In Agile, what is the goal of maintaining a sprint backlog?

Maintaining a sprint backlog is essential in Agile methodologies, particularly in Scrum. The primary goal is to outline the work planned for the sprint. A sprint backlog serves as a dynamic list that contains tasks selected by the development team from the product backlog that they commit to completing in the current sprint cycle. This compilation not only details the specific items (such as user stories or features) the team aims to work on but also breaks these down into actionable tasks.

This clarity allows the team to focus on a well-defined scope of work, facilitating better planning, collaboration, and communication within the team. By tracking progress against the sprint backlog, the team can assess their velocity and make necessary adjustments to ensure that the sprint goals are met. This emphasis on maintaining a sprint backlog reinforces the iterative and incremental approach of Agile, where continuous improvement and adaptability to changing requirements are paramount.