Day 14: Sprint Review

Happy Friday!

It is the end of Sprint 1 for anyone who is playing along from home.

There are two ‘ceremonies’ for any #agile unfamiliar that are associated with the closing side of a project. Those are the Sprint Review and the Sprint Retrospective. They often get lumped together and muddled. *

Sprint Reviews – focus on the work that got done during the sprint. Demonstration of the work, discussion with stakeholders, and updating the backlog can occur during the sprint.

Sprint Retrospectives – focus on the team that did the work during the sprint. If the Review focuses on what work done and is coming, Retrospectives focus on the why. **

Today we are going to only focus on the Sprint Review. When you are your main stakeholder and your own team like in a job search, it can get a bit tricky but consider this a sit-down time for yourself, no longer than 45 minutes (time block for the win!) to get a good grasp on what you accomplished this week. If you want the accountability that you have done stuff, twist it into a LinkedIn post!***

Sprint Review To-Do:

1. Demonstrate: Make a “This Week I’ve” List for your demonstration piece. Show it to your mentor/partner. Bonus, make it a LinkedIn post for the accountability/brag and you may just be surprised how your network supports you in your transparency. (15 minutes)
2. Discussion: Have a discussion with a mentor or spouse about a progress overview for what you set out to do this sprint and what wasn’t completed (if relevant). This strengthens your relationship with your mentor or your spouse and invests them in your success or makes them part of the process because they are! (15 minutes)
3. Update your Job Search Backlog: Perhaps there is a new company out there your friend told you about. Add it to the list to research. Want to redo your LinkedIn banner? Add it now. Do not debate the merits of new tasks added too in-depth. That can get handled in Sprint Planning and in that better mindset. Update the tasks if using a higher level to have enough descriptions so the work and time costs are clear. (15 minutes)

And that is it!

I typically only write these during the workweek (partly so I can have a full day of networking and unplug on #SocialSaturday and Sunday respectively) but we are going to talk about the Sprint #Retrospective tomorrow! This is something I always do with my partner on Friday night/Saturday depending on when we can have time alone child free to discuss. Look for that post tomorrow in amidst the #socialsaturdaysquad chaos.

Till then, stay fantastic!

Bexs

*My personal opinion is Reviews and Retrospectives getting muddled is entirely the fault of using two “R” words in the agile guide combined with a host of trendiness around the topic of agile for a while there.

**You ask a lot of what questions but you end up with the whys.?

*** Transparency is scary but if it is something you value, this would be a great way to demonstrate and practice it. Can state how many interviews you've had, what went well, whom you enjoyed networking with, and even tag them in.

Job Search Like a Project Manager Series:

1. Session Zero, Day 1: Getting going with User Stories (check comments!)
2. Session Zero, Day 2: Tracking the User Stories and Getting Main Values
3. Session Zero, Day 3: Plan for Life Event Interruptions
4. Session Zero, Day 4: Get a List of Companies You are Already Connected To
5. Session Zero, Day 5: Job Search Charter
6. Planning Week, Day 6: ... Dreaded Resumes
7. Planning Week, Day 7: Company Shortlist
8. Planning Week, Day 8: Agile Job Search
9. Planning Week, Day 9: Recap, Claps, and Sprint
10. Sprint 1, Day 10: Backlog and Sprint Planning
11. Sprint 1, Day 11: Daily Scrum
12. Sprint 1, Day 12: Backlog Grooming
13. Sprint 1, Day 13: Interview or Networking Opportunity?

Templates and Forms:

• Job Search Charter
• User Stories Template