A sprint is a set period during which a team works to complete specific tasks or goals, often used in agile project management. It typically lasts from one to four weeks and focuses on delivering a defined, incremental portion of a project. At the start of a sprint, teams plan their work based on priorities, then focus on completing and reviewing those tasks by the end of the sprint. This approach promotes continuous improvement, quick adjustments, and consistent progress.
In agile project management, spillover refers to work or tasks that were planned for a sprint but were not completed within that sprint’s timeframe. These incomplete tasks “spill over” to the next sprint, requiring rescheduling and re-prioritization. Spillovers can highlight areas where the team may need to adjust workload expectations, improve efficiency, or address bottlenecks to prevent repeated delays in future sprints.
A buffer week is a designated period in a project timeline meant to provide extra time for tasks that were delayed, spillover items, or unforeseen issues. Often scheduled between sprints or phases, a buffer week helps teams catch up, refine, and complete remaining tasks without impacting the overall project timeline. It provides flexibility, reduces stress on the team, and maintains project quality by allowing time for adjustments or extra testing before moving to the next phase.
