When is the Sprint Backlog created?

The Sprint Backlog is created during the Sprint Planning meeting, which is one of the key events in the Scrum framework. The Sprint Planning meeting occurs at the beginning of each Sprint and involves the entire Scrum Team, including the Product Owner, the Development Team, and the Scrum Master.

The creation of the Sprint Backlog is a key agenda item during the Sprint Planning meeting. It involves several essential steps:

• Reviewing the Product Backlog: The Product Owner presents the prioritized Product Backlog, which contains all the items (user stories, features, bug fixes, etc.) that could potentially be worked on by the Development Team. These items are usually ordered based on their value and dependencies.
• Selecting Sprint Goal and Items: The Scrum Team collaboratively discusses the Sprint Goal, which is a short statement defining the purpose and objective of the Sprint. Based on this goal and the capacity of the Development Team, a subset of items is selected from the Product Backlog to form the Sprint Backlog.
• Breaking Down and Estimating Tasks: The selected items from the Product Backlog are broken down into smaller, actionable tasks that the Development Team can complete during the Sprint. Tasks are estimated for effort, often using techniques like story points or hours, to provide visibility into the work involved.
• Creating the Sprint Backlog: The tasks, along with their estimates and dependencies, are documented in the Sprint Backlog. This backlog is a dynamic, evolving document that captures the collective understanding of the work to be done during the Sprint.
• Committing to the Sprint Backlog: Once the Sprint Backlog is finalized, the Development Team commits to completing the selected tasks within the Sprint timeframe. This commitment is crucial for fostering accountability and transparency within the team.

With the Sprint Backlog created and commitments made, the Sprint officially begins. Throughout the Sprint, the Scrum Team uses the Sprint Backlog as a guiding tool. They track progress, update task statuses, address impediments, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the Sprint Goal is achieved.

The Sprint Backlog is not a static document but rather a living artifact that reflects the team's evolving understanding and adaptability. As new information emerges or circumstances change, the team collaborates to update the Sprint Backlog accordingly, maintaining alignment with the Sprint Goal and delivering incremental value with each Sprint iteration.