Atlassian Agile Project Management Professional Certification Practice Exam

Can the Product Owner add a new story to a Sprint that the Team is currently in?

1. Yes, but only under special circumstances

2. No, this is not allowed at all

3. Yes, at any time during the Sprint

4. Only if the Scrum Master approves

The correct answer is: No, this is not allowed at all

The correct understanding is that the Product Owner cannot add new stories to a Sprint that the team is currently working on. This constraint is rooted in the principles of the Scrum framework, which emphasizes that once a Sprint has begun, the scope should remain stable to allow the development team to focus on delivering the committed work. This stability is vital for establishing a predictable rhythm, enabling the team to assess their progress against the defined Sprint Goals. In Scrum, the time box of a Sprint is intended to encourage the team to concentrate on completing the prioritised backlog items. Introducing new stories during the Sprint can disrupt the team’s flow and impede their ability to meet the commitments they previously made. It creates uncertainty and can lead to a dilution of focus, which can negatively impact the quality and timely delivery of the work. While the Product Owner is responsible for prioritizing the backlog and ensuring the most valuable work is being completed, they should introduce changes to the product backlog during Sprint Planning or in preparation for the next Sprint rather than during an active Sprint. This ensures that the team can manage their workload effectively and deliver consistent results. This approach contrasts with the idea that adding new items could be acceptable under certain conditions or with approvals from the Scrum Master, further emphasizing the importance of maintaining