Sprint Planning Navigating the Path Ahead
This is the next installment in our agile methodology series, where we break down each module of this approach.
The best way to execute perfect sprints is to plan them. Consider it to be an important start for each project you embark on. It is a concrete plan that keeps all your team members and customers in sync at all times.
You could even view sprint planning as a foundation everyone can turn to when they are skeptical about how to proceed. The primary goal is to define what will be achieved during each sprint and how it will be accomplished.
What Happens During a Sprint?
During the Sprint Planning meeting, the team collaboratively reviews the prioritized items from the product backlog. After reviewing each item, they select the ones to be worked on in the sprint.
The team then discusses the scope, sets objectives, and defines goals to be achieved by the end of the sprint. Suppose an app has to be developed, having a sprint planning meeting will help understand the capacity of each team memeber. Here is a step by step breakdown of what happens during a meeting for example:
Step 1 – Spillover Review
Discuss and prioritize app features, considering user stories, bug fixes, and enhancements in the product backlog.
Step 2 – Goal Setting/Commitment
The team commits to completing a set of tasks within the sprint, ensuring alignment with the app's development timeline and user expectations. Their goals could be implementing a new user authentication system or enhancing the app's performance.
Step 3 - Task Estimation
Break down the features into smaller tasks like UI design, database integration, and testing. Estimate the effort (in hours or story points) for each task.
Step 4 - Capacity Planning
Determine the team's capacity for the sprint, accounting for team members' availability and skill sets required for specific tasks. The client is kept in the loop to ensure the delivery date matches their urgency.
Summing Up
The collaborative nature of Sprint Planning ensures that team members bring their diverse perspectives to the table. By involving everyone in the decision-making process, the team creates a sense of ownership and commitment.
This proactive approach sets the stage for a focused and productive sprint. One in which the customer is equally involved during every stage of the project. They can intervene at any point and suggest quick iterations that can immediately be implemented.
We have now laid the foundation for successful project delivery. In the next addition to this series, we will study the next step - daily standups.
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