What is the primary input to the Sprint Planning process?

The primary input to the Sprint Planning process is the Product Backlog. This is a crucial artifact in Scrum as it contains a prioritized list of the work items that are to be completed. During Sprint Planning, the Scrum Team (comprising the Scrum Master, the Product Owner, and the Developers) examines the items in the Product Backlog to determine which ones are most important and feasible to tackle in the upcoming sprint.

The Product Owner plays a vital role in this process by clarifying the items and ensuring they are appropriately prioritized based on stakeholder needs and the overall project vision. Additionally, the team considers how much work they can realistically commit to during the sprint, taking into account their past performance and team capacity, but the starting point for the discussion is always the Product Backlog.

While stakeholder feedback and other reports can inform discussions and decision-making, they do not serve as the foundational input for the Sprint Planning process itself. Instead, it's the clear, prioritized work items in the Product Backlog that guide the team in setting their goals for the sprint.