Guide on Iteration Planning in Agile Project Management

<b>What is Iteration Planning?</b><br />Iteration planning is a key step in Agile Release Planning that aims at detailing the next iterations (sprints) where the development team will deliver incremental value to the product. The iteration could last from one to four weeks depending on the project requirements and team’s velocity.<br /><br /><b>Why is Iteration Planning important?</b><br />Iteration planning is important as it provides clear understanding on the scope, deadlines and tasks for the sprints. It helps in aligning the team towards the goals and objectives of the sprint.<br /><br /><b>How does Iteration Planning work?</b><br />In Iteration Planning, the team discusses and agrees on the user stories to be developed in the upcoming sprint. They decompose the agreed user stories into tasks, providing an estimate for each task. They allocate these tasks among themselves, based on their estimation and capacity.<br /><br /><b>Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Iteration Planning</b><br />When answering exam questions on iteration planning, specify the importance, process and benefits. Use terminology appropriate to Agile Project Management. Understand the distinct roles involved in Iteration planning such as Product Owner, Scrum Master and Development team. Discuss the output of iteration planning - a committed plan of deliverables for the next sprint.<br /><br />As per the scenario, include the importance of backlog refinement before iteration planning, the importance of team’s consensus in estimating effort and the flexibility of re-prioritizing based on the changing business needs.