Answering: “Who determines how many Product Backlog items the Developers select for a Sprint?” (PSU I)

The Developers decide how many Product Backlog items to select for the Sprint. Others can discuss and advise, but the Developers judge what they can complete.

Exam Question

Who determines how many Product Backlog items the Developers select for a Sprint?
(choose the best answer)
A. The Scrum Master.
B. The Product Owner.
C. The Developers.
D. The Scrum Team.
E. The stakeholders attending Sprint Planning.

Correct Answer

C. The Developers.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

In Sprint Planning, the Scrum Guide says “through discussion with the Product Owner, the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to include in the current Sprint.” The Developers are the people doing the work, and they understand their capacity, past performance and the Definition of Done. The Product Owner explains which items matter most and helps clarify them. The Scrum Team together agrees the Sprint Goal. But the decision on how much to take on stays with the Developers, so that the forecast is realistic and they can commit to the Sprint Goal.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. The Scrum Master. The Scrum Master facilitates if needed but does not set the amount of work.

B. The Product Owner. The Product Owner orders the items and discusses them, but does not decide how many the Developers can take on.

D. The Scrum Team. The whole team crafts the Sprint Goal, but the Guide gives the selection of work volume to the Developers.

E. Stakeholders attending Sprint Planning. Stakeholders may be invited to advise, but they do not decide the Developers’ workload.

Exam Tip

“How much work” questions point to the Developers. “Which work is most valuable” questions point to the Product Owner.

Key Takeaways

• The Developers decide how much work fits in a Sprint.
• The Product Owner informs selection by explaining value.
• A realistic forecast needs the doers to set it.