Final answer:
Option B, The sprint backlog is a subset of the product backlog consisting of items selected by the development team to be completed during a sprint.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sprint backlog is a key concept in Agile and Scrum methodologies. To clarify, the sprint backlog is not a separate list created by the development team at their discretion. Instead, it is a subset of the product backlog, which includes items chosen by the development team that they believe they can realistically accomplish during the sprint. Hence, the most accurate explanation to Julie's question would be option B: It's basically the product backlog with items chosen by the development team based on what they can accomplish during the sprint, and not a totally separate list or artifact. This list consists of all the tasks, user stories, or features that the team commits to completing by the end of the sprint, and it's continually updated and refined throughout the sprint.
For example, let's say the product backlog contains 50 items, but the team can realistically complete only 10 items in a two-week sprint. The team would then create a sprint backlog by selecting those 10 items from the product backlog.
The sprint backlog is an essential tool in Agile development as it helps the team track their progress, manage their workload, and stay focused on achieving their sprint goal.