Handling Priority Bugs Without Derailing Your Sprint
Valerio Zanini
Product and Agile expertise for teams and companies - Product Trainer CPIT, Scrum CST, SAFe SPC
Hello,?
Have you ever been in the middle of a Sprint when a critical bug suddenly demands your attention? A common scenario can disrupt your team's focus and workflow. So, what should we do when priority bugs appear mid-sprint??
Some of the strategies you can do are:?
Creating a Buffer
If your team often handles unexpected issues like bugs or support tasks, allocating some buffer capacity in each Sprint might be wise. For instance, if your team has a capacity of 50 points, you might reserve 20 points for unforeseen work, leaving 30 points for planned tasks. This way, if something urgent comes up, you can address it without derailing your Sprint Goal.
Saying? "No”
Sometimes, the best response to unexpected requests is to say, "Not right now." Your Product Owner can prioritize the new task for the next Sprint, keeping the current Sprint on track. This approach maintains focus and ensures the team delivers quality work without unnecessary disruptions.
For more tips and strategies for managing priorities and maintaining Sprint focus, you can check out my book, Sprint Your Way to Scrum, here.?
Best,
Valerio Zanini
Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) | Certified Product Innovation Trainer (CPIT) | SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)