Understanding Sprint Backlog Fundamentals and How to Build One

An integral element of sprint planning is the sprint backlog. This includes a set of user stories and related tasks a Scrum team needs to finish in the current sprint, how they will be implemented, and how much work is needed. Learn more about sprint backlog and how to create it to efficiently allocate tasks throughout your sprint.

By
Visual PMP Academy
,
on
March 21, 2024

A team can stay focused throughout Scrum sprints—the time allocated to do work—by maintaining a sprint backlog. 

During scrum sprints, you can decide which tasks to prioritize. Sprint planning determines which tasks are a high priority for the scrum sprint.  In order to avoid scope creep, the team works from a task list during the sprint.

An integral element of sprint planning is the sprint backlog.  Learn the concept of a sprint backlog and learn how to create it to efficiently allocate tasks throughout your sprints.

What is Sprint Backlog?

The Sprint Backlog includes a set of user stories and related tasks a Scrum team needs to finish in the current sprint, together with information about how they will be implemented and how much work will be needed to build them.  You run the risk of working on things that aren't related to your customers or the product plan if your backlog isn't kept up to date.

Product Backlog vs. Sprint Backlog 

Product Backlog

Using the product backlog and the current workload, the team decides he team decides which activities are doable in the allotted sprint time.  A task enters the sprint backlog if it is determined to be attainable.  It is then divided into smaller jobs and completed over several sprints if it is too big.  In the product backlog the agile team is enhanced by working in shorter, timed sprints.  Here, every user story has a set of assigned story points and all of the product features.  The product backlog is owned by the product owner.   The total product is included in the product backlog.

Sprint Backlog

In other words, the sprint backlog is the list of all the tasks that have been pulled from the Product Backlog and need to be accomplished in order for the Sprint to be completed.  It also contains a strategy for converting the chosen items into increments.  It serves as each Sprint's to-do list.  The user stories are divided into separate tasks by the developer so that the task's anticipated completion date may be determined. The sprint backlog is owned and managed by the development team.   The portion of the product backlog that is included in the sprint is known as the sprint backlog's range.

How to Build a Sprint Backlog

The project team requires a clearly defined backlog to make sure they stay on track with their tasks because a sprint has an established duration.  Work can and will be finished within that time frame if there is a robust sprint backlog.

Here's how to build a strong sprint backlog:

1. Establish your sprint goals.

Well-defined team goals are essential for maintaining team focus and productivity, and they should be included in sprint backlogs.  Make sure your objectives can be accomplished in the sprint's allotted time and are specific.

2. Talk about the backlog with your group.

The sprint backlog can benefit from the diverse viewpoints and contributions of the team members.  Joint ownership is created when all team members participate in the planning phase and specify how tasks should be completed during the sprint.

3. Prioritize and structure your tasks.

Setting priorities and organizing your workload will enable your team to concentrate on the things that matter most. User stories are the first step in prioritizing and organizing the backlog of work.  The group can determine high-priority tasks from these stories.  After this is finished, you can arrange the remaining tasks in the user story according to priority. Subtasks can be created once the team has prioritized the tasks.

4. Build a backlog for a sprint. 

The items in the sprint backlog are:

  • The prioritized list of user stories for the sprint.
  • The comparative estimate of work for every user story.
  • The tasks required to create each user narrative.
  • The time invested in hours to finish each task, if necessary.

5. Consistently update the backlog.

Tasks and estimations should be updated every day. Making decisions is impossible and there is a considerably lower chance of meeting the sprint objective when you don't know where your team stands.

Conclusion

Just as crucial to the success of your team as managing a product backlog is managing your sprint backlog. Both of these prevent your staff from working on projects unrelated to your customers or your product.

The work done by your team prior to, during, and following a sprint can be organized with the use of sprint backlogs.  They help manage expectations and provide precise forecasts for upcoming sprints if you apply them skillfully.

Want to build a successful career in Project Management, Agile and Scrum? Or you need free templates, ITTO Games, or Electronic Books?

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