During a daily standup, a developer says a backlog item won't be completed because they must take unexpected leave for a couple of days. That item is a prerequisite for a feature users expect at the next sprint review. What should the project lead do?

The project lead should work with the Product Owner to re-prioritize the sprint backlog. This is the most agile and effective approach. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and managing the backlog. With a critical item at risk, they need to assess the impact and decide if other items can be adjusted, or if the sprint goal itself needs to be re-evaluated. Notifying users of a delay is premature without first exploring internal solutions. Asking for a temporary replacement is often impractical for short, critical periods and can introduce more overhead than value. Requesting a developer to postpone essential leave is generally poor practice, negatively impacting team morale and well-being.