint begins.
C. Only the Product Owner can place items on the Product Backlog.
D. The Product Backlog is ordered by the Product Owner.
E. The Product Backlog represents the input of all stakeholders and eliminates any need for the Developers to speak to stakeholders.
F. All Product Backlog items must be expressed as user stories.

Correct Answer

A and D.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide says the Product Owner is accountable for “Ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood” and for ordering Product Backlog items. The Product Owner may delegate some of that work, but remains accountable. Visibility lets stakeholders inspect what is planned and influence it by talking to the Product Owner. Ordering turns the backlog into a clear plan for what comes next. The other statements describe a fixed, document-driven approach. Anyone can suggest items, the backlog keeps emerging, Scrum prescribes no format, and Developers are expected to talk with stakeholders to understand the work.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. All items must be identified before the first Sprint. The Product Backlog is emergent. It grows and changes as the team learns.

C. Only the Product Owner can add items. Anyone can propose items. The Product Owner decides their order and content but does not have to type them all in.

E. The backlog removes the need for Developers to talk to stakeholders. The backlog is a starting point for conversation. Direct collaboration with stakeholders improves understanding.

F. All items must be user stories. User stories are optional. Scrum does not prescribe a format for Product Backlog items.

Exam Tip

Statements with “all,” “only” or “must” about the Product Backlog are usually false. The true ones talk about transparency and ordering.

Key Takeaways

• The Product Backlog is visible to the team and stakeholders.
• The Product Owner is accountable for its order.
• It is emergent and has no required format.