Sprint planning is a critical event in the Scrum framework that takes place at the beginning of every Sprint. It is an opportunity for the Scrum Team, which consists of the Product Owner, the Development Team, and the Scrum Master, to come together and plan the upcoming Sprint.
The goal of Sprint planning is to create a plan for the Sprint that is based on the Product Backlog. The Sprint plan outlines which Product Backlog items will be completed during the Sprint, and roughly how they will be completed.
The Sprint planning event typically lasts for a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is shorter. Sprint planning is divided into two parts, each of which has a specific purpose.
Part 1: What can be done in the upcoming Sprint?
The first part of Sprint planning focuses on determining what can be accomplished during the upcoming Sprint. The Development Team reviews the Product Backlog and works with the Product Owner to select the Product Backlog items that they believe they can complete during the Sprint. This is based on their past performance and their capacity to complete work during the Sprint.
The Development Team then collaborates to create a Sprint Goal, which is a concise statement that describes the purpose of the Sprint. The Sprint Goal provides a clear objective for the team to work towards during the Sprint.
Part 2: How will the chosen work be done?
The second part of Sprint planning focuses on determining how the chosen work will be completed during the Sprint. The Development Team breaks down the selected Product Backlog items into smaller, more manageable tasks, estimates the effort required to complete each task, and identifies any dependencies between tasks.
Once the tasks have been identified and estimated, the Development Team creates a Sprint Backlog, which is a list of all the tasks that need to be completed during the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog is a living document that is updated throughout the Sprint as progress is made and new information becomes available.
During Sprint planning, the Development Team should also identify any risks or impediments that could prevent them from achieving their Sprint Goal. The team should work together to develop a plan for addressing these risks and impediments, which may involve seeking help from other team members or stakeholders.
Conclusion
Sprint planning is a critical event in the Scrum framework that enables the Scrum Team to plan and coordinate their work for the upcoming Sprint. By working together to select Product Backlog items, create a Sprint Goal, and develop a Sprint Backlog, the team can ensure that they are aligned and focused on achieving their objectives. Through collaboration and transparency, the team can maximize their chances of success and deliver value to their stakeholders.
