Zero sprint, also known as Sprint 0, is a preliminary period in agile development, particularly within the Scrum framework, that takes place before the first actual development sprint begins.
It is fundamentally a preparation phase designed to lay the groundwork necessary for successful subsequent sprints. The provided reference states that Sprint zero usually takes place before the formal start of the project and/or at a team's inception.
When Does Sprint Zero Occur?
As highlighted by the reference, Sprint Zero typically happens at crucial junctures:
- Before the Project Starts: Initiating preparations before formal development work commences.
- At Team Inception: Getting the newly formed team ready to work effectively together.
This timing ensures the team is aligned and prepared before diving into core product development cycles.
The Goal of Sprint Zero
The primary objective of Sprint Zero is not to deliver a production-ready product increment but rather to establish a solid foundation. According to the reference, the goal of the Sprint is for the Development Team to come together.
Beyond team cohesion, key goals often include:
- Aligning the team on project vision and objectives.
- Setting up the development environment and necessary tools.
- Initial planning and understanding of the scope.
- Creating the very first pieces of the product backlog.
Activities During Sprint Zero
Sprint Zero is packed with essential setup activities. The reference specifically mentions several key actions undertaken by the team during this phase:
- Develop a minimal number of User Stories: Starting to define initial requirements in a user-centric format.
- Project Skeleton: Building the basic structure or architecture of the product.
- Story Mapping: Visually organizing user stories to understand the user journey and prioritize work.
- Develop a workable product: Creating a very basic, perhaps non-functional, version of the product to validate setup or initial ideas.
Here's a breakdown of common activities:
| Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Team Formation & Bonding | Establish roles, communication norms. |
| Vision & Goal Alignment | Understand the "why" and "what" of the project. |
| Environment Setup | Configure tools, repositories, build servers. |
| Initial Backlog Creation | Write initial user stories, prioritize. |
| Architectural Spikes | Explore potential technical solutions. |
| Story Mapping | Structure the backlog visually. |
| Create Project Skeleton | Build foundational code/structure. |
| Develop Workable Product | Build a very basic, initial version. |
These activities are crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring the team is ready to execute the first functional sprint effectively.
Why Have a Sprint Zero?
While not a formal part of the Scrum framework guide itself, Sprint Zero is a widely adopted practice because it addresses practical necessities. It provides dedicated time for setup and planning activities that are hard to fit into a typical, time-boxed development sprint focused on delivering a shippable increment. It allows the team to:
- Reduce uncertainty.
- Build team understanding and cohesion.
- Set up the technical foundation.
- Create an initial, prioritized backlog.
In essence, it's the crucial preparation phase that precedes the rhythm of iterative development.
