Is it true that items for the Sprint Backlog should be completely refined before Sprint Planning, though it's OK to refine during development?

• A. Not sure
• B. Sometimes
• C. True
• D. False

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is readiness of backlog items for planning. In Scrum, refinement is an ongoing activity to make Product Backlog items understood, estimated, and ready for selection. For a Sprint Planning session to yield a reliable plan, the items that will enter the Sprint Backlog should already be completely refined enough to understand and estimate, so the team can forecast how much work fits into the Sprint. Refinement can and should continue during the Sprint as new information emerges, but you don’t want major uncertainties dragging planning or execution. So the statement is true: items for the Sprint Backlog should be completely refined before Sprint Planning, with further refinement possible during development if needed.