The Sprint Backlog is composed of:
The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers. It is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint in order to achieve the Sprint Goal.
The Sprint Backlog should be updated by Developers throughout the Sprint as more is learned. It should have enough detail that everyone can inspect their progress in the Daily Scrum.
The Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. Although the Sprint Goal is a commitment by the Developers, it provides flexibility in terms of the exact work needed to achieve it. The Sprint Goal also creates coherence and focus, encouraging the Scrum Team to work together rather than on separate initiatives.
The Sprint Goal is created during the Sprint Planning event and then added to the Sprint Backlog. As the Developers work during the Sprint, they keep the Sprint Goal in mind. If the work turns out to be different than they expected, they collaborate with the Product Owner to negotiate the scope of the Sprint Backlog within the Sprint without affecting the Sprint Goal.
Ensure that the Sprint Goal creates a step toward achieving the Product Goal.
Daily Scrum is a good time to update the Sprint Backlog. This ensures the Sprint Backlog is:
1. Schwaber, K. and Sutherland, J. (2020) The Scrum Guide. The Definitive Guide to Scrum: The Rules of the Game.
2. Hodgson, M. R. & Horrigan, M. B. (2021) Agile Essentials.