When does the next Sprint begin?

In Scrum, the start of the next Sprint is typically determined during the Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective meetings. These two meetings are held at the end of each Sprint.  The next Sprint begins immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint. The Scrum Team, including the Development Team, Product Owner, and Scrum Master, participates in the Sprint Planning meeting for the next Sprint. During this meeting, the team plans the work to be done during the Sprint, defines the Sprint Goal, and creates the Sprint Backlog.

In Scrum, the transition from one Sprint to the next is a well-defined and structured process that occurs within the framework's iterative and incremental development cycle. The initiation of the next Sprint is typically determined during two key meetings: the Sprint Review and the Sprint Retrospective.

The Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective meetings are integral components held at the conclusion of each Sprint. These meetings serve distinct purposes in evaluating the previous Sprint's outcomes, gathering feedback, and planning for the upcoming Sprint.

During the Sprint Review meeting, the Scrum Team, including the Product Owner, Development Team, and Scrum Master, collaborates to review the work completed during the Sprint. This includes demonstrating the potentially shippable product increment to stakeholders, gathering feedback, and discussing any adjustments or enhancements needed. The insights gained from the Sprint Review inform the team's understanding of progress, customer satisfaction, and potential changes or improvements for future Sprints.

Following the Sprint Review, the team convenes for the Sprint Retrospective meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to reflect on the Sprint process itself, focusing on what went well, areas for improvement, and action items for enhancing productivity, collaboration, and effectiveness in the next Sprint. The Sprint Retrospective encourages open communication, feedback sharing, and a commitment to continuous improvement within the Scrum Team.

Once the Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective meetings are concluded, the Scrum Team proceeds to plan for the next Sprint. This planning occurs in the Sprint Planning meeting, where the team collaboratively defines the Sprint Goal, selects the Product Backlog items to work on, and creates the Sprint Backlog. The Sprint Planning meeting sets the stage for the upcoming Sprint by aligning the team's objectives, priorities, and commitments.

It's essential to emphasize that the duration of a Sprint is predefined and agreed upon by the Scrum Team, typically ranging from one to four weeks. This fixed time frame provides a consistent rhythm for the team's work, facilitates regular inspection and adaptation, and supports iterative development cycles. Once a Sprint commences, its duration remains constant, ensuring a structured and manageable approach to delivering value incrementally within the Scrum framework.