Who should not create estimates for the team backlog?

• A. Only the team should estimate.
• B. Stakeholders outside the team.
• C. Managers, Architects, and a Select Group.
• D. Product Owner and Scrum Master.

Answer: (C)

Estimating the work belongs to the team that will do it. They have the closest understanding of scope, complexity, risks, and their own velocity, which is essential for reliable planning. When people outside the team—such as managers, system architects, or an external select group—create the estimates, the numbers can be influenced by political pressure, risk aversion, or architectural preferences rather than the actual effort required. That distorts forecasts and erodes the team’s ownership of the plan. In SAFe, the Product Owner and Scrum Master facilitate estimation and ensure clarity, but the sizing itself comes from the delivery team. Stakeholders can provide input on value, priorities, and constraints, but they do not determine the estimates.