Sprint Planning is a crucial event in Scrum that initiates each Sprint by establishing what work will be performed during the upcoming iteration. This collaborative session involves the entire Scrum Team, including the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers, working together to create a plan f…Sprint Planning is a crucial event in Scrum that initiates each Sprint by establishing what work will be performed during the upcoming iteration. This collaborative session involves the entire Scrum Team, including the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers, working together to create a plan for the Sprint.
The event is timeboxed to a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint, with shorter Sprints typically requiring proportionally less time. Sprint Planning addresses three key topics:
First, the team discusses why the Sprint is valuable. The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility during the Sprint. The entire Scrum Team then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates the purpose and objective of the Sprint to stakeholders.
Second, the team determines what can be done during the Sprint. Through discussion with the Product Owner, the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to include in the Sprint. The Scrum Team may refine these items during this process to increase understanding and confidence in their ability to complete the work.
Third, the Developers plan how the selected work will be accomplished. For each selected Product Backlog item, the Developers decompose the work into smaller tasks, typically of one day or less. This decomposition helps create transparency and enables effective progress tracking throughout the Sprint.
The Sprint Goal, selected Product Backlog items, and the plan for delivering them together form the Sprint Backlog. The Product Owner plays a vital role in clarifying requirements, negotiating scope, and helping the team understand the business value of items. Effective Sprint Planning sets the foundation for a successful Sprint by ensuring the team has a clear understanding of objectives and a realistic plan to achieve them.
Sprint Planning: A Comprehensive Guide for PSPO I Exam Success
Why Sprint Planning is Important
Sprint Planning is a critical event in Scrum that sets the foundation for a successful Sprint. It establishes what can be delivered in the upcoming Sprint and how that work will be achieved. For Product Owners, understanding Sprint Planning is essential because it is where the Product Backlog items are selected and the Sprint Goal is crafted. Poor Sprint Planning leads to confused teams, missed objectives, and wasted effort.
What is Sprint Planning?
Sprint Planning is a time-boxed event that initiates each Sprint. According to the Scrum Guide, Sprint Planning is time-boxed to a maximum of 8 hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter.
The entire Scrum Team attends Sprint Planning: • Product Owner • Scrum Master • Developers
The output of Sprint Planning includes: • A Sprint Goal - the single objective for the Sprint • Selected Product Backlog items - work the Developers forecast they can complete • A plan for delivering those items (the Sprint Backlog)
How Sprint Planning Works
Sprint Planning addresses three key topics:
Topic One: 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 then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is valuable to stakeholders.
Topic Two: 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, increasing understanding and confidence.
Topic Three: How will the chosen work get done? For each selected Product Backlog item, the Developers plan the work necessary to create an Increment that meets the Definition of Done. This often involves decomposing items into smaller work items of one day or less.
The Product Owner's Role in Sprint Planning
The Product Owner has specific responsibilities during Sprint Planning: • Ensuring the Product Backlog is ordered and ready for selection • Clarifying Product Backlog items and making trade-offs • Proposing the Sprint Goal • Helping the team understand the desired outcomes • Being available to answer questions about requirements and priorities
The Product Owner does not assign work to Developers or tell them how to build the product.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Sprint Planning
1. Remember Who Owns What • The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing value and managing the Product Backlog • The Developers are accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint and selecting how much work they can complete • The Scrum Master ensures the event takes place and helps everyone understand its purpose
2. Know the Time-box Sprint Planning is time-boxed to 8 hours maximum for a one-month Sprint. If a question mentions a two-week Sprint, expect approximately 4 hours.
3. Understand Collaboration When exam questions present scenarios where someone is dictating work or making unilateral decisions during Sprint Planning, recognize this as incorrect. Sprint Planning is collaborative.
4. Sprint Goal is Non-Negotiable Every Sprint must have a Sprint Goal. Questions suggesting Sprints can proceed with no clear objective are presenting anti-patterns.
5. Developers Forecast, Not Commit The Developers forecast what they can accomplish. They do not make binding commitments that can be used against them. Be wary of answer options suggesting forced commitments.
6. Product Backlog Refinement is Separate While some refinement may occur during Sprint Planning, it is a separate ongoing activity. Do not confuse the two in exam scenarios.
7. Focus on Value The Sprint Goal exists to provide focus and coherence. Look for answers that emphasize delivering value over completing a specific number of items.