CAPM Practice: Determine how to prepare and execute task management steps

Adaptive teams maximize sprint value by using available capacity productively. Options in order of preference: (1) pull the next sprint backlog item; (2) help a teammate with their in-progress work ('swarming'); (3) contribute to backlog refinement. The goal is always maximizing what gets to Done by sprint end — not individual task completion. Starting next sprint's work without planning is not recommended.

**Why not A:** Asking the product owner for permission to start next sprint's work is inappropriate because next sprint's work has not yet been planned or committed to by the team. The product owner does not assign individual tasks — sprint backlog items are self-selected by the team within the current sprint's scope.

**Why not B:** Waiting idly for the next sprint wastes team capacity and contradicts the agile principle of maximizing the amount of work not done (by doing valuable work). Idle time is an opportunity cost that reduces the team's overall throughput and sprint value.

**Why not D:** Personal development unrelated to the project does not contribute to the sprint goal. While professional growth is important, available sprint capacity should first be used to maximize the value delivered within the current sprint.