Can Acceptance Criteria Change During Sprint?

The team produce a sprint backlog, sprint goal and start working. No-one can change the core requirement the team is working on; not even the team. Only the PO has the right to terminate work if he/she sees no value in continuing with it.

What can change during the sprint?

The myth is that the Sprint Backlog is fixed during the Sprint. The Development Team commits itself to implement all the items on the Sprint Backlog. Changes are not allowed during the Sprint; no work can be added or removed. This offers the team the necessary focus to fulfil their given commitment.

Can you make changes during a sprint?

In Scrum, all requirements related to an ongoing Sprint are frozen during the Sprint. No change is introduced until the Sprint ends, unless a change is deemed to be significant enough to stop the Sprint. In the case of an urgent change, the Sprint is terminated and the team meets to plan a new Sprint.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.