A fixed-schedule approach to Scrum release planning, where the date and budget are fixed but the scope is flexible, is the approach most closely aligned with Scrum principles. Because the highest priority features are developed and completed first, any features that aren`t in the first version are less valuable, making it easier to release the product as planned. A fixed calendar approach also fits well with Scrum`s focus on timeboxing – prioritization is key to making the model work. At this point, you can create an initial release plan that displays a balance between the quantity in the release and the availability of the version. You can generate and estimate enough product backlog items to get an idea of when you can deploy a fixed set of features. You can drag a version line into the product backlog to view the version. The image above shows a publishing line drawn in the product backlog. Not all seats below a node are scheduled for publishing, while all items above a node are scheduled for publishing. This launch line can move up and down the product backlog as you gain deep product knowledge. The following figure shows release planning in Scrum. In release planning, one activity is to confirm constraints such as scope, date, and budget during a release and review these limitations to see if changes are needed when time has passed and what we currently think about the product and its release. Another release planning activity is product backlog grooming (refinement of the product backlog). This includes creating, estimating, and prioritizing product backlog items.
These activities can occur at different times as follows: A sprint ends with a new product increment, but this may not mean that a product version occurs. Less than 15% of executives believe their employees are ready to work in an agile environment and get organized. Therefore, release planning is an important structural tool, especially for teams new to Agile. If forward release planning doesn`t align well with your organization`s practices, replace the terminology with longer-term planning or milestone-based planning. Whatever you call it, release planning in Scrum targets a future state where important variables such as date, scope, and budget need to be balanced. The basic timeline, participants and process remain the same, regardless of the name. Sometimes longer-term planning is needed to significantly improve the user experience. You don`t want to work on irrelevant things, and you can`t publish anything that isn`t viable (can work on its own). In Scrum, the release planning process is not just for product managers and senior executives. Your Product Owner and Scrum team should also be involved.
Release planning is an art. You won`t get it perfect the first time. Don`t be afraid to adjust your release schedule and sprint schedule. That`s what Agile is. You can now easily link the product roadmap to the product backlog. This provides a detailed specification of the content. The product roadmap outlines how to step by step develop a product and deliver it on time, as well as some crucial factors that help with each release. A product roadmap is very useful when developing a product with multiple versions. The results of release planning, which are described in detail later in the chapter, are collectively referred to as the release plan. Each version must have a very strongly characterized set of Minimum Pleasure Characteristics (MRF).
One of the entries for release planning in Scrum is a high-level product backlog filled with an overview, epic product backlog (PBI) elements created during the view. These IPPs are too large and do not contain enough detail for broadcast planning. As a result, many organizations perform backlog cleanup (also known as product backlog refinement) as part of release planning or even as part of a separate workshop prior to release planning. However, an agile release plan does not describe the work in each release. Instead, iterations or sprints are combined into versions. Calculating the cost of a fixed-date or fixed-volume release is simple. Assume that the factors do not change during publishing. We are very grateful for each contribution that allows us to provide top-notch content.
