When is new work or decomposition of work added to the Sprint backlog?

New work or decomposition of work is added to the Sprint backlog as soon as possible after it has been identified. This approach aligns with the Agile principles that encourage adaptive planning and responsiveness to change. The Sprint backlog is a living artifact that evolves throughout the Sprint, so it is important for the Development Team to include any new insights or modifications regarding their work immediately when they become apparent.

This practice promotes transparency and helps the team remain focused and aligned on their goals, allowing them to react to emerging requirements or issues without waiting for formal retrospectives or review meetings. It reflects the notion that the team is empowered to make decisions collaboratively and adjust their work process dynamically to optimize productivity and deliver value effectively.

Adding work or changes to the Sprint backlog at the end of the Sprint, during the Sprint Review, or starting the next Sprint would limit the team’s ability to respond to changing needs throughout the current Sprint and undermine the iterative nature of Scrum. Instead, immediate incorporation of new work ensures that the team can continuously adapt and improve their output within the current cycle.