Scrum Events
Sprint Planning
Initiating the Sprint · Timebox: ≤ 8 hours (1-month Sprint)
Overview
Sprint Planning initiates the Sprint by defining the why, what, and how. The entire Scrum Team collaborates to set a Sprint Goal, select Product Backlog items, and create a plan for delivering them. This is where the team aligns on purpose and commits to a shared objective.
Event Ownership
Owned / Facilitated By
Scrum Master (facilitator) / Product Owner (content driver)
Scrum Master facilitates the event, guards the timebox, and coaches the team through the process
Product Owner comes prepared with a refined, ordered Product Backlog and a proposed Sprint Goal
Product Owner explains how the Sprint can best contribute to the Product Goal
Scrum Master ensures all three topics (Why, What, How) are addressed
Who Should Be Present
Product Owner
Proposes the Sprint Goal, explains top backlog items, clarifies acceptance criteria, and negotiates scope with Developers
Developers
Select items they can commit to, decompose them into tasks, estimate effort, and create the delivery plan
Scrum Master
Facilitates the session, ensures productive collaboration, coaches on estimation techniques, and guards the timebox
Subject Matter Experts
May be invited by the Scrum Team to provide technical or domain advice on specific backlog items
Preparation Checklist
01Product Owner: Backlog refined, ordered, and top items have clear acceptance criteria
02Product Owner: Draft Sprint Goal prepared that connects to the Product Goal
03Developers: Review velocity data, upcoming capacity (PTO, on-call), and previous Sprint’s retrospective commitments
04Scrum Master: Prepare facilitation materials — timers, voting tools, capacity worksheets
05Team: Review the Definition of Done and any changes from the last Retrospective