A sprint is a fixed period during which a development team works on completing a specific set of tasks or deliverables. Sprints are typically short, lasting between one and four weeks, with the most common duration being two weeks.
The purpose of a sprint is to break down a project into smaller, manageable chunks, allowing the team to focus on completing a specific set of tasks within a defined time frame.
At the beginning of a sprint, the team holds a sprint planning meeting, during which they select a number of high-priority tasks from the product backlog and commit to completing them during the sprint. These tasks are then added to the sprint backlog. Throughout the sprint, the team works on the tasks, collaborating and adapting as necessary to achieve the sprint goal.
At the end of the sprint, the team holds a sprint review to demonstrate the completed work to stakeholders and gather feedback. They also conduct a sprint retrospective, during which they reflect on the sprint and identify areas for improvement in their processes and practices.
Sprints provide a framework for iterative and incremental development, allowing teams to frequently deliver potentially shippable increments of a product, gather feedback from stakeholders, and adjust their plans and priorities as needed. This approach helps teams to better manage risks, respond to change, and improve their processes over time.