Contradiction found in SG
Hello all,
Need help finding out who can change the sprint backlog during a sprint. In the paragraph "Spring Goal" is states, "if work turns out to be different than the Dev Team expected, they collaborate with the PO to negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint"
But in the paragraph "Sprint Backlog" is states, "only the development Team can change its Sprint Backlog during a spring....it belongs solely to the Dev Team"
I'm missing something, I'm sure. Am I to assume it is optional for the Dev Team to negotiate with the PO?
Thanks in Advance.
Luke
they collaborate with the PO to negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint
That doesn't say that the Development Team lets the Product Owner change the Sprint Backlog. It says that they discuss changes with the Product Owner so that the Product Owner can aid in focussing the Development Team on the right work to be done. This would be similar to the activity that is undertaken during Sprint Planning and has occurred due to new found information.
The Sprint Backlog is owned solely by the Development Team and only they can change it's contents.
Got it, thanks for the clarification.
You're not considering the context of these 2 statements. When it comes to the Sprint Goal, that is crafted by the full scrum team so if it something comes up and it's different than expected for whatever reason; the dev team should call up the PO and collaborate together. They should get on the same page and IF any changes need to happen, they can adjust the sprint backlog as necessary. The reason this is a collaboration with the PO is because if this happens it is clear that there is some confusion so the best thing to do is get on the same page. The PO is NOT directing the dev team in changing the sprint backlog, the PO is instead clarifying and discussing the sprint goal and work that rolls up to that together.
The section about the Sprint Backlog is speaking to the fact that only the Dev team can change the sprint backlog. That means if they feel they have extra work that needs to be taken off, they decide that. If they want to bring in new work, they decide that; no one else.
A man drives his wife into town to pick up groceries and other essential items. She wants to buy all the stuff they'll need to get through 2 weeks of Coronavirus lock-down. He thinks he should buy paint for his boat.
He is the one behind the wheel. He is responsible for the journey and he wholly owns it. It's up to him where the vehicle goes, to which stores, and where and when it stops.
In effect, he owns the shopping trip. He'd be a fool though not to consult with his wife if he tried to change it.
Now that is the best analogy I've heard about relating to this. Well said Ian.