Introduction
Instead of just pulling backlog items based on capacity, some teams plan sprints around themes—a strategic goal or objective (e.g., “Improve checkout flow” or “Enhance mobile responsiveness”). This helps align sprints with business priorities.
✅ Pros
- Strong alignment with company vision
- Reduces context switching for developers
- Creates meaningful progress toward larger goals
- Motivates teams with purpose-driven work
❌ Cons
- May ignore urgent but unrelated tasks
- Themes may limit flexibility in scope
- Risk of under-delivering if the theme is too broad
- Requires strong product ownership and prioritization
Conclusion
Theme-based sprint planning works well when strategic alignment matters more than raw velocity. It’s best for cross-functional teams working toward larger business outcomes.