In an Agile enterprise, the Sprint Review and Sprint Demo are important activities of a Scrum. However, even the most practiced Scrum professional tends to mix Sprint Review and Sprint Demo – more though there is a close association between the two. The truth is that one is vastly different from the other. In this write-up, we will find out more about Sprint Demo vs Sprint Review.

To begin with, it is important to understand that the Sprint Demo is usually a part of the Sprint Review.


What is a Sprint Review? 

This is held at the end of a Sprint but the purpose is different from that of the Demo. The objective is to go through the increments to the product during the Sprint and discuss and revise the Product Backlog accordingly. So, the explicit purpose is to get feedback from the team and is usually conducted by the Product Owner.


What is a Sprint Demo? 

It is that part of the Sprint Review meeting where participants come prepared to see something – the demo of the last increments. It is the opportunity for the Scrum Team to showcase to Stakeholders and the Product Owner, things that have been done in a Sprint. The Product Owner on his part needs to showcase work that meets the predetermined Stakeholder needs. Feedback is shared, and details of the next Sprint are discussed.


Understanding the difference between Sprint Review and demo

CharacteristicsSprint Review Sprint Demo
Purpose
  • The main objective is to gather practical feedback from the gathered  Stakeholders.
  • The review is done by the Product owner vis-a-*** the Sprint goals identified. 
  • Items from the Product Backlog are also discussed *** prioritized.
  • Discuss the next Sprint
  • Align the goals and outcomes of Sprint.
  • The demo is conducted to fit-the-purpose
  • Engagement from the team to discuss the entire Sprint – issues and challenges faced; technical limitations or any other factor that did not allow the team to function optimally.
Who presents primarily?Product OwnerProduct Owner
Who attends?Relevant Stakeholders – Software Development Team, a cross-functional team from sales, operations, engineering, and external stakeholders like investors, customers, etc.The Product Owner and other concerned internal Stakeholders.
What type of meeting is it?Formal MeetingCasual Meeting
Duration of the meetingThe meeting goes on for about 4 hours in case of a monthly Sprint Review meeting.

However, if the Sprint is shorter than a month, then the duration of the Sprint Review is shorter.

There is no specific duration in Sprint Demo but this will be shorter.
Role of Product Owner 
  • He is the main organizer of the meeting.
  • He is responsible for briefing everyone about the work that has been done by the Development team in Sprint;
  • The Product Owner then addresses the Product Backlog – discussions related to current market trends and customer requirements are done.
  • Each item of the Product Backlog is discussed and prioritized for the next Sprint.
  • Simultaneously, budgets and timelines are reviewed and finalized.
  • Evaluate the acceptance criteria of the deliverable;
  • Ensure that the deliverable meets the Sprint Goal;
  • Give feedback 
  • Accept the delivery or reject it;
  • Plan for the next Sprint;
  • Take  questions from members present;
  • Give suggestions. 
  • Engage in constructive criticism, if required.
Role of the Development teamOnce the Product Owner briefs everyone about the status of the current Sprint, the Development Team then demonstrates the functionalities and answers questions.The Development Team is the main organizer of the Sprint Demo. They showcase the ‘done entity’ to the Product Owner and other Stakeholders.
What are the elements of Sprint Review?#1 – The product Owner starts by telling everyone present on the ‘Done’ items and items ‘not Done’.

#2 – The Development Team then talks about their experience during the Sprint; what all went off well and what did not; the problems that crept up during the Sprint; and the way these were resolved.

#3 – Next, the Development Team carries out a demonstration to show everyone what has been ‘done’.

#4 – The Development Team will then answer questions from those present about increments.

#5 – Next, the Product Owner takes over and discusses the current status of the Product Backlog.

#6 – If required, the Product Owner revisits the target and the timeline depending on the present status of product development.

#7 – now, the discussion opens for everyone. They decide on the next course of action. The objective is to offer inputs and insights for the upcoming Sprint Planning exercise.

#8 – The Sprint Review is also about reviewing the potential user or the market to understand if there are changes in their need and preferences, depending on which the next to-do gets decided.

#9 – Finally the schedule, budget, user, and potential capabilities are reviewed vis-a-vis the next functionality to be released.

#1 – The entire development team prepares to demonstrate the features of the product.

#2 – It is the ultimate test time when the Development Team needs to show off everyone presents the value-driven features developed.

#3 – The purpose should be to make the demo as interesting and engaging as possible; and avoid making it boring and unfocused.

#4 – The team gathers around to demonstrate what has been ‘done’ to tell everyone if the developed product meets the acceptance criteria.

#5 – Since the entire Sprint Demo is focused on the actual demo, there are lots ** preparations to be done. It is important to use test data and tools to be one hundred percent sure of the criteria being met.

#6 – The demo should be about narrating a story. That is why great Sprint Demos are about carrying for the demonstration using realistic user problems.

#7 – The purpose of the Sprint Demo is about showing how user problems get solved using the product. It should not merely to show-for the features and functionality of the product.

#8 – One of the main elements of the Sprint Demo is to show how the product adds value. Hence, the demo is ideally kept short, covering a few acceptance criteria at one time.

Result derived The output of a Sprint Review is:
  • Form a revised Product Backlog, and
  • Preparing for the next Sprint by defining the likely items from the Product Backlog.
  • Possible readjustment of the Product Backlog to address newer opportunities.
The output of a Sprint Demo are:
  • A demo of the work done in a Sprint is shown to internal Stakeholders.
  • Keeping everyone updated on the progress of the product.
  • The feedback from internal Stakeholders and team members
Why is it important?Sprint Review is about inspecting the current Sprint, the Product Backlog. It is also about adapting the Product Backlog and the new release plan.Sprint Demos are the best way to ensure QA of the product because there is an exchange of ideas on how to better the product.

It is also the best way to let across different departments and roles know what to expect from the product – it is the right platform to formally share information with cross-functional teams.

Strategizing for best results
  • Though the Product Owner is the key initiator and coordinator, however, this is about collaborative efforts between individual team members.
  • The points of discussion should be pre-decided and refined to use time well.
  • Only relevant people should be called in for the review.
  • It is good to stay focused on the topic.
  • Sprint Reviews are good for a healthy Scrum Team.
  • This is a must-have practice in all forward-looking Agile organizations. It is good to earmark a date, book a room; send emails to all concerned, and prepare for the demo.
  • Sprint Demos should be about sharing information across teams. It is good to make it a part of the organizational culture on a regular basis.
  • Sprint Demos should be kept short and focused. Instead of covering all acceptance criteria in one go, the demo should be made interesting by focusing on value-additions.
  • It is important to prepare the practice for the demo so that the Sprint Demo goes well.

 

Conclusion

Now that we understand Sprint Review vs Sprint demo, let us see why both are so vital for a Scrum team. 

The Sprint Review is about reviewing the product that has been developed. It is essential to get feedback, which in turn helps refine items in the Product Backlog. Sprint Demo, on the other hand, is about demonstrating what has been developed in the current Sprint so that there can be constructive discussion from all involved Stakeholders with the Scrum team about how to better the product and accordingly amend items in the Product Backlog.

To summarise, both processes should be part of a Scrum-based development environment. They certainly do not mean the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably. Each has its own essence – in the end, both are essential for the smooth and optimized use of an Agile organization’s resources.

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