Thursday, December 05, 2024

ManagementYogi's Scaled Agile (CIPSA) Certification: Differences – Product Backlog, CIPSA Sprint Backlog and Team Sprint Backlog


Recently, I wrote an article demonstrating Product Backlog, CIPSA Sprint Backlog and Team Sprint Backlog. I also listed out a few differences. In this article, we learn more on these differences for projects using Scrum at Scale and the CIPSA Framework.

I’d strongly recommend that you read the article first here. Alternative link is here.

Now more differences between these backlogs. There can be other differences and by no means these are exhaustive. 

Difference – 1: Creation

The Product Backlog is a single one and stands on its own. The CIPSA Sprint Backlog is prepared from the Product Backlog. The Team Sprint Backlog is prepared from the CIPSA Sprint Backlog.

Difference – 2: Content

The Product Backlog will have the product backlog items. Some of the product backlog items – the high-order ones – will be part of the CIPSA Sprint Backlog. The Team Sprint Backlog will have mostly the tasks which will be executed in the upcoming Sprint.

Difference – 3: Goals

The Product Backlog will have the Product Goal, whereas the CIPS Sprint Backlog will have a CIPSA Sprint Goal. Finally, the Team Sprint Backlog will have the Team Sprint Goal.

Alignment: Related to the goals, we have alignment. The Team Sprint Goal is in alignment with the CIPSA Sprint Goal, whereas the CIPSA Sprint Goal is in alignment with the Product Goal. 


Difference – 4: Dependencies

We don’t note usually note the dependencies in the Product Backlog because is dynamically changing. The inter-team dependencies are usually noted in the CIPSA Sprint Backlog, but the intra-team dependencies will be part of the Team Sprint Backlog.  

Difference – 5: Events and Meta-Events

The Product Backlog doesn’t contain any meta-events. The CIPSA Sprint Backlog will contain meta-events such as CIPSA Sprint Planning, CIPSA Daily Scrums, among others. The Team Sprint Backlog contains team-level Scrum events such as Team Sprint Planning, Team Sprint Retrospectives, among others.

Difference – 6: Ownership

The Product Backlog is owned by the Chief Product Owner (CPO). The CIPSA Sprint Backlog is owned by the entire CIPSA Scrum Team. On the other hand, the Team Sprint Backlogs are owned by the individual Scrum Teams’ Product Owners

Difference – 7: Increments 

The CIPSA Integrated Increment comes from the CIPSA Sprint backlog. The individual Team Increments come from the Team Sprint Backlogs. With every integrated increment, we move closer to the Product Goal, which is part of the Product Backlog.

Difference – 8: Lifecycles

Product Backlog is a live document and continuously updated. The CIPSA Sprint Backlog will be for a Sprint and when the Sprint is over, it’s discarded. The Team Sprint Backlog will for a Sprint and when the Sprint is over, it’s discarded.

Difference – 9: Refinement

The Product Backlog is cross-team refined. The CIPSA Sprint Backlog is not cross-team refined. It’s final! Similarly, the Team Sprint Backlog is also not refined. However, there are possibilities of scope changes during the Sprint for both the CIPSA Sprint Backlog and Team Sprint Backlogs. 

Difference – 10: Super- or Sub-sets

The sum of the CIPSA Backlog (considering multiple Sprints) will be a subset of the Product Backlog. The sum of Individual Team Sprint Backlogs will constitute a subset CIPSA Sprint Backlog.

In other words, you can say that the Product Backlog is the super-set, but without the tasks, events, meta-events and other line items. 

The Team Sprint Backlog is the subset of CIPSA Sprint Backlog, but with additional line items. The CIPSA Sprint Backlog is the subset of the Product Backlog with its own line items.

Conclusion

The CIPSA Scrum Framework uses the underlying CIPSA Framework. It’s world’s only Practical Scaled Agile Framework. 

Instead of focusing on theory, theory and more theory, with the CIPSA Certification, you learn how to actually build these backlogs, find out the dependencies, load the resources, solve the overallocations, create a variety of charts or reports, among many others. 

As always, the best time to learn and get certified is now! 


References

[1] *NEW* Certification Course: Certified In Practical Scaled Agile (CIPSA)

[2] New Practical Scaled Agile Framework – The CIPSA Framework Guide

[3] Understanding the CIPSA Scrum Framework – Practical, Hands-on Scrum at Scale

[4] The CIPSA Framework Clock - A Unique Way

[5] Scrum at Scale: Product Backlog, CIPSA Sprint Backlog and Team Sprint Backlog with MS Project Agile



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