Sprint Planning
Sprint Planning is a Scrum event where the team collaboratively decides what work will be done in the upcoming sprint and how it will be achieved.
Sprint planning answers: “What can we deliver in this sprint and how?”
1. Definition
Sprint Planning is a Scrum event where the team collaboratively decides what work will be done in the upcoming sprint and how it will be achieved.
Sprint planning answers: “What can we deliver in this sprint and how?”
2. Purpose of Sprint Planning
- Define sprint goal
- Select backlog items for the sprint
- Align team on scope and expectations
- Identify risks and dependencies
- Plan testing activities early
3. Participants
- Product Owner
- Scrum Master
- Development Team (including testers)
4. Sprint Planning Structure
4.1 What — Sprint Goal & Scope
- Product Owner presents prioritized backlog
- Team selects stories based on capacity
- Sprint goal is defined
4.2 How — Execution Plan
- Team breaks stories into tasks
- Estimates effort
- Identifies testing approach
5. Manual Tester’s Role in Sprint Planning
- Review user stories and acceptance criteria
- Identify test scenarios early
- Highlight test data and environment needs
- Raise risks and edge cases
- Estimate testing effort
6. Inputs to Sprint Planning
- Refined product backlog
- Team velocity
- Definition of Done
- Previous sprint learnings
7. Outputs of Sprint Planning
- Sprint goal
- Sprint backlog
- Clear acceptance criteria
- Testing scope and plan
8. Sprint Planning vs Backlog Refinement
| Aspect | Sprint Planning | Backlog Refinement |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Commit to work | Prepare work |
| Timing | Start of sprint | Ongoing |
| Outcome | Sprint backlog | Ready backlog |
9. Common Mistakes
- Vague acceptance criteria
- Overcommitting work
- Ignoring testing effort
- Late tester involvement
10. Interview-Ready Answers
Short answer:
Sprint planning is a Scrum event where the team decides what work to deliver in the upcoming sprint.
Detailed answer:
Sprint planning involves selecting backlog items, defining a sprint goal, and planning how development and testing will be completed within the sprint.
11. Key Takeaway
Sprint Planning ensures shared understanding, realistic commitment, and early test readiness.