Sprint

May 15, 2025
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What is a Sprint?

A sprint is a set period during which a team works to complete specific tasks or deliverables. Commonly used in Agile project management, it usually lasts one to four weeks. At the beginning of each cycle, the team selects a group of items from the product backlog to focus on. The goal is to deliver a usable and shippable product increment by the end of the sprint. Teams often hold planning meetings, daily check-ins, and review sessions to ensure alignment and track progress. The fixed timeframe helps maintain focus and supports continuous improvement through regular reflection and adjustment.

Key Points

  • It has a fixed duration, most commonly two weeks.
  • A prioritized product backlog drives the work completed during the cycle.
  • Each sprint begins with a planning meeting and ends with a review and retrospective.
  • The team aims to deliver a product increment that adds value.
  • It encourages iterative development and rapid feedback.

Related Terms

  • The product backlog is the list of all desired features, fixes, and updates that serves as the source of work selected for a sprint.
  • The team holds a sprint planning meeting to decide which backlog items it will complete during the cycle.
  • The scrum master is responsible for facilitating the sprint process and removing obstacles for the team.
  • A daily stand-up is a short meeting held each day of the sprint to review progress and update priorities.
  • A sprint retrospective allows the team to reflect on what went well and what needs improvement for future cycles.

Sprint: Example

A software development team at a financial services firm runs a two-week sprint. During the sprint planning meeting, they select five tasks from the product backlog, including a new login feature and a fix for a mobile bug. Each day, they hold a 15-minute stand-up to track progress. At the end of the two weeks, the team demos the completed work to stakeholders and discusses lessons learned in a retrospective meeting.

Sprint: Best Practices

  • Keep the duration consistent to establish a predictable workflow.
  • Prioritize clear, achievable goals within the timebox.
  • Engage all team members in planning, review, and retrospective sessions.
  • Use visual tools like task boards to track progress throughout the sprint.
  • Encourage open communication and frequent feedback to improve outcomes.

Additional Resources

Sprint - Scrum and Agile Study Guide: Become an Agile team member, product owner, or scrum master     Sprint - Agile Practice Guide

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