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Planning & Processnoun · /sprɪnt ɡoʊl/

sprint goal

In simple English

In Agile methodology, a sprint goal is the unifying theme or overarching objective that guides the team throughout a sprint, typically lasting one to four weeks. It is not the same as a list of tasks or user stories; rather, it is a high-level statement that gives meaning and direction to the work. For example, a sprint goal might be "Enable users to export reports as PDF" or "Reduce API response time by 30%." Teams define the sprint goal at the beginning of a sprint during sprint planning. It helps the team stay focused, make decisions about what to prioritize if unexpected work arises, and gives stakeholders a clear understanding of what the sprint will deliver. A good sprint goal is measurable, achievable within the sprint timeframe, and aligns with the product roadmap. If circumstances change mid-sprint, the team may adjust tasks, but the sprint goal typically remains stable.

Understand what a sprint goal is and how it differs from tasks in Agile software development.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓We nailed our sprint goal this week.
✓Let us align on the sprint goal before we start planning.
✓Does this task support our sprint goal?

Real examples

in sprint planning

"Our sprint goal is to deliver the payment gateway integration so customers can buy directly from the app."

in a standup

"I am working on the database optimization, which directly supports our sprint goal of improving performance."

in a team meeting

"We should not add that new feature request now because it does not align with our sprint goal."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Often confused with individual tasks or user stories. A sprint goal is a single, shared objective for the entire team, not a list of tasks.

✕Our sprint goal is to fix bug 34, add the login page, and refactor the database.
✓Our sprint goal is to enable secure user authentication.— A sprint goal is one unified objective, not a list of individual tasks.
✕We achieved 80% of our sprint goal.
✓We achieved our sprint goal and completed 80% of the planned work items.— A sprint goal is typically binary (achieved or not), whereas progress is measured in tasks or story points.
✕Each developer should have their own sprint goal.
✓The team should commit to one shared sprint goal.— A sprint goal is a team-wide commitment, not individual objectives.

Other forms

noun

sprint goal

"The sprint goal guides all decisions we make this week."

noun phrase

to achieve/meet/accomplish a sprint goal

"We worked together to accomplish our sprint goal on time."

Often used with

define the sprint goalTo decide and communicate what the sprint goal will be
align on the sprint goalEnsure everyone agrees on and understands the sprint goal
support the sprint goalWork on tasks or activities that contribute to achieving the goal
achieve/meet the sprint goalSuccessfully complete or fulfill the sprint goal
clear sprint goalA well-defined and easy-to-understand objective

Similar words

sprint objectiveNearly identical; both terms are used interchangeably in Agile teams.
sprint themeEmphasizes the unifying topic but is less commonly used than sprint goal.

Opposites

backlogtask list

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. You are in sprint planning. What is the most natural way to phrase the sprint goal?

Complete the sentence

2. Before we start coding, we need to _______ on a clear sprint goal so everyone knows what we are working toward.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses sprint goal incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this sentence using sprint goal: 'This sprint, we want to make sure users can log in with their Google account and that the feature is ready to use.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "sprint goal" in a standup this week?

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