Agile Planning Sessions

Purpose: To collaboratively define the work the team will commit to for the upcoming iteration (usually a sprint). It's about understanding the "what," "why," and "how" of the work and creating a shared plan.

Who Attends:

• Product Owner (PO): Presents and clarifies the prioritized backlog items (the "what" and "why").

• Development Team: Discusses technical feasibility and determines how the work will be done (the "how").

• Scrum Master (SM): Facilitates the session, ensures the process is followed, and removes impediments.

When: Typically at the beginning of each iteration (e.g., sprint).

Key Activities:

1. Review the Iteration Goal (If Applicable): 

   • The PO often articulates a high-level objective for the iteration to provide focus.

2. Select Backlog Items:

   • The PO presents the top prioritized items from the product backlog.

   • The Development Team discusses each item, asking clarifying questions to ensure a shared understanding of the requirements and acceptance criteria.

   • The team considers their capacity (velocity) from previous iterations.

   • The team collaboratively selects the backlog items they believe they can realistically complete within the iteration.

3. Task Breakdown (Optional but Recommended):

   • For each selected backlog item, the Development Team may break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

   • This helps with understanding the work involved and tracking progress.

4. Estimation (If Not Already Done):

   • If backlog items haven't been estimated during refinement, the team will estimate the effort required for each selected item (using story points, t-shirt sizes, or hours).

5. Identify Dependencies and Risks:

   • The team discusses any dependencies between the selected items or potential risks that could impact their ability to deliver.

   • Strategies for managing dependencies and mitigating risks may be discussed.

6. Team Capacity Discussion:

   • The team considers individual availability (e.g., holidays, time off) to ensure the planned workload is realistic.

7. Commitment and Plan Finalization:

   • The Development Team collectively commits to delivering the selected backlog items by the end of the iteration.

   • The iteration backlog (the list of committed items and their associated tasks) is finalized and made visible to the team and stakeholders.

Tips for a Successful Session:

• Come Prepared: The PO should have a well-prioritized and refined backlog. The team should have reviewed it beforehand.

• Focus on Value: Prioritize items that deliver the most business value.

• Encourage Collaboration: Foster an open and inclusive environment where everyone contributes.

• Keep it Timeboxed: Respect the allocated time for the planning session.

• Focus on "What" and "Why" (PO) and "How" (Team): Maintain clear roles.

• Aim for a Realistic Commitment: Avoid over-committing the team.

• Visualize the Plan: Make the iteration backlog visible (e.g., on a physical board or in a digital tool).

Outcome:

A clear and shared understanding of:

• The goal of the iteration (if defined).

• The backlog items the team will deliver.

• The plan for how the work will be done (potentially including tasks).

• Any dependencies and risks.

• The team's commitment for the iteration.

Effective planning sessions set the stage for a focused and productive iteration, increasing the likelihood of delivering valuable software.