Which statement about Sprint Goals is true?

• A. They provide clarity, commitment, and management information
• B. They guarantee on-time delivery
• C. They ensure zero defects
• D. They replace backlog refinement

Answer: (A)

Sprint Goals establish a single, unifying objective for the Sprint that clarifies what the team plans to achieve and why it matters. This clarity helps everyone—team members, the Product Owner, and stakeholders—understand the focus and align their efforts toward a common outcome. The Goal also supports commitment by giving the team a concrete target to coordinate around, making trade-offs and collaboration more effective to reach it within the Sprint. Additionally, it provides management information by offering a concise view of what the team intends to deliver, aiding visibility and oversight.

It doesn’t guarantee on-time delivery because plans can change and unforeseen work can arise, so a Goal isn’t a promise of schedule. It also doesn’t ensure zero defects—quality comes from ongoing engineering practices and the Definition of Done, not from the Goal itself. And it doesn’t replace backlog refinement; refinement continues to ensure the items chosen for the Sprint will actually support achieving the Goal.