According to the Scrum Guide 2020, the Sprint Goal is a short statement that provides direction and focus for the Scrum Team throughout the Sprint1. The Sprint Goal is chosenby the Scrum Team during Sprint Planning, based on the Product Backlog items that they forecast to complete in the Sprint1. The Sprint Goal also gives Developers flexibility and creativity on how to implement functionality during the Sprint, as long as they do not endanger the Sprint Goal1. Therefore, the statements that are true about the Sprint Goal are:
During Sprint Planning, the Scrum Team crafts a Sprint Goal based on an objective that the Product Owner would like to achieve that Sprint. This statement is true because it reflects the purpose and process of creating a Sprint Goal. The Product Owner proposes an objective for the Sprint, based on the current state of the product and the stakeholders’ needs2. The Developers then select the Product Backlog items that support that objective, and craft a Sprint Goal that expresses what value they will deliver in the Sprint2.
Sprint Goals give Developers flexibility and creativity on how to implement functionality during the Sprint. This statement is true because it reflects the benefit and outcome of having a Sprint Goal. The Sprint Goal is not a fixed scope of work, but a flexible goal that guides the Developers’ decisions and actions3. The Developers can modify their Sprint Backlog during the Sprint as needed, as long as they do not endanger the Sprint Goal1. The Sprint Goal also encourages the Developers to work together rather than on separate initiatives3.
The other statements are not true because:
Sprint Goals often change during the Sprint as new insights emerge during the work. This statement is false because it contradicts the Scrum framework, which defines the Sprint Goal as a commitment by the Developers that does not change during a Sprint1. The Sprint Goal provides coherence and alignment for the Scrum Team, and helps them cope with complexity and uncertainty3. Changing the Sprint Goal during a Sprint would undermine its value and impact, and create confusion and waste.
The use of Sprint Goals is optional in the Scrum Framework. This statement is false because it contradicts the Scrum framework, which defines the Sprint Goal as a mandatory element of each Sprint1. The Scrum Guide 2020 states that “the entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint” and “the Developers commit to achieving the Sprint Goal” 1. Without a Sprint Goal, there would be no clear direction or focus for the Scrum Team, and no way to measure their progress or success.
References: 1: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-goal 2: https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#sprint-planning 3: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/sprint-goal-key-element-scrum
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