Why Sprint Planning Meetings Are Important While Implementing Scrum Methodology

Sprint planning is perhaps one of the most important aspects of implementing scrum methodology. It offers an opportunity to validate the product backlog and take up user stories for the sprint backlog – the list of requirements taken up by the team members for development purpose during the sprint activity. Sprint planning involves a team effort. The product owner carries out sprint planning with the help of the scrum master, and it requires an active participation by the team members to complete it in a successful manner. The team members divide the user stories taken up in the sprint backlog into individual development tasks. Subsequently, the team members take up tasks for development depending upon their levels of expertise and experience.   

What is the nature of the sprint planning meeting?

The planning meeting generally occurs in two parts – the first part involving the product owner and the scrum master, in addition to the team members. The second part is attended by the team members, who may recall the product owner to the meeting if they need his or her help.

The first part

In the initial part of the meeting, the product owner shares his or her vision regarding what should be included within the sprint backlog based upon the importance of the requirements, or the user stories, available in the product backlog. The person discusses the sprint goal with the team, and explains about what the investors and the stakeholders desire regarding the functionality associated with the product backlog items. The sprint goal is also decided and carefully explained to the team members. One of the most important aspects is the discussion related to the acceptance levels of the user stories i.e. what the user story should satisfy in terms of criteria to be considered as “completed” or “done”. Ideally, the team members should make notes during the meeting so they can remember about the specifics associated with each product backlog item. If any member is unclear about any aspect pertaining to the user story, or how it should be developed, he or she is free to ask during this part of the meeting and get his or her confusions cleared.

The second part

The second part of the meeting is succeeded by a break, usually the lunch break. This part is important for the team members since they have to discuss amongst each other how the sprint backlog items should be segregated and broken down into individual tasks. Each story should be broken down into smaller parts so the team can easily develop it. Thereafter, the individual members of the team unanimously decide as to who should take up which tasks. This part requires a proactive participation, and the members should volunteer to take up work. Generally, the work is taken up based on expertise possessed by the team member. More experienced members can take up more tasks, while less experienced ones tread carefully by taking up easier stories which can be developed without much complexity. Eventually, the list is completed as to which of the user stories will be “processed” and developed by which team member.    

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