Sprint Goals Made Simple: Use S.P.R.I.N.T. To Craft Sprint Goals

What is a Sprint Goal

Let’s take a step back first. 🌍 In the Scrum framework, a Sprint Goal is our shared objective, our north star for the sprint. It’s like the mission statement or commander’s intent for that particular Sprint. But just having a goal isn’t enough; it needs to be an effective one!

S.P.R.I.N.T.

Ever feel like sprint goals are a bit of a puzzle? Well, today, we’re simplifying the picture. I want to share with you an approach that will transform how you set your Sprint Goals. It’s all in the name – S.P.R.I.N.T. Let’s break this down together and see what we get.

S – Specific: 🎯 Just like a lighthouse guiding ships at sea, a clear and concise goal illuminates our path, eliminating ambiguities. Yet, it leaves enough room for the team to chart their own course, empowering them to adapt and navigate towards the specified goal.

P – Product-oriented: 🚀 Our goal should not just be about enhancing our product and delivering value but also about making critical investments and learnings that are key to the product’s evolution. The Sprint Goal should be a small yet impactful milestone towards the bigger product goal or product vision. You should be able to answer how this Sprint is essential in accomplishing your long-term mission.

Now, if you’re bringing Agile to the K12 classroom, let’s tweak this a bit. P can be Progress-oriented. It’s all about demonstrating strides in student learning and project goals. Because education isn’t just about delivering a product, it’s about nurturing learning and growth.

Whether it’s a product, a learning achievement, or an investment, the P in your Sprint Goal propels you toward your desired outcome. It’s about elevating our product and our team’s knowledge, one sprint at a time.

R – Realistic: ✔️ Ambition is vital, but remember – we want to work at a sustainable pace! Our goal should be achievable within the sprint’s duration. And beware of ‘stretch goals’, it usually just results in pulled muscles and burnout!

I – Inspiring: 💡 The goal we set should light a fire within the team, stirring passion and motivation that fuels our progress. It should be the answer that every team member is proud to give when asked, “What are you working on?” Let’s craft Sprint Goals that aren’t just tasks, but torches that illuminate our purpose and inspire our journey.

N – Negotiable: 🤝 Think of it as a finely tuned orchestra. The Product Owner may strike the initial chord, but it’s the collective harmony of the entire team that perfects the melody. Each member has the responsibility, and more importantly, the power, to agree or propose modifications. This shared commitment doesn’t just foster ownership; it turns our efforts into a symphony of success.

T – Testable: 📏 Like the final checkpoint in a thrilling race, our goal should be something we can possibly measure and clearly verify. It’s not just about reaching the finish line, but knowing undoubtedly when we’ve crossed it. Small wins are motivating and builds trust. But it’s crucial to remember that goals are not rigid expectations. They are meant to inspire progress and learning. So, even if we don’t hit the exact goal within a single sprint, every bit of progress we make, every piece of knowledge we gain, is a triumph worth celebrating. After all, in our journey of continuous improvement, every step forward is a victory in itself!

There you have it – S.P.R.I.N.T. Simple, right? Specific, Product or Progress-oriented, Realistic, Inspiring, Negotiable, and Testable. These simple concepts are the pillars of effective sprint goals.

S.P.R.I.N.T. Infographic

We also have a modified infographic for educators applying Agile in the classroom. As mentioned earlier, the P is adapted to stand for Progress since students are not always creating a product.

What You Can Do

I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you set your sprint goals? What makes an effective sprint goal for you? Give this format a shot, and let us know how it worked for you. Let’s continue learning together.

For those intrigued and eager to delve deeper into Agile and Scrum, I invite you to join my Certified ScrumMaster Course, where Scrum is made simple and enjoyable to learn. Enhance your Scrum skills and boost your team’s effectiveness. For educators, we have designed and adapted Scrum and Agile for the classroom; check out our Certified Agile Teacher Workshop.