Which role has the authority to delegate work related to the Product Backlog?

The Product Owner has the authority to delegate work related to the Product Backlog because this role is responsible for managing the Product Backlog itself. This includes the creation, prioritization, and refinement of backlog items to ensure that they align with the project's goals and deliver value to stakeholders.

By owning the Product Backlog, the Product Owner can assign tasks to the Development Team. They do this by clearly articulating the vision, goals, and priorities, which guides the Development Team in implementing the most important features and tasks. While the Development Team may take the initiative to self-organize and determine how to accomplish their work, the direction and priorities set by the Product Owner establish what needs to be worked on.

The other roles, such as the Scrum Master and stakeholders, have specific responsibilities that support the Scrum process but do not have direct authority over the delegation of work within the Product Backlog. The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum process, and stakeholders provide input and feedback, but it is ultimately up to the Product Owner to determine how work is defined and prioritized within the Product Backlog.