Introduction
Agile teams know the importance of well-structured sprint planning. It sets the tone for the next iteration, ensures alignment, and helps balance workload. But sprint planning can look very different depending on the technique your team adopts. In this post, we’ll explore popular sprint planning methods and weigh their pros and cons.
1. Capacity-Driven Planning
Teams estimate how much work they can complete based on availability (hours, days, or story points) and fill the sprint accordingly.
✅ Pros:
- Transparent workload distribution
- Aligns with team availability
- Reduces burnout risks
❌ Cons:
- Assumes accurate capacity tracking
- Can lead to under-commitment if estimates are conservative
2. Velocity-Driven Planning
Here, teams use historical velocity (average story points completed in past sprints) to forecast what they can commit to next.
✅ Pros:
- Data-driven approach
- Encourages predictability
- Helps stakeholders with forecasting
❌ Cons:
- Past performance may not predict future performance
- Doesn’t consider sudden team changes (vacations, onboarding)
3. Commitment-Based Planning
The team collectively commits to a realistic set of backlog items they believe can be achieved.
✅ Pros:
- Encourages ownership and accountability
- Builds team morale when commitments are met
- Flexibility in considering qualitative factors
❌ Cons:
- May lead to over-commitment under pressure
- Less predictable for long-term forecasting
4. Hybrid Approach
Many teams combine velocity and capacity planning to balance historical data with real-world constraints.
✅ Pros:
- Balanced and pragmatic
- Adjusts for both past performance and current availability
- Reduces risk of over/under-committing
❌ Cons:
- Requires more planning time
- Can feel complex for new teams
Conclusion
There’s no single “best” sprint planning technique – what works depends on your team’s maturity, project complexity, and organizational culture. Start with one method, experiment, and adapt until you find the right balance. The key is to ensure planning fosters collaboration, transparency, and achievable goals.