In Scrum, one question often comes up: Can teams take partial credit for backlog items that are almost finished, but not done by the sprint review? For example, if a user story is estimated at 8 points and the team completes 80–90% of it, they may feel they deserve 5 or 6 points. At first, this sounds fair. But in reality, Scrum doesn’t work that way. In Scrum, work is either Done or Not Done. There is no in-between.
Why Partial Credit Is a Bad Idea?
Let’s use an example. Imagine I invite you for dinner and serve half-cooked chicken. It might look fine, but eating it is a bad idea, you will regret it later. The same goes for half-finished backlog items. They don’t deliver real value to customers, even if they’re “almost done.” Here are the main problems with giving partial credit:
Inflated velocity – The team’s velocity looks higher than it really is, which misleads stakeholders.
Overestimating progress – Developers often think they’re 90% done, but the last 10% usually turns into much more work than expected.
Unreliable planning – Velocity helps in forecasting future work. If it’s inflated, project planning will fail.
False achievement – Teams may feel good about “almost finishing,” but that mindset slows down growth.
Scrum works like sports. In American football, moving the ball 99 yards without scoring gives zero points. In Scrum, “almost done” also gives zero points.
Why Teams Should Not Take Partial Credit?
By enforcing a no-partial-credit rule, teams actually get better in two important ways: They focus on finishing. If partial points are not allowed, teams make sure they complete user stories fully before the sprint ends.
They learn to split big stories. Large backlog items are harder to complete in one sprint. Without partial credit, teams break them into smaller, easier-to-deliver stories during backlog refinement or sprint planning. These are exactly the habits of a good Agile team.
What to Do With Unfinished Work?
So, what happens when work is almost done but not finished? The unfinished backlog item should go back to the product backlog. It can be re-prioritized and taken up in the next sprint. If the team realizes early in the sprint that a story is too big, they can split it into smaller stories. For example, instead of one 8-point story, they create two smaller stories and complete at least one.
But this splitting should be done early (around halfway through the sprint). Splitting on the last day is just bending the rules to take credit. This approach keeps velocity honest, transparent, and predictable.
Why This Matters for Scrum Masters and Teams?
This rule is more than just “being strict.” It ensures that velocity reflects true delivery. It also helps stakeholders trust the team’s progress. For professionals building a career as Scrum Masters, Product Owners, or Agile coaches, these small but powerful practices are critical to learn.
That’s why HelloSM, known as the best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad and also recognized among the top training institutes in India, focuses on these real-world lessons in their courses. They don’t just teach theory, they prepare you for real Scrum challenges.
Getting a Scrum certification for 2 day class will not help you find your dream job with high competetrive salaries. With 3 months of expert training classes from HelloSM gives you the knowledge, confidence, and credibility to handle such situations in real projects. It also boosts your career growth, as the salary of a Scrum Master is rising steadily in India and globally.
Scrum is simple: work is Done or Not Done, no partial credit. Giving partial velocity points for unfinished work inflates numbers, misleads planning, and slows down improvement. Instead, teams should focus on finishing stories, splitting large items, and delivering real value.
For professionals, mastering these principles through Scrum certification at HelloSM, one of the best Scrum training institutes in Hyderabad is the right step toward a strong Agile career. Along with valuable knowledge, you’ll also enjoy career benefits, including the rising salary of Scrum Masters worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Scrum teams get partial credit for unfinished stories?
No. Scrum follows the “Done or Not Done” rule. Partial credit makes velocity unreliable.
Why is partial credit harmful?
It inflates velocity, gives false progress, and makes planning unpredictable.
What happens to unfinished backlog items?
They go back to the product backlog. The Product Owner decides whether to re-prioritize them for the next sprint.
Can teams split backlog items?
Yes, but only if they realize early in the sprint that the story is too big. Splitting on the last day is not acceptable.
How does no-partial-credit improve teams?
It encourages finishing stories and splitting big items into smaller, more manageable ones.
How does Scrum training help professionals with such practices?
By joining HelloSM, the best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad and a top training institute in India, you gain practical knowledge, global Scrum certification, and career growth opportunities, including a higher salary of Scrum Masters.