Answering: “What may be included in the Sprint Backlog?” (PSPO II)

The Sprint Backlog can hold user stories, tests, tasks and any other items that break down the selected Product Backlog items. Scrum does not prescribe a format, so the content reflects whatever the Developers need for their plan.

Exam Question

What may be included in the Sprint Backlog?
(choose all that apply)
A. User Stories.
B. Tests.
C. Tasks.
D. Any additional items which are a decomposition of the selected Product backlog items.
E. Use Cases.

Correct Answer

A, B, C and D.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide describes the Sprint Backlog as the Sprint Goal, the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint and “an actionable plan for delivering the Increment.” It calls it “a plan by and for the Developers.” The selected items can be written as user stories or in any other format the team uses. The plan part can contain tasks, tests or any other decomposition that helps the Developers reach the Sprint Goal and meet the Definition of Done. Because Scrum does not mandate techniques, the right content is whatever makes the work transparent to the Developers and lets them inspect progress at the Daily Scrum.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

E. Use Cases. Use cases are detailed requirement documents. They can inform a Product Backlog item, but they are not part of the Developers’ plan for the Sprint the way tasks, tests and other decomposition are.

Exam Tip

Scrum does not prescribe practices, so when asked what an artifact may contain, the broadest options that fit its purpose are usually correct.

Key Takeaways

• The Sprint Backlog includes selected items and the plan to deliver them.
• Tasks, tests and other decomposition belong in the plan.
• Scrum does not prescribe the format of backlog items.