The Sprint Review: More Than Just a Demo
The Sprint Review is often misunderstood as simply a “demo,” but it’s far more than that. It’s an opportunity for the Scrum Team and stakeholders to inspect, adapt, and align on what’s been done and what comes next. Think of it as the team’s chance to take a step back, assess progress, and ensure everyone is moving toward the same goal.
So, who actually attends this important meeting? First and foremost, the Scrum Team, which includes the Developers, Product Owner, and Scrum Master. But it doesn’t end there—stakeholders, anyone invested in the product’s success, are also key participants. These could be users, business owners, or other team members who have a stake in the project’s outcome. Their input is crucial for making informed decisions about the product’s direction.
When it comes to the Scrum Team’s role in the Sprint Review, it’s all about collaboration and communication. The Developers showcase the completed work, ensuring it meets the Definition of Done. It’s not just about saying, “Look, we built something”—it’s about showing that the work is truly done and ready for feedback. The Product Owner provides the necessary context, helping everyone understand how the work fits into the bigger picture and facilitates the discussion about what should be prioritized next. The Scrum Master’s job is to keep the event on track, ensuring it stays true to Scrum principles and that the team follows the agreed-upon process.
Now, how do you actually showcase the work? The key is to prepare a working product increment. This isn’t the time for mockups, slides, or long PowerPoint presentations. Instead, bring a real, functioning version of the product to the table. If that’s not possible, be honest and transparent about what is ready for review. Using real-world scenarios to demonstrate the value of the work makes it much more relatable for stakeholders, helping them see how the feature will benefit users in practice.
Timeboxing is essential in keeping the Sprint Review effective and efficient. For a typical two-week sprint, aim for a meeting length of about two hours. This keeps discussions focused and productive, ensuring that everyone has a chance to provide input without dragging things out unnecessarily.
When running a Sprint Review, there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind. First, always encourage feedback from stakeholders. Their perspective is invaluable, and it’s important to create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Also, make sure to highlight how the Sprint Goal was achieved. This reinforces the team’s progress and shows how each piece of work contributes to the overall product vision. On the flip side, don’t turn the Sprint Review into a status update session. Stakeholders aren’t looking for a laundry list of tasks completed—they want to know what’s working, what’s not, and how the product is evolving. And above all, don’t hide unfinished work. Transparency is key to building trust with stakeholders. If something isn’t done yet, own it and use the feedback to drive future improvements.
For example, let’s say the team has built a new search filter for a shopping app. In the Sprint Review, instead of simply talking about the feature, the Developers should demonstrate how the filter works in a live environment. They could also share any feedback gathered from real users, which can spark a discussion on how to improve the feature or make adjustments moving forward. This gives everyone—team members and stakeholders alike—a clear sense of the product’s progress and what needs to be done next.
In summary, the Sprint Review is a chance for the Scrum Team and stakeholders to come together, inspect the work completed, adapt based on feedback, and align on next steps. It’s not just about showing off what’s been built—it’s about making sure everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goal.
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