Is the Sprint Goal finalized before Sprint Planning starts?

The Sprint Goal is indeed created during Sprint Planning, which is a fundamental aspect of the Scrum framework. This goal provides a shared objective for the Sprint and guides the Development Team in determining which items from the Product Backlog they will work on.

Before Sprint Planning begins, there may be some initial ideas and discussions about potential goals, but these are not finalized. The actual establishment of the Sprint Goal occurs collaboratively during Sprint Planning, where the Scrum Team assesses the highest priority items and discusses their collective understanding of what the Sprint should achieve. This partnership among the team members ensures that everyone has a clear and shared vision for the output of the Sprint, which is critical for maintaining focus and alignment.

The Sprint Goal is established based on the most relevant items from the Product Backlog and should reflect the current priorities set by the Product Owner, but finalizing it happens as part of the planning process itself, rather than before it begins. This collaborative effort allows for adjustments based on team capacity, insights gained from discussions, and any new information relevant to the goals of the Sprint.