I recently concluded my PSM 1 training from Agilemania with Piyush being the instructor. I have had multiple trainings before but this one was very different - Good different. For many reasons : 1. Piyush’s content delivery was by far the best I have seen. This tells he has done this many times or to be short, is an expert at this. 2. Unique way to present. I won’t break the surprise but there were no slides or ppt's during the training. And yet, it was so engaging, I felt as active throughout as at the start. This also gave me inspiration to do something different when it comes to your presentation. 3. Different types of activities in breakout rooms. This gave me the opportunity to interact with fellow trainees like myself who were there to learn. You got to try out those. P.S. - there will be always a catch. 4. Full of real life examples. Piyush gave real life examples from his experience that helped me to understand the concepts better. 5. Lastly, there were optimum breaks in 2 days that helped me to remain focused throughout. When I was choosing the trainer for PSM 1 from Scrum.org, I read a lot of reviews for many trainers. I chose Agilemania after careful evaluation. I was right. Hope this honest review helps others in line.
In the world of Scrum, artifacts serve as essential tools that bring clarity, transparency, and focus to Agile teams. These artifacts provide the necessary framework to ensure that teams stay aligned, track progress, and deliver value incrementally.
Let’s explore the three key Scrum artifacts and their significance.
1. Product Backlog
The Product Backlog is the master list of everything the product needs to deliver value. Managed by the Product Owner, it’s dynamic and evolves as new requirements emerge or priorities shift.
Key Features:
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Contains user stories, features, and fixes.
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Items are prioritized based on value and urgency.
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Enables teams to focus on delivering the highest-value work first.
Example: Think of it as a “to-do list” for the entire product, constantly updated to reflect the changing needs of stakeholders.
2. Sprint Backlog
The Sprint Backlog is a subset of the Product Backlog that the team commits to completing during a Sprint. It’s created during Sprint Planning and represents the work in progress for that iteration.
Key Features:
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Contains tasks broken down from selected Product Backlog items.
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Managed by the Development Team to track and update progress.
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Provides a clear picture of the team’s goals for the Sprint.
Example: It’s like a focused task list for a specific timeframe, ensuring all efforts align with the Sprint Goal.
Read our blog on 'Difference between 'Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog'
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The Increment is the tangible outcome of a Sprint – the working product or feature that meets the Definition of Done. It is a step closer to the overall product goal.
Key Features:
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Must be a functional and usable product component.
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Represents the collective effort of the Scrum Team.
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Presented to stakeholders during the Sprint Review for feedback.
Example: If you’re building a website, an Increment could be a completed homepage or a functional login feature.
Why Are Scrum Artifacts Important?
Scrum artifacts ensure transparency, alignment, and continuous delivery of value. By providing a shared understanding of what’s being built, what’s in progress, and what’s completed, they empower teams to stay organized, responsive, and customer-focused.
