Business analysis glossary
Sprint
What it is
A sprint is a fixed, short period, commonly one to four weeks, in which a Scrum team plans, builds and reviews a small set of backlog items. It ends with a working increment and a review of what to improve. During a sprint the scope is protected, so the team can concentrate, and any new request waits for the next planning session unless it is urgent.
Why it matters
Short cycles give frequent feedback, expose problems early and let the product change direction without wasting months of work. The regular rhythm also helps stakeholders know exactly when they will see progress and when to give feedback, which improves trust.
Example
In a two-week sprint, the Pinecrest Software team commits to four stories. On day ten the analyst confirms acceptance criteria, the team demonstrates the work to stakeholders, and unfinished items return to the backlog. The analyst remains available all sprint to answer questions about the stories, so the team does not stop to guess at requirements.