Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum FrameworkEasy
A Product Owner is struggling to maintain a clear and ordered Product Backlog. Stakeholders frequently approach the Developers directly with new feature requests, bypassing the Product Owner entirely. This leads to confusion and conflicting priorities within the Scrum Team. Which artifact's integrity is most at risk due to this behavior?
- AThe Sprint Backlog
- BThe Definition of Done
- CThe Increment
- DThe Product Backlog
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The Product Backlog
The Product Backlog is the single source of work to be done by the Scrum Team, and the Product Owner is solely accountable for its content and ordering. Direct stakeholder requests to Developers undermine the integrity of this artifact and the Product Owner's accountability.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The Sprint Backlog contains the selected Product Backlog Items for the current Sprint. While it might be indirectly affected by conflicting priorities, the root issue lies with the Product Backlog.
- B. The Definition of Done ensures quality and completeness. It is not directly related to managing feature requests or priorities.
- C. The Increment is the result of the Sprint, not the source of work or priorities.
Product Backlog as Single Source
The Product Backlog is an ordered list of everything that is known to be needed in the product. It is the single source of requirements for any changes to be made to the product.
- Managed solely by the Product Owner.
- Dynamic, constantly evolving.
- Ensures one clear source of work for the team.
Memory trick: Backlog is the Boss's Book.