define Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective, including their purpose, participants, sequence, and maximum recommended timebox.

Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective are integral parts of the Scrum Framework, a dynamic approach to software development. They each serve specific purposes, involve various participants, require a certain sequence, and have recommended maximum time limits. Let’s delve into each of these individually for a better understanding.

1. Sprint Planning:

Purpose: Sprint Planning is the initial phase of a Sprint, setting the stage for the team’s work during the upcoming Sprint. It is a collaborative effort where the team determines the items for the Sprint backlog and discusses a flexible plan to complete these items.

Participants: The Scrum Master, Product Owner and the Development Team participate in Sprint Planning. Generally, the Product Owner describes the objective of the Sprint and the priority backlog items. The team, with the help of the Scrum Master, creates a sprint backlog, breaking down each item into tasks.

Sequence: Sprint Planning is the first event within a Sprint, typically following the Sprint Retrospective of the previous Sprint.

Maximum Timebox: The total duration of a Sprint Planning session should be less than or equal to two hours per week of the planned Sprint. For instance, a four-week Sprint should not have more than 8 hours of planning.

2. Daily Scrum:

Purpose: The Daily Scrum is held every day during a Sprint to allow inspection and adaptation of the team’s progress towards the Sprint goal.

Participants: Only the Development Team members participate and share progress, challenges, and collaborate on a plan for the next 24-hours.

Sequence: The Daily Scrum is held daily during the Sprint and aims to keep the team aligned on their efforts and mitigate any impediments.

Maximum Timebox: It lasts for max 15 minutes irrespective of the Sprint length.

3. Sprint Review:

Purpose: A Sprint Review is held at the end of Sprint to inspect the increment and adapt the product backlog. The team presents their work, and feedback is collected to guide future Sprints.

Participants: This meeting involves the Scrum Team and key stakeholders. The Product Owner typically leads the review, presenting what has been done and what has not been done in the Sprint.

Sequence: The Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint before the Sprint Retrospective.

Maximum Timebox: The meeting should not last more than one hour per week of the Sprint. For example, a two-week Sprint review should not exceed 2 hours.

4. Sprint Retrospective:

Purpose: The Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint.

Participants: The Scrum Team, including the Scrum Master, the Product Owner, and the Development Team, participates.

Sequence: The Sprint Retrospective concludes the Sprint, following the Sprint Review.

Maximum Timebox: This activity should not last more than 1.5 hours per week of the Sprint. Hence, a two-week Sprint should have Retrospectives of not more than 3 hours.

Here is a table representing the data mentioned above:

In summary, these four Scrum ceremonies provide a rhythm and structure to the Scrum team’s work, fostering a steady pace, collaboration, continual improvement, and delivering value incrementally. Understanding them thoroughly is fundamental to both practicing Scrum effectively and succeeding in the Scrum Foundations exam.