Who is allowed to change the Sprint Backlog during a Sprint?

The Sprint Backlog is primarily owned by the Development Team. They have the authority to make changes to it as necessary throughout the Sprint. This flexibility is essential because it allows the Development Team to adapt to new information or challenges that arise during their work. For instance, if they uncover new insights about the tasks or need to adjust priorities based on their progress, they can modify the Sprint Backlog accordingly to reflect this reality.

While the Scrum Master and Product Owner play significant roles in supporting the team and ensuring the process aligns with Scrum principles, they do not have the authority to change the Sprint Backlog. The Scrum Master's focus is on facilitating the process and removing impediments, while the Product Owner manages the Product Backlog and ensures the right items are prioritized to maximize value for stakeholders. All team members contribute to the decisions around the work performed, but it is ultimately the Development Team that manages the Sprint Backlog, underlining their ownership and accountability for the work executed during a Sprint.