What Are The Main Steps of Sprint Planning?

Today, sprints are increasingly used in project planning, which in one way or another involve the use of flexible methodologies. Of course, classic approaches are still in use and very often turn out to be the best solution for a project. However, it is the sprints that make it possible to survive in the constant race for cost-effectiveness and novelty. Their task is to help save considerable time and keep the project from potential risks and losses. For all of the above reasons, sprints are the methodology of choice in more than seventy percent of cases. Today we will briefly describe sprints and explain how they are prepared. For more information on the sprint cycle agile click here. Besides, there is a professional team waiting for you there, with the help of which you will be able to understand whether this methodology is suitable for your project.

What is Agile Sprint?

The first thing we have to deal with is the definition. The methodology involves splitting up the workflow into specific tasks, which are carried out one at a time. Each task must have a goal, which is set before the work begins. In addition, not much time is allocated to the task at hand. On average, a sprint takes between five days and two weeks. The methodology involves constant communication between all those interested in the project. This approach to the issue avoids a lot of mistakes, which are caused by confusion due to the presence of the human factor. In addition, the entire methodology is built on a hands-on approach and a detailed study of the end user. In this way, you get a result that makes the product as customer-focused as possible. In addition, Sprints uses a variety of innovative tools which avoid lengthy paperwork and leave more time to implement creative ideas. Together, all of these steps lead to phenomenal results.

Key steps in sprint planning

Above we have briefly described sprints and the benefits that can be gained by using the methodology. What remains to be understood is how it is planned and what tools are used.

Earlier we only talked about one task that is the basis of a sprint. But of course, as you may have guessed, there are many more when working on a project. This is why sprints are grouped into what are known as circles.

So what happens when planning a sprint? Let’s break it down.

1. So, before you start work, you need to gather everyone who will be involved in the project and have a discussion. The purpose of this conversation is to identify the main tasks and the time needed to complete them. That is, all participants make a first planning outline. During this exercise, absolutely everything is taken into account: from the experience the team has gained from similar projects, to an analysis of the features unique to the current project.

2. Then the process of assigning responsibilities to the focus group members begins. Each team member is assigned a task and time to complete it. It is worth understanding that no matter how much time is spent on planning, there are still times when time is needed to make some adjustments and complete tasks that were not completed in the previous sprint. It also happens that decisions that have already been made need to be revised or improved. All of the above are always taken into account when planning each new sprint.

Sprint Tools

There are several tools that are used in sprints:

• Kanban boards. This is the kind of thing that allows for the visualisation of certain segments of the workflow.
• Programmes that help create interactive documentation and also help participants communicate without the use of offline meetings.
• There are also programmes that broadcast a variety of information, describe key sprint objectives and much more. Such data can be accessed by any project participant at any time.

Conclusion

All sprint preparation processes are necessary in order to bring all team members together and channel their creativity into working towards tangible results. All of this is possible as each of them works on their task and does not waste time on everything else. Daily online working meetings enable the results of the day to be demonstrated. All successful ideas are entered into online documents. Thus, when someone needs to refresh his or her memory on an issue, this can be done quickly and easily. 

An important aspect of sprints is that the project owner also participates in the process, which leads to a full understanding. Thus, by using a flexible methodology, you get many benefits. But, be careful, because the fact that sprints are being used more and more does not mean that they are being done well. In any case, you should look for a team to work on sprints among professionals who are committed to a personal approach and can provide case studies of projects they have worked on before.