Sprint Backlog

What is sprint backlog?

The Sprint Backlog is a list of tasks that the Scrum team committed to doing by the end of the sprint. These items are picked from the Product Backlog by the team during the Sprint Planning Meeting based on the priorities set by the Product Owner and the team’s vision of time it will take to finish the various features. The Sprint Backlog is a detailed plan with complete information that helps to understand the changes in development clearly in the Daily Scrum. Throughout the sprint, the Sprint Backlog is modified only by the development team. They plan to finish the Sprint Backlog tasks during the Sprint, and so it belongs completely to the development team.


The above figure shows how the requirements are prioritized to Sprint Backlog.

Why is Sprint Backlog essential?

It is a popular practice in Scrum which provides a noticeable portrayal of the status of the User Stories constantly in the backlog and is represented on a task board or Scrum board. The Sprint Backlog makes the teamwork visible which the team identifies as important to accomplish the Sprint Goal. To follow the continuous improvement, it adds a minimum of one high-priority process improvement discovered in the last Retrospective meeting.

Though the tasks that are missing from the committed user stories can be added to the Sprint Backlog, it is necessary to ensure that new user stories are not added once the Sprint Backlog is committed and finalized by the Scrum team. If any new requirement emerges during a Sprint, they should be included in the overall Prioritized Product Backlog and added in a future Sprint.

How Does a Sprint Backlog Work?

Below are the key points on how a Sprint Backlog works:

1. Created during Sprint Planning
2. Break down Product Backlog items into tasks
3. Estimate the effort required to complete tasks
4. Team members select tasks to work on
5. Track progress using a Burndown Chart
6. Update the Sprint Backlog as work is completed
7. Review the Sprint Backlog during Sprint Review
8. Sprint Backlog is a commitment to complete the work selected during Sprint Planning

What are the characteristics of the Sprint Backlog?

• The Sprint Backlog has a dynamic nature because each Sprint has repeated changes to reach the goal. A good practice keeps the Sprint backlog to reach the goal as stable as possible during Sprint.
• During the Sprint planning sessions, the team members go back to picking the prioritized specifications from the product backlog for the Sprint cycle.
• The Sprint Backlog is an outcome of the Sprint planning meeting sessions.
• The Sprint Backlog makes easy in identifying the work to the development team as ‘necessary’ to meet the Sprint goal.
• Here in this session, the Scrum team effectively works on preparing how the user stories would be implemented in the sprint by dividing those into further sub-tasks and estimation of it.
• The Development team owns the Sprint Backlog.
• For each Sprint, the team members create a planning document based on the requirements and market value priority in the product backlog before starting the sprint.

Who all are responsible for creating the Sprint Backlog?

The development team creates the Sprint Backlog which is nothing but a plan in terms of how the team is going to achieve the Sprint Goal.

When do we create a Sprint Backlog?

The Development Team creates the Sprint Backlog during Sprint Planning. Team members are supposed to update the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint as new information will be available.

The Components of Sprint Backlog

Sprint Backlog in Agile is a Scrum artifact that outlines the work for the development team to complete during a sprint

Sprint backlog consists of below key components:

1. Sprint goal
2. Product backlog items
3. Task list
4. Effort estimates
5. Definition of done
6. Burndown chart
7. Daily scrum meetings

How to Create a Sprint Backlog [Step-by-Step]?

Below is the step-by-step guide to creating a sprint backlog:

1. Review the product backlog: The sprint backlog is a subset of the product backlog, so start by reviewing the product backlog to identify the most important and high-priority items.

2. Define the sprint goal: Based on the high-priority items, define the sprint goal. The sprint goal is a concise statement that outlines what the team intends to achieve during the sprint.

3. Select items for the sprint backlog: With the sprint goal in mind, select items from the product backlog that can be completed within the sprint timeframe.

4. Break down items into tasks: Once items are selected, break them into smaller, more manageable tasks. These tasks should be specific, actionable, and time-bound.

5. Estimate effort: Estimate the effort required for each task in terms of time or relative complexity.

6. Assign tasks: Assign tasks to team members based on their skill set and availability.

7. Prioritize tasks: Prioritize tasks based on their importance and dependency on other tasks.

8. Create a visual representation: Create a visual representation of the sprint backlog, such as a Kanban board, to make it easy to track progress and visualize tasks.

9. Review and adjust: Regularly review and adjust the sprint backlog throughout the sprint as new information emerges or priorities shift.

By following these steps, you can create a sprint backlog that is well-defined, achievable, and aligned with the sprint goal.

Tips to create a high-quality Sprint Backlog

• Ensure that each team member is involved in the process
• Identify all kind of tasks
• Have a definition of Done
• Discuss how to implement every item
• Don’t assign tasks in advance
• Assess the sprint commitment
• Develop the Sprint Backlog during the sprint
• Don’t spend too much time

Verification of Sprint Backlog

Analyze the following general statements before finalizing the Sprint Backlog and make the changes as required.

• Check for impediments
  Can the stories in the Sprint Backlog be finished within the sprint?
  If so, adjust as needed and resolve them.
• Definition of Done
  Are we able to deliver the product at the end of this sprint?
  Make sure that you are including everything from the respective team’s definition of Done.
• Backlog items missed
  Have we missed any work that needs to be done, but not included in the Sprint Backlog, including release planning activities, any items or any other activity that needs to be done in this sprint?
  If that is the case, add them to the Sprint Backlog, estimate them and adjust the backlog as required to finish within the time agreed by the team.
• Commitment
  Can we commit to our sprint plan? Can we explain how we plan to deliver the sprint?
  If yes, then go along with the plan and work accordingly.
• Taskboard setup
  Is our sprint plan depicted in the Agile tool or on the task board completely? Are we set to begin our sprint tracking?
• Risks
  Are there any risks that we need to be acquainted with during the sprint?
  If yes, fix these things in the sprint plan.

How to manage the Sprint Backlog?

• Every team member should pick the work of their own choice- it is never assigned
• Remaining estimated work should be updated daily
• Any individual can add, change or delete the Sprint Backlog Item whenever required
• If the work is confusing, set a larger amount of time to the Sprint Backlog Item and break it down later

How to Use the Sprint Backlog in the Daily Stand-Up?

Below is the brief guide on how to use scrum sprint backlog in daily stand-up

Using the Sprint Backlog in Stand-Up:

1. Review tasks and progress
2. Identify blockers and challenges
3. Update status and priorities
4. Align team on goals

Managing the Sprint Backlog:

1. Assign task ownership
2. Continuously prioritize tasks
3. Track progress and update regularly
4. Align with product backlog goals
5. Keep backlog actionable, relevant, and up-to-date

Sprint Backlog Management:

1. Scrum Master facilitates the creation and management
2. Development Team selects tasks and breaks them down into smaller tasks
3. The Product Owner ensures alignment with the product backlog and project goals

Product Backlog vs Sprint Backlog

Here's a quick comparison table between the two: 

Sprint Backlog Template

Here is an example of a Sprint Backlog template in a table form:

Download Sprint Backlog template.xls