Understanding Metrics in Sprint Planning
Choosing the right metric to look at during Sprint Planning is crucial for making informed decisions and setting realistic goals for the upcoming Sprint.
Exam Question
Which metric makes most sense to look at during Sprint Planning?
(choose the best answer)
A. Throughput.
B. Work in Progress.
C. Work Item Aging.
D. Service Level Expectation.
Correct Answer
A. Throughput.
Explanation
Correct Answer
A. Throughput:
Throughput measures the number of work items completed in a given time period. During Sprint Planning, looking at throughput helps the team understand their capacity based on historical data. This allows them to set realistic and achievable goals for the upcoming Sprint by estimating how much work they can complete based on past performance.
Why the Other Options Are Less Effective
B. Work in Progress:
While Work in Progress (WIP) is important for managing the current workflow, it is not as useful during Sprint Planning. WIP limits help ensure a steady flow of work but do not directly inform the team about their capacity for the upcoming Sprint.
C. Work Item Aging:
Work Item Aging measures the time a work item has been in progress. This metric is more useful for tracking ongoing work and identifying bottlenecks during a Sprint rather than for planning the next Sprint.
D. Service Level Expectation:
Service Level Expectations (SLEs) provide guidelines on how long work items should take to complete. While SLEs are useful for setting expectations and managing workflow, throughput is a more direct measure of the team’s capacity and performance over previous Sprints, making it more relevant for planning.
Importance of Throughput in Sprint Planning
- Historical Data: Throughput provides a historical view of the team’s performance, which helps in making informed decisions about how much work to plan for the upcoming Sprint.
- Capacity Estimation: By understanding how much work the team has completed in past Sprints, they can better estimate their capacity and avoid overcommitting.
- Realistic Goal Setting: Using throughput to guide planning helps ensure that the team sets achievable goals, leading to more successful Sprints.
Effective Practices for Sprint Planning
- Review Historical Throughput: Regularly review throughput data from previous Sprints to understand the team’s capacity.
- Set Realistic Goals: Use throughput to set realistic and achievable goals for the upcoming Sprint.
- Adjust as Needed: Continuously monitor and adjust the planning process based on throughput and other relevant metrics to improve accuracy and performance.
Relevance to the PSK I Exam
Understanding which metrics are most useful during Sprint Planning is crucial for the PSK I exam. It demonstrates knowledge of effective planning practices and how to use data to make informed decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Throughput is the most relevant metric to look at during Sprint Planning as it helps estimate the team’s capacity based on historical performance.
- Other metrics like WIP, Work Item Aging, and SLEs are useful in different contexts but are not as directly relevant for planning the upcoming Sprint.
- Using throughput for planning helps set realistic goals and improve the success rate of Sprints.
Conclusion
Looking at throughput during Sprint Planning is essential for making informed decisions and setting realistic goals. For more information on preparing for the PSK I exam, visit our Professional Kanban PSK I™ Exam Prep.
