Sprint Review
Sprint Review: How to Inspect and Adapt the Product
According to the Scrum Guide, the sprint review is a timeboxed event that takes place at the end of each sprint. Basically, it serves as an opportunity to inspect and adapt the product. During this meeting, the Scrum Team presents the completed features and gathers feedback from stakeholders. As a result, the team must update the product backlog based on the collected insights. Furthermore, the sprint review reinforces empiricism by promoting transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
Like other Scrum events, the sprint review has a fixed duration. In a four-week sprint, for example, it can last up to four hours. However, for shorter sprints, the event should be proportionally shorter.
Sprint Review Approach
Following the principles of empiricism, there is no single standardized way to conduct a review. Basically, each team should choose the approach that best fits its needs.
That said, however, it is possible to find common components in most sprint reviews. Firstly, the team may present the sprint goal, the progress made, the backlog items included in the sprint, and the completed work. Following, team members typically demonstrate the finished features. However, the team can only present fully completed features. In other words, the team cannot show any functionality that does not meet acceptance criteria and quality standards.
Finally, the product owner gathers stakeholder feedback, including observations, suggestions, and priority adjustments. Based on this input, the team can then refine the product backlog and the minimum viable product.
What a Sprint Review Is Not
The team should not use the it to validate or approve the product increment. Instead, this confirmation should happen before the sprint review. The primary purpose of the sprint review is to collect feedback.
By presenting the product to customers and users, the team gains valuable insights that help steer the rest of the project and future sprints. Without a doubt, the team should approach this feedback with a positive and open mindset, avoiding any defensive reactions. Constructive feedback is essential for continuous improvement and successful product development.