Can the PO invite stakeholders to PB refinement sessions?
Can the PO invite stakeholders to PB refinement sessions?
@Katharina Kluge, I don't see any reason why they can't. The purpose of the backlog refinement is to help the PBI's get an order, estimate and detail and if the stakeholders can help with this process, then that's good in my opinion. Also, they would be involved much earlier in the decision making and they may feel more closer to the work.
Does that help answer your question?
Indeed, I can see a lot of benifit, if the stakeholders can contribute. For the SM (and team) they need to make sure stakeholders are not interfering
I don't see anything that would prohibit inviting external stakeholders, but I would have questions.
I would want to understand why. The Product Owner should be able to understand all of the Product Backlog Items, since the Product Owner is responsible for "ensuring the Development Team understands items in the Product Backlog to the level needed." If they are being invited because the Product Owner has insufficient knowledge to handle refinement, it seems like it's setting up for problems if questions arise during the course of the Sprint.
If all of the stakeholders can't be present, there may be pressure to give deference to the stakeholders who are present, even if their needs aren't as important in the broader scheme of the product. This may add some coordination overhead to planning refinement beyond what the team currently does.
Finally, it places burden on the team (perhaps the Scrum Master) to make sure that the stakeholder understands the purpose of the refinement and doesn't interfere with the team's process.
I'm not sure I'd recommend outside stakeholders in many cases, but I can see cases where it would be interesting to think about and talk about with the team.
There is absolutely nothing in Scrum that says how refinement is done.
Product Backlog refinement is the act of adding detail, estimates, and order to items in the Product Backlog. This is an ongoing process in which the Product Owner and the Development Team collaborate on the details of Product Backlog items. During Product Backlog refinement, items are reviewed and revised. The Scrum Team decides how and when refinement is done. Refinement usually consumes no more than 10% of the capacity of the Development Team. However, Product Backlog items can be updated at any time by the Product Owner or at the Product Owner’s discretion.
The Sprint Review is an event which involves the Scrum Team and stakeholders, and according to the Scrum Guide…
The result of the Sprint Review is a revised Product Backlog that defines the probable Product Backlog items for the next Sprint. The Product Backlog may also be adjusted overall to meet new opportunities.
So it could be argued that at least some Product Backlog refinement is expected to take place with stakeholders.
got it ;-)
Thank you so much!
I fully agree with it but one of my well known friend who is also the product owner doesn't invite stakeholders. As he says he prefers to separate the Scrum Team and stakeholders as he is the bridge between them
Can the PO invite stakeholders to PB refinement sessions?
It's possible, if there's a good reason why team members shouldn't go out and find them.