Sprint (software development)

A sprint is a time-boxed period of software development focused on a given list of goals (but with variable scope). Sprints have become popular events among some Open Source projects. For example, the PyPy project is mostly developed during regularly held sprints where most of the international developer team gathers.The sprints are often held near conferences which most of the project team attend, but they can also be hosted by some involved party at their premises or some interesting location.

The practice of using sprints for open source software development was pioneered by the Zope Corporation in the early days of the Zope 3 project. From January 2002 till the start of 2006 more than 30 Zope 3 sprints have taken place.

Sprints are organized around the ideas of Extreme Programming discipline of software development. The sprint is directed by the coach, who suggests tasks, tracks their progress and makes sure that no one is stuck. Most of the development happens in pairs. A large open space is often chosen as a venue for efficient communication.

Sprints can vary in focus. During some sprints people new to the project are welcomed and get an intensive hands-on introduction pairing with an experienced project member. The first part of such sprints is usually spent getting ready, presenting the tutorials, getting the network setup and CVS or Subversion checkouts working on everyone's laptops. A different kind of sprint is where only the core team gathers and gets some important work done in a concentrated manner.

A significant benefit of sprinting is that the project members meet in person, socialize, and start to communicate more effectively when working together remotely.

See also

* Plone Sprints
* Scrum (management)

External links

* [http://www.zopemag.com/Guides/miniGuide_ZopeSprinting.html miniGuide to Zope sprinting (Zope Mag)]