Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework · Topic 3 of 5
The Sprint and Sprint Planning
The Sprint as the container event, its rules and cancellation, and Sprint Planning: why, what and how, the Sprint Goal and Sprint Backlog for PSM I.
- 3 min
- Sprints are one month or less, with no gap between them.
- No changes that endanger the Sprint Goal; quality does not decrease.
- Only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
What it is
The Sprint is a container for all other events. Sprints are the heartbeat of Scrum, where ideas are turned into value. Sprint Planning initiates the Sprint by laying out the work to be performed for the Sprint, and the resulting plan is created by the collaborative work of the entire Scrum Team.
How it works
The Sprint
- Fixed length of one month or less to create consistency.
- A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint. There is no gap between Sprints.
- All the work necessary to achieve the Product Goal, including Sprint Planning, Daily Scrums, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective, happens within Sprints.
During the Sprint:
- No changes are made that would endanger the Sprint Goal.
- Quality does not decrease.
- The Product Backlog is refined as needed.
- Scope may be clarified and renegotiated with the Product Owner as more is learned.
Shorter Sprints generate more learning cycles and limit risk of cost and effort to a smaller time frame. Each Sprint may be considered a short project.
Cancellation: a Sprint could be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint.
Sprint Planning
Timebox: a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint; usually shorter for shorter Sprints. The Scrum Team may invite other people to provide advice.
Sprint Planning addresses three topics:
| Topic | What happens |
|---|---|
| Why is this Sprint valuable? | The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint. The whole Scrum Team collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is valuable. The Sprint Goal must be finalized before the end of Sprint Planning |
| What can be Done this Sprint? | Through discussion with the Product Owner, the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to include in the current Sprint. The Scrum Team may refine these items during this process |
| How will the chosen work get done? | For each selected item, the Developers plan the work necessary to create an Increment that meets the Definition of Done. How this is done is at the sole discretion of the Developers |
The Sprint Goal, the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, plus the plan for delivering them are together referred to as the Sprint Backlog.
The Product Owner proposes value, but the whole Scrum Team defines the Sprint Goal, and the Developers select the items, through discussion with the Product Owner.
How the exam asks about this
- "Who can cancel a Sprint?" Only the Product Owner.
- "What is the maximum timebox of Sprint Planning for a one-month Sprint?" Eight hours.
- "When does a new Sprint start?" Immediately after the previous Sprint concludes.
What to remember for the exam
- Sprints are one month or less, with no gap between them.
- No changes that endanger the Sprint Goal; quality does not decrease.
- Only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
- Sprint Planning: up to eight hours for a one-month Sprint; topics why, what and how.
- Sprint Goal + selected items + plan = Sprint Backlog.
Scrum has no "Sprint 0", hardening Sprint or release Sprint. All work, including quality work, happens within normal Sprints.
Common mistakes
Letting the Scrum Master or stakeholders cancel a Sprint. Only the Product Owner can.
Leaving the Sprint Goal for later. It is finalized before Sprint Planning ends.
Adding a planning gap between Sprints. The next Sprint starts immediately.
Check yourself
What is the maximum length of a Sprint?
One month.
What three topics does Sprint Planning address?
Why the Sprint is valuable, what can be Done this Sprint, and how the chosen work will get done.
What makes up the Sprint Backlog?
The Sprint Goal, the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint and the plan for delivering them.
Topic 3 of 5 in Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
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