• Agile & Scrum Basics

Here’s the secret to a successful Sprint Review in Scrum

In the Scrum framework, the Sprint Review is a crucial event that takes place at the end of each sprint. It provides an opportunity for the Scrum Team to receive valuable feedback on the work delivered. A good Sprint Review is therefore essential for ensuring transparency and adaptation within the Scrum process. In this article, we will discuss the most important tips for a successful Sprint Review.

Prepare

Good preparation is …? Exactly. That’s why a good Sprint Review starts with good preparation. The Scrum team provides an agenda so that the Review runs smoothly. The Review is all about getting feedback on a working part of a product or service. So make sure that what you present works and is free of internal discussions. In addition, stakeholders should be invited and informed of the agenda and purpose of the Sprint Review. And by…

Define the goal

It is important to clearly communicate the purpose of the Sprint Review to these stakeholders. For example, the purpose may be to gather feedback on the work completed, provide insight into the project’s progress or discuss possible adjustments. Defining the purpose helps guide the discussion and thus ultimately makes for an effective Sprint Review.

Demonstration of the increment

During the Sprint Review, the Scrum Team gives a demonstration of the increment (what we delivered in the last Sprint) to the attendees. It is important to clearly explain and illustrate functionalities and features. Focus on the most important functionalities and present them in detail. Why. To increase stakeholder engagement.

Facilitate feedback

A Sprint Review is a perfect opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the work delivered. The Scrum Team ensures that the feedback session is properly facilitated. And stakeholders are encouraged to be specific and constructive in their feedback. A golden combination! The team can also ask questions to (even) better understand stakeholder needs and expectations.

Rate the product backlog

After receiving and collecting all feedback, it is important to review the product backlog . The development team, along with the Product Owner, analyzes the feedback and determines how to incorporate it into future sprints. What does this help with? With prioritizing the product backlog. It also ensures that feedback is incorporated into the continuing development process.

Reflect and learn

A good Sprint Review is not only an opportunity to present work and gather feedback, but this session can also be used to indicate what the team’s trajectory has been during the sprint. This does not involve discussing team dynamics, but rather salient points during the sprint, such as:

• what customer insights have been gained
• what insights into the product
• What salient points in the customer journey

These are salient, substantive points. Team dynamics are discussed in the Sprint Retrospective.