Size of a “Ready” Product Backlog Item
Determining the appropriate size for a “ready” Product Backlog item is essential for effective Sprint Planning and ensuring smooth workflow within the Scrum Team. This article explores how small a “ready” Product Backlog item should be.
Exam Question
How small should a “ready” Product Backlog item be?
(choose the best answer)
A. Small enough to build in 1 Sprint.
B. No longer than one day.
C. Small enough for a single team member to complete in a Sprint.
D. No bigger than 8 story points.
E. It should fit on a small index card.
Correct Answer
A. Small enough to build in 1 Sprint.
Explanation
Correct Answer
A. Small enough to build in 1 Sprint:
A “ready” Product Backlog item should be small enough to be completed within a single Sprint. This ensures that the team can deliver a potentially shippable product increment at the end of each Sprint. The focus is on delivering valuable increments in a consistent and predictable manner.
Incorrect Answers
B. No longer than one day:
While some Product Backlog items might be small enough to be completed in a day, this is not a universal rule. The key is that the item can be completed within the Sprint, regardless of whether it takes a few days or the entire Sprint.
C. Small enough for a single team member to complete in a Sprint:
Scrum emphasizes team collaboration rather than assigning tasks to individual team members. Product Backlog items should be sized for the team to work on collectively, not necessarily for a single individual.
D. No bigger than 8 story points:
Story points are a relative measure of effort and complexity, and the number can vary widely between teams. The key is not the specific number of story points but whether the item can be completed within the Sprint.
E. It should fit on a small index card:
This is an arbitrary measure and not necessarily indicative of whether a Product Backlog item is “ready.” The focus should be on whether the item is small enough to be completed within the Sprint, not its physical representation.
Responsibilities in Scrum
- Product Owner: Ensures that Product Backlog items are well-defined and “ready” for the team to work on during the Sprint. This includes breaking down larger items into smaller, manageable pieces that can be completed within a Sprint.
- Scrum Master: Facilitates the process of refining and sizing Product Backlog items, ensuring that the team understands what is required to complete them within a Sprint.
- Developers: Collaborate with the Product Owner to refine Product Backlog items and provide input on whether the items are small enough to be completed within the Sprint.
Relevance to the PSPO II Exam
Understanding the appropriate size for a “ready” Product Backlog item is crucial for the PSPO II exam. It demonstrates knowledge of effective backlog management and Sprint Planning, which are essential for successful Scrum implementation.
Key Takeaways
- A “ready” Product Backlog item should be small enough to be completed within a single Sprint.
- The focus is on delivering potentially shippable product increments at the end of each Sprint.
- Collaboration between the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers is essential to ensure items are well-defined and appropriately sized.
Conclusion
A “ready” Product Backlog item should be sized to ensure it can be completed within a single Sprint, enabling the Scrum Team to deliver valuable increments consistently. For more information on preparing for the PSPO II exam, visit our PSPO II Exam Prep.
