Certified Scrum Master Practice Test

Which of the following best describes a Sprint?

1. A short period of development that does not include testing

2. A fixed-length iteration during which specific work has to be completed

3. A timeframe for product release planning

4. An informal gathering to discuss project updates

The correct answer is: A fixed-length iteration during which specific work has to be completed

A Sprint is best defined as a fixed-length iteration during which specific work has to be completed. This embodies the core principles of Agile and Scrum practices. Sprints are typically time-boxed to one to four weeks, allowing teams to focus on delivering a potentially shippable product increment within a consistent timeframe. During a Sprint, the team engages in various activities such as planning, executing, and reviewing the work items selected from the backlog. The focus is to enhance productivity and achieve specific goals while ensuring that the team has the opportunity to inspect and adapt their processes at the end of each Sprint through the Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective. This clearly contrasts with the other options. Although development may occur in Sprints, stating it does not include testing fails to capture the iterative and integrated approach of Scrum, where testing is an integral part of delivering a complete product increment. The notion of a timeframe for product release planning implies a broader planning scope rather than the focused execution of tasks within a Sprint, which is more about operational work than strategic planning. Lastly, an informal gathering is not representative of a Sprint; rather, it describes a different aspect of team communication, such as a stand-up or check-in meeting. Sprints are structured and fundamental to the Scrum