During sprint planning for a sales-requested backlog item, the team cannot decide which algorithm is best and thinks development work is needed to decide. What should the project manager do?

The correct answer is to create a new item in the sprint backlog to determine the appropriate algorithm. This approach aligns with agile principles by treating the decision as a discrete piece of work that needs to be investigated and resolved. It allows the team to allocate time and resources to research and determine the best algorithm, making it a transparent and manageable task within the sprint. Asking the Scrum Master to select an algorithm is incorrect because the Scrum Master is a facilitator and coach, not a technical decision-maker. Requesting a meeting with the product owner to clarify the user story is incorrect because the problem isn't a lack of clarity in the user story itself, but rather a technical decision that the team needs to make. Inviting the sales manager to the next sprint meeting to clarify requirements is also incorrect, as the sales manager's role is typically not to provide technical solutions or clarify implementation details.