When the teams start working in the Scrum methodology within Agile project management one thing comes into everyone’s mind i.e; Sprint. In this blog, we will come to know What is Sprint?? How long it could be?? Who determines Sprint Lenght etc.
What is Sprint Lenght?
The life span of a sprint is called Sprint length. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, the thumb rule is to keep the sprint long enough to produce a releasable addition and short enough to assure there are more learning cycles and to limit the threat associated with cost and trouble in case of range creep. Still, also this duration may be too short if your team meets the forecasted velocity and reaches the planned sprint goals but they don’t make meaningful progress on the product in each sprint. Try stretching your sprints up to 1 month to see if it makes any difference.
Who determines Sprint Length?
The Scrum Guide doesn’t put a fixed time length on the sprint duration. It falls to the sense of teams to decide what length suits them casually and is most productive.
Opinions related to scrum team dynamics are taken by the scrum team so does the conclusion witnessing the sprint length as well. People serving the work should conclude how they should manage structure or manage the work.
The length of the sprint depends on the circumstance or nature of the design. The duration of the sprint can be 1 week to 4 weeks. But maximum of the agile practitioner believes that the sprint length should be 2 weeks. The design operation team should decide the length of the sprint.
Start with 2-week Sprint
If your team meets the forecasted velocity and reaches the planned sprint goals but they don’t make meaningful progress on the product in each sprint, then this duration may be too short. Try lengthening your sprints up to 1 month to see if it makes any difference.
Still, also this sprint life span may be too long. If your team misses the forecasted velocity or is unfit to reach the sprint goals because of unanticipated developments. Try truncating your sprints for up to 1 week.
Reason for teams to run short sprints
Short Sprints are more appreciative because it makes teams work towards winning the sprint goal. Long sprints might sound comfortable but they make the team insensible and placed back.
The appearance of scope creep, arising costs, and the creeping pace of sprint is advanced in long sprints. Though short sprints seem taxing, the outcomes are often successful.
Advantages of running shorter sprints
- Short sprints ensure stability
- Early Feedback
- Client Participation
- Monitoring velocity is easier
- Sprint Planning is easier
- . Balancing Scope creep
- No Mid-Sprint requirements
- Maintaining the essence of Scrum
How to decide on Sprint Length
Below are some of the points which you should consider while deciding on the Sprint Length:
- Short sprints help in failing and learning fast.
- Teams can easily pass through team development stages if the sprints are shorter.
- A new team needs short sprints to determine its velocity.
- Continuous Improvement is a principle of Scrum and short sprints help in fulfilling it.
- Shorter sprints are easier to estimate. Try this if your team has too much on its plate to handle.
- If there are too many obstacles that disrupt your sprints mid-way then it is better to have short sprints.
- The main benefit of Scrum is quicker feedback and having a short sprint ensures the same.
Conclusion
Good sprint planning is the most efficient way to guarantee that your team works well. Shorter sprints help you hand over goals quickly and release working software more constantly at a steady pace.
Your clients are happy because they’re getting what they need really fast and your team members are happy since they’re getting appreciated, are good to meet goals, and are largely motivated.
If you want to learn more about Sprint Length please refer to this blog.
If you want to know about How to fail as an Agile Coach you can refer to this blog.
