Scenario: The Team Keeps Missing Sprint Goals – What Would You Do?

You’re a Scrum Master, and your team is consistently missing sprint goals. What’s your next move?

Imagine this:

Your team just wrapped up another sprint retrospective, and once again, they didn’t hit all their sprint commitments. The backlog items keep rolling over, stakeholders are frustrated, and morale is starting to drop.

You hear things like:

• “We keep overcommitting.”
• “Too many distractions.”
• “Some team members aren’t pulling their weight.”
• “Stakeholders keep sneaking in last-minute work.”

As the Scrum Master, it’s your job to fix this. But what’s the real issue here? And how do you handle it?

Step 1: Identify the Root Cause

Before you jump into solutions, figure out WHY the team is missing sprint goals. Ask yourself:

? Is the team overcommitting? (Unrealistic workload in the sprint?)

? Are there too many unplanned tasks? (Stakeholders throwing in “urgent” work?)

? Is there a skill gap? (Are team members struggling with tasks?)

? Is there a lack of collaboration? (People working in silos, not helping each other?)

? Are external dependencies blocking progress? (Waiting on another team?)

Once you pinpoint the root cause, you can focus on the right fix.

Step 2: Take Action

Depending on the problem, here’s how you handle it:

If the Team Is Overcommitting:

Solution: Help them set realistic sprint goals.

• Use the velocity to guide sprint planning.
• Encourage the team to push back on unrealistic expectations.
• Prioritize what really needs to be done this sprint?

Pro tip: Stop the “we’ll figure it out” mindset. If it wasn’t properly planned, it’s not a priority.

If Too Many Unplanned Tasks Are Disrupting the Sprint:

Solution: Create a buffer zone for unexpected work.

• Set aside 10-20% of sprint capacity for last-minute tasks.
• Hold stakeholders accountable—if they keep disrupting sprints, have a hard conversation about planning discipline.
• Work with the Product Owner to protect the team from mid-sprint scope creeps.

Pro tip: Teach stakeholders that every last-minute request has a trade-off—something else won’t get done.

If There’s a Skill Gap:

Solution: Pair programming & knowledge sharing.

• Encourage senior devs to mentor junior devs.
• Introduce “learning Fridays” or skill-building time.
• Bring in external training if needed.

Pro tip: If one person is always a bottleneck, that’s a risk. Cross-train the team.

If Collaboration Is Lacking:

Solution: Create a culture of teamwork.

• Encourage daily check-ins: “What’s blocking you?”
• Foster peer accountability—team members should help each other, not just wait for the Scrum Master to fix things.
• Make retrospectives a safe space for honest feedback.

Pro tip: If someone is struggling, make it easy for them to ask for help—without feeling judged.

If External Dependencies Are the Problem:

Solution: Proactively manage dependencies.

• Identify blockers before the sprint starts.
• Set clear expectations with external teams.
• If you’re always waiting on another team, ask: Can we build in a way that reduces dependencies?

Pro tip: If dependencies are a consistent problem, it might be time for leadership to step in.

Final Step: Hold a Reality Check Meeting

Once you’ve identified and tackled the root cause, have a reset conversation with the team:

“Hey team, we’ve been missing our sprint goals. Here’s what I’m seeing: [describe the issue]. Let’s adjust our approach so we can deliver what we commit to.”

Make this a team discussion, not a blame game. Let them share their thoughts, frustrations, and ideas.

Remember: Your role as a Scrum Master isn’t just to enforce Agile practices—it’s to help the team deliver results.

Now It’s Your Turn!

?? What would YOU do if your team kept missing sprint goals?

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Have you faced this issue before? How did you fix it?