Backlog Grooming - Agile Coach (2019)
Sprint Planning Process at Atlassian
Overview of the Three-Step Sprint Planning Process
- Atlassian has developed a three-step sprint planning process that includes:
- Backlog grooming meeting
- Actual planning session
- Creating initial action items
Importance of Sprint Planning
- Previous discussions highlighted how sprint planning helps to:
- Focus execution
- Minimize surprises during development
- Ensure higher quality code overall
Step One: Backlog Grooming Meeting
- The backlog grooming meeting is often met with resistance from developers as it requires a preliminary meeting before the main planning session.
- This pre-meeting is designed to save time and enhance productivity during the actual sprint planning by addressing key tasks:
- Grooming the backlog
- Deciding on work for upcoming sprints
Conducting Effective Backlog Grooming
- It is recommended that backlog grooming occurs in a separate meeting involving the product owner and scrum master, making attendance optional for the full development team.
- Teams should allocate at least 30 minutes to triage issues likely to be addressed in the next two sprints, identifying gaps in details or information needed from the product owner.
Benefits of Pre-Grooming Meetings