• Agile & Scrum Basics

What is a time box? Scrum for dummies

A timebox is the predetermination of a maximum amount of time one may spend on a particular item. The verb for this is timeboxing. Timeboxing ensures that we do not keep working on an activity until it is finished, but that when the timebox is finished that activity is actually stopped.

Only then is the outcome achieved examined. On that basis, it is determined whether it has added value to complete the activity and what effort is needed. Is it still not clear what the remaining effort is? Then a new timebox is discussed.

Scrum for dummies? These 5 key Scrum events are always done with timeboxing.

Sprint
The core of working with Scrum is a Sprint. This is a timebox of a month or less in which a “releaseable” product is developed. Sprints are the same length each time throughout the entire development process.

Sprint planning
A Sprint planning has a maximum timebox of 8 hours for Sprints of one month. This can of course also be shorter. With shorter Sprints, the timebox will also be shorter.

Daily Scrum
The daily Scrum, also called Daily Scrum, always features a 15-minute timebox.

Sprint Review
A timebox of 4 hours will be used for a Sprint Review. This is for a one-month sprint. For a shorter Sprint, the timebox is reduced proportionally.

Sprint Retrospective
A timebox of 3 hours is used for the Sprint Retrospective for a one-month Sprint. For a shorter Sprint, the timebox is reduced proportionally.

Your 3 Great Benefits of Timeboxing

1. You focus on working on the things that are really important. Because you work within the pressure of a limited amount of time, you are constantly aware of the amount of time you have left. This forces you to think carefully about what is or is not important and, of course, it also helps you focus.

2. Timeboxing is ideal for open-ended tasks. These are tasks where the task may be somewhat vague and the way to achieve the end goal does not seem to be entirely clear. With an open task, it is not immediately clear when it will be finished. With timeboxing, you force yourself to check with some regularity to see if something is finished. You also prevent excessive use of time by restricting perfectionist ulterior motives.

3. It prevents procrastination around tasks that are complex or tedious. Timeboxing helps with complex tasks to work on a project in multiple chapters. At the point when you see it as a tedious task, it is easier to commit yourself to project when you assume limited timeboxing.