What is a Sprint?
Answer
A Sprint is the heartbeat of Scrum — a time-box of one month or less during which the Scrum Team creates a valuable, useful Increment. Key characteristics: (1) Fixed duration — once chosen (1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks), Sprint length stays consistent to create rhythm and predictability; (2) Sprint Goal — a single objective that gives the Sprint purpose and focus; (3) No changes during Sprint — Scope changes that endanger the Sprint Goal are discouraged, though Developers can renegotiate scope with the Product Owner; (4) Potentially releasable increment — every Sprint produces something potentially valuable enough to release; (5) Sprints can be cancelled — only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, only if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete (rare). Sprints create a consistent cadence that enables accurate velocity measurement and predictable planning.