Who has the authority to cancel a Sprint?

The authority to cancel a Sprint lies with the Product Owner. This is because the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and making decisions that align with this goal. If the circumstances change or if it becomes clear that the Sprint Goal cannot be met or that the work being done is no longer valuable, the Product Owner is in the best position to evaluate the situation and decide whether to cancel the Sprint to reallocate time and resources towards more valuable activities.

While the Scrum Master and Development Team play crucial roles in facilitating the Sprint and ensuring that it runs smoothly, they do not have the authority to cancel a Sprint. The Scrum Master's role is primarily to support the Scrum process and help guide the team, while the Development Team focuses on delivering the work. Stakeholders, although influential in providing feedback and input, do not have the authority to cancel a Sprint either. Thus, the Product Owner's authority to cancel a Sprint ensures that there is a clear decision-maker when it comes to the overall direction and value of the project.