Scrum

Product Management

Anonymous

In the scrum framework how do we treat the incomplete work from the sprint backlog if the sprint is finished and of the work in the sprint backlog was not completed?

Posted: Jan 18, 2024 12:59 PM

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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada

It depends. If a work item was completed in such a manner that a portion of it represents value to a stakeholder (e.g. a vertical slice of a larger work item) and would be considered "done" had it been a standalone work item, then you could split the original work item into two new (smaller) work items - one which is complete and one which goes back onto the product backlog for prioritization by the PO.

Otherwise, work items in progress and those not started go back onto the product backlog and are re-prioritized by the PO.

In most cases, a partially completed work item likely would still be at a high priority and be part of the sprint backlog in the next sprint, but that shouldn't be a default action, rather that should be the result of the PO re-prioritizing the product backlog.

Kiron

Posted: Jan 18, 2024 3:37 PM

Rami Kaibni

Community Champion

Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

I totally agree with Kiron's input. This happens very often and this is one reason why there is continious Product Backlog refinement!

Posted: Jan 18, 2024 7:18 PM (Updated by author: Jan 18, 2024 7:19 PM)

Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz RYLAI Access Control Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

If the sprint is finished, the incomplete work of this sprint should be moved to the product backlog. Once the work to do is reunited in the backlog, the product owner is the one who will decide which parts of the backlog will be transferred to the next sprints; this operation is done in conjunction with the scrum team, to prioritize items, adding/deleting tasks, estimating efforts, etc. These activities facilitate an adequate product backlog refinement and future sprint planning.

Posted: Oct 8, 2025 10:33 AM

FAIZA KHALIL MIS,Policy & Project Coordinator| SAMBA BANK Karachi, Sd, Pakistan

Incomplete work from a Sprint Backlog is reviewed at the Sprint Review, returned to the Product Backlog, and reprioritized for future sprints based on importance.

Posted: Oct 23, 2025 7:07 AM

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