The last process left to consider is used only in exceptional cases (Sprint Cancellation). For example, during a sprint, it turns out that the requirements have changed so much that it makes no sense to implement the current stories. To avoid wasting resources, the product owner stops the sprint.
All stories and tasks that pass the readiness criterion are demonstrated and can be released.
Anything that is not finished must be reassessed, given that some of the work has already been done. These stories are put back into the backlog with the appropriate priority, probably quite low.
The usual reason for sprint cancellation is that the sprint’s goals are no longer valid or relevant. This can happen due to changes in the project’s requirements or priorities or to unforeseen issues or obstacles that make it impossible to complete the sprint’s goals. Additionally, if the team is not able to deliver a usable increment of the product by the end of the sprint, the sprint may also be canceled.
What is the impact of sprint cancellation?
Sprint cancellation can have a number of impacts, both on the project and on the team. Some of the potential impacts include:
- Loss of time and resources: Cancelling a sprint means that the time and resources invested in the sprint have been wasted, and will need to be reallocated to other tasks.
- Disruption to the team’s workflow: Cancelling a sprint can disrupt the team’s workflow and morale, as they may have to shift focus to new tasks and goals.
- Delayed delivery: If a sprint is canceled, it may delay the overall delivery of the project, as the team will need to spend time re-planning and starting a new sprint.
- Loss of customer/stakeholder trust: Cancelling a sprint may also damage the trust of customers and stakeholders in the project, and may lead to a loss of confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on their commitments.
It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and the specific impacts of sprint cancellation may vary depending on the circumstances of the project and the team.
How do replan activities after sprint cancellation?
There are several steps that can be taken to replan activities after a sprint cancellation:
- Identify the reasons for the sprint cancellation: Understand the reasons why the sprint was canceled, and what went wrong. This will help to identify any issues that need to be addressed in order to prevent future sprint cancellations.
- Review and update the product backlog: Review the product backlog, and update it to reflect any changes in priorities or requirements. This will help to ensure that the team is working on the most important items first.
- Hold a team meeting: Hold a meeting with the team to discuss the sprint cancellation, and to come up with a plan for how to move forward. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the team is aligned on the next steps.
- Re-estimate the remaining work: Re-estimate the remaining work for the project, and update the sprint backlog with new tasks and goals. This will help to ensure that the team is aware of the work that needs to be done, and that they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
- Re-plan the sprint: Re-plan the sprint, taking into account the updated product backlog, any changes in priorities or requirements, and any issues identified during the sprint cancellation.
- Communicate with stakeholders: Communicate with stakeholders about the sprint cancellation, and provide them with an updated schedule and plan. This will help to ensure that they are aware of the situation and that they are able to plan accordingly.
It’s essential to keep in mind that replanning after sprint cancellation is a process and it can take some time to get things back on track. By keeping communication open and involving the team in the process, the replanning process will be smoother.
