Scrum Sprint Planning Tips

Sprint planning meetings are essential for Scrum teams to determine the amount of work necessary to achieve the sprint goal and meet clients’ requirements. Here are some expert tips for effective sprint planning meetings:

1. Time-Box
   Scrum is all about time-boxed meetings. The duration of the sprint planning meeting varies depending on the sprint length. Avoid long meetings by focusing on the important topics that need to be reviewed. The objective of sprint planning meetings is to review the tasks that need to be done, roughly estimate the amount of work and risks and identify a candidate to execute the work.
2. Understand Priorities
   Before the sprint planning meeting, the Product Owner should confirm the task priorities with the client. Encourage team members to ask relevant questions during the meeting so that everyone understands the priorities and is clear on what needs to be done.
3. Brainstorm and Collaborate
   Sprint planning meetings are a great opportunity for team members to brainstorm and contribute their ideas, voice concerns, ask questions and offer suggestions to help achieve the sprint goal and exceed clients’ expectations.  Collaborating ideas will help team members learn from each other.
4. Be Transparent
   Transparency is important to build a trusting relationship with the client. Be sure to tell the client what was established during the sprint planning meeting so they are aware of the tasks that will be completed within the sprint and which might have potential risks.

Read more about how Shinetech’s development teams use Agile practices for effective communication with clients. What are some of your best Agile and Scrum tips? Leave a comment below or tweet us @Shinetech.

Photo credit: star5112