---
title: What should a Scrum Team do if they lack sufficient knowledge to refine a Product Backlog Item?
description: "When a [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) lacks sufficient knowledge to refine a [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) Item, they may undertake a [Spike](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/spike/). A [Spike](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/spike/) is a learning activity aimed at deepening the team’s understanding of a [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) Item. It involves researching and experimenting…"
url: "https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/docs/what-should-a-scrum-team-do-if-they-lack-sufficient-knowledge-to-refine-a-product-backlog-item/"
updated: "2024-12-19"
category: Additional Rules / Refinement
---

# What should a Scrum Team do if they lack sufficient knowledge to refine a Product Backlog Item?

When a [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) lacks sufficient knowledge to refine a [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) Item, they may undertake a [Spike](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/spike/). A [Spike](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/spike/) is a learning activity aimed at deepening the team’s understanding of a [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) Item. It involves researching and experimenting to gather the necessary information.

Spikes should have clear objectives and expected outcomes, and it is a good practice to [Timebox](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/timebox/) them to prevent excessive time spent on research. This approach ensures the team gains enough understanding to proceed without seeking perfection, thus enabling them to continue progressing with the [Project](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/project/).