The Sprint is the heartbeat of Scrum, serving as a time-boxed container event that encompasses all other Scrum events and activities. Each Sprint is a fixed-length iteration, typically lasting one month or less, with two weeks being the most common duration. Consistency in Sprint length helps teams…The Sprint is the heartbeat of Scrum, serving as a time-boxed container event that encompasses all other Scrum events and activities. Each Sprint is a fixed-length iteration, typically lasting one month or less, with two weeks being the most common duration. Consistency in Sprint length helps teams establish a predictable rhythm and improves forecasting accuracy.
During a Sprint, the Development Team works to deliver a potentially releasable Increment of the product. This Increment must meet the Definition of Done and represent a usable piece of functionality that adds value. The Sprint Goal provides focus and coherence, giving the team a shared objective to work toward.
Key characteristics of the Sprint include its protected nature - no changes should be made that would endanger the Sprint Goal, quality goals remain constant, and scope may be clarified and renegotiated between the Product Owner and Development Team as more is learned. The Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete, though this rarely occurs.
Each Sprint contains Sprint Planning at the beginning, where the team determines what can be delivered and how the work will be accomplished. Daily Scrums occur throughout to inspect progress and adapt the plan. Near the end, a Sprint Review allows stakeholders to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog. Finally, the Sprint Retrospective enables the team to reflect on their process and identify improvements.
Sprints create a inspect-and-adapt cycle that reduces risk by limiting work to manageable timeframes. If something goes wrong, the maximum loss is constrained to one Sprint's worth of effort. This iterative approach enables teams to gather feedback frequently, respond to changing requirements, and continuously improve both their product and their process, making Sprints fundamental to Scrum's empirical approach to product development.
The Sprint - Complete Guide for PSPO I Exam
Why is The Sprint Important?
The Sprint is the heartbeat of Scrum. It is the container event that holds all other Scrum events and provides the rhythm for delivering value. Understanding The Sprint is essential for Product Owners because it defines the timeframe for planning, executing, and delivering potentially releasable Increments. As a Product Owner, you work closely with the Sprint structure to maximize the value delivered.
What is The Sprint?
A Sprint is a fixed-length iteration of one month or less during which a usable, potentially releasable product Increment is created. Sprints have consistent durations throughout a development effort. A new Sprint starts as soon as the previous Sprint concludes - there are no gaps between Sprints.
Key Characteristics of The Sprint:
• Fixed Duration: Once started, the Sprint duration cannot be changed. The maximum length is one month.
• Sprint Goal: Each Sprint has a Sprint Goal that provides focus and coherence to the Development Team's work.
• No Changes That Endanger the Sprint Goal: While scope may be clarified and renegotiated between the Product Owner and Development Team, nothing should be done that would put the Sprint Goal at risk.
• Quality Standards Don't Decrease: The Definition of Done remains constant or increases in rigor.
• Contains All Scrum Events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective all occur within the Sprint.
How Does The Sprint Work?
Starting the Sprint: Each Sprint begins with Sprint Planning, where the team determines what can be delivered and how the work will be achieved. The Product Owner presents the ordered Product Backlog items.
During the Sprint: The Development Team works to achieve the Sprint Goal. Daily Scrums help inspect progress. The Product Owner is available to clarify requirements and make decisions about scope.
Ending the Sprint: The Sprint Review inspects the Increment and adapts the Product Backlog. The Sprint Retrospective follows, focusing on improving processes.
Who Can Cancel a Sprint?
Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint. A Sprint would be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. This might occur due to company direction changes or market conditions. Sprint cancellations are rare because they consume resources and are traumatic to the team.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on The Sprint
1. Remember the Maximum Duration: Sprints are always one month or less. Never select answers suggesting Sprints longer than one month.
2. Sprint Goal is Sacred: Changes to scope can be negotiated, but the Sprint Goal should not be endangered. If a question asks about adding work mid-Sprint, the answer usually involves negotiation with the Product Owner while protecting the Sprint Goal.
3. Only the Product Owner Cancels Sprints: This is a frequently tested point. Stakeholders, Scrum Masters, and Development Teams cannot cancel Sprints.
4. No Gaps Between Sprints: A new Sprint starts as soon as the previous one ends. There is no break, stabilization period, or hardening Sprint.
5. Sprint Length Consistency: Look for answers that emphasize consistent Sprint lengths to establish a regular cadence.
6. Quality Never Decreases: If a question suggests reducing quality to meet deadlines within a Sprint, this is incorrect. Scope is the variable, not quality.
7. Sprint Equals Opportunity for Inspection and Adaptation: Shorter Sprints mean more frequent opportunities to inspect and adapt. This increases agility and reduces risk.
8. Watch for Tricky Wording: Questions may suggest extending a Sprint or pausing between Sprints. These options violate Scrum principles.
Common Exam Scenario: If asked what happens when work is not completed during a Sprint, remember that incomplete items return to the Product Backlog for re-ordering by the Product Owner. They are not automatically added to the next Sprint.