Which is the best practice for starting the next Sprint after the previous Sprint ends?

• A. Delaying the start of the next Sprint is recommended to respond to feedback faster.
• B. Shortening the Sprint length is the recommended response to changes outside of the Sprint plan.
• C. A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.
• D. The Product Backlog should be ignored during Sprint start planning.

Answer: (C)

Starting a new Sprint immediately after the previous one ends maintains a steady, repeatable cadence and supports a continuous inspect-and-adapt cycle. In Scrum, each Sprint is a fixed timebox, and the next Sprint begins with Sprint Planning after the prior Sprint concludes, so the team can select the next set of work from the Product Backlog and pursue the Sprint Goal. Delaying the start creates idle time, disrupts rhythm, and slows delivery even if feedback was just received. Shortening the Sprint length in response to external changes breaks cadence and is not the standard way to adapt; changes should be reflected in the Product Backlog and planned into the next Sprint. Ignoring the Product Backlog during Sprint planning undermines the basis for selecting work and goals for the upcoming iteration.