What distinguishes a Sprint Backlog from a Product Backlog?

The distinction between a Sprint Backlog and a Product Backlog is fundamentally based on the time frame and focus of the items they contain. The Sprint Backlog specifically consists of items that have been selected from the Product Backlog to be completed during a particular Sprint. This means it represents a subset of the overall work planned for the project, tailored to the goals and capacity of the team for that iteration.

In contrast, the Product Backlog is a comprehensive list of all requirements and enhancements that are desired for the overall product, prioritized by the product owner. Items in the Product Backlog reflect the long-term vision of the project and are not confined to the immediate tasks at hand. Each Sprint, one or more items from this larger list are moved into the Sprint Backlog based on priority and team capacity.

Understanding this distinction is key in Agile methodologies, as it helps ensure that teams focus on delivering incremental value by working on specific items at a time while keeping an eye on the broader goals encapsulated in the Product Backlog.