The Purpose of the Sprint Review
Scrum is a framework that contains 5 events. In this blog I try to explain from my perspective what it is and what the goal we can achieve with this event.
A very common mistake is that the Sprint Review is seen as a demo in which the devopers show “Things” to the public.
To contradict the above common statement and to create a solid foundation, I would like to quote a passage from the scrum guide regarding Sprint Review.
Scrum Guide :
“The purpose of the Sprint Review is to inspect the outcome of the Sprint and determine future adaptations. The Scrum Team presents the results of their work to key stakeholders and progress toward the Product Goal is discussed.
During the event, the Scrum Team and stakeholders review what was accomplished in the Sprint and what has changed in their environment. Based on this information, attendees collaborate on what to do next. The Product Backlog may also be adjusted to meet new opportunities. The Sprint Review is a working session and the Scrum Team should avoid limiting it to a presentation.”
But what is a Sprint Review?
As described, it is a working session in which the scrum team and the invited stakeholders go on a journey to discover what has been delivered and then together determine the next steps towards the Product Goal. This can result in a change of course because new insights have been gained. Let’s start by defining some of the building blocks of the Sprint Review. Below I have provided a schematic representation.
What you do and what you don’t do during a Sprint Review
Over the years, I have gained some experience in which aspects you should include during the Sprint Review and what you should not do.
See a small selection below to give you an impression
Sprint review responsibilities and who is involved
As mentioned earlier, the scrum team and stakeholders are involved in this event during the sprint review. Each discipline plays a crucial role for an optimal work session.
In the image below I have listed a number of responsibilities, categorized by role
Sprint Review Checklist
Below you will see a step-by-step plan that I have made that can help you prepare the sprint planning. Of course, not all steps are mandatory and depending on your situation, it is up to you to determine which activities you will or will not use
Conclusion
Sprint review is a working session that plays a crucial role within the sprint. A well-organized product backlog, together with the product goal and the sprint backlog, ensures that everything is transparent and clear. Collecting feedback also allows us to inspect and make adjustments to the product backlog. Adjustments are necessary to process new insights obtained and to enable the course towards the product goal
Remember that effective communication and collaboration are crucial during the Sprint Review. The primary goal is to gather feedback, adapt the product backlog, and ensure that the team and stakeholders are aligned on the product’s direction.
Hopefully, with this blog I have brought you some new insights into what the sprint review is all about and will help you to make the work session run smoothly!!
Resource
Scrum.org has made an interesting video about Sprint Review in which the above aspects are discussed. Highly recommended to see it ☺
