A sprint is defined as a work cycle in the Scrum methodology, in which certain activities are planned and completed. Therefore, it is a predetermined interval of time in which the team works, during which they create the deliverable product.
Usually, the Sprint is not less than a week, nor more than a month. In turn, within each Sprint an objective is set, which will be developed in that period with a determined method and plan.
Working with Sprints within Scrum allows the team to focus on specific activities that will be developed within that set time. In this way, concentration and performance in that specific activity are increased.
In addition, a Sprint provides information on the pace of the team's work since estimates can be made on delivery dates, being able to predict how much progress is being made with the planned task.
The Sprint in Scrum allows the definition of activities so that the team can decide how to divide the tasks: all the members have the same degree of commitment and it offers the opportunity to give value to each action.
Transparency: The team is inserted in an environment in which they are aware of their problems and, in this way, they can work successfully.
Inspection: The team thinks about how it works, which is reflected in the daily meetings of the Scrum team and the Sprint review meeting.
Adaptation: The team investigates and reviews elements of its operation as well as incidents that it may have and how to cope with them.
The entire team is present at this initial meeting and it defines the increment of the deliverable product, how it will be developed, and what activities will be assigned to each member.
The purpose of this meeting is for the team to know their tasks and what they will work on, what each one is expected to do and how they will do it. As a principle of the Scrum methodology, these meetings are about feedback from the team, where there are contributions of ideas from all the members.
It is a short daily meeting, with the entire team. Each member comments on the work done the previous day and also mentions the problems or unforeseen events that have arisen and have jeopardized the achievement of the daily goal.
This daily meeting is useful to improve communication and promote quick decision-making in which knowledge about the project and its development can be adjusted.
At this stage, the role of the Scrum Master who leads the team is vital.
When the development time of the Sprint begins to run, you must ensure that you do not make changes that could affect the objectives of the Sprint. Also, if the preset time is too long, it can increase the complexity and risk of the tasks.
When the Sprint time is up, it is reviewed by both the Scrum team and the customer who requested the project.
This review is directed by the Project Owner, who is ultimately responsible for compliance with what was agreed upon in setting objectives.
The review is a point of feedback and collaboration, where changes can be introduced.
In this instance, it is about making improvements to execute in the next Sprint. The tools and elements of the Sprint are reviewed to do the next one better.
The end of the cycle always allows us to identify those things that failed or that could go better regarding the team and its work.
Product backlog or Sprint Backlog is the collection of items selected to be delivered in the Scrum Sprint, as well as the tasks required for their respective deliveries and goal achievement.
The Sprint Backlog is the sum of the Sprint Goal, the Product Backlog items chosen for the Sprint, plus an action plan on how to create the Product Increment.
The Sprint Backlog includes the elements to be developed in the execution of a Sprint to achieve the agreed increase in value. It can be modified by the team as their progress is viewed.
To recap, while the Product Backlog shows what will be done, the Sprint Backlog shows how it will be done.
When working with Sprints, the team must understand and clarify each other's objectives, so that everyone involved is aligned toward a common goal.
In addition, it is important to make the most of the planning meetings to finalize the details of all the elements to be addressed.