Introduction: What You’ll Learn
This simulation helps you figure out how to spot when a sprint is veering off track and how to get the team back in gear. You’ll practice recognizing issues early, adjusting priorities, and making sure everyone stays focused on the project goals.
You’ll practice:
- Spotting early signs of drifting off course
- Running a quick mid-sprint check-in
- Reprioritizing tasks and making necessary adjustments
- Keeping the team's spirits up and focused
Step-by-Step Simulation
Scene 1: Recognizing You're Off Track
Facilitator: (Mid-sprint, you notice from the sprint dashboard that task completion is lagging, and crucial features for the release are in jeopardy.)
"Hey team, I've noticed we're falling behind on tasks and some key features might not make it into the release. Let’s have a quick chat to see what’s going on and how we can adjust."
Facilitator: "Let’s go around and share what you’re working on and any roadblocks you’ve hit. I’ll kick things off."
Facilitator (as a developer): "I’m tackling the user profile feature but got stuck on some unexpected API issues. It’s slowing me down."
Facilitator: "Thanks for sharing. Leo, how about you?"
Scene 2: Identifying Challenges
Leo: "I’m knee-deep in this notification system bug. It’s trickier than I thought."
Facilitator: "Got it. Thanks, Leo. Priya, what’s up on your end?"
Priya: "I’m making headway on the analytics dashboard, but I'm in a holding pattern waiting for data from the backend team."
Facilitator: "Alright, sounds like we’ve got a few hurdles. Let’s figure out our top priorities and how we can tackle these roadblocks."
Scene 3: Prioritizing and Adjusting
Facilitator: "Since the user profile feature is crucial for the release, let’s focus there. Leo, could you team up with me on the API issues after this? Priya, while you’re waiting on data, could you jump in on testing other modules?"
Leo: "Yeah, I can help with the API issues."
Priya: "Sure, I can do testing."
Facilitator: "Perfect. I’ll also touch base with the backend team to speed up the data delivery for the analytics dashboard."
Scene 4: Wrapping Up and Realignment
Facilitator: "Thanks, everyone. Here’s the plan: Leo and I will tackle the API issues. Priya, you’ll handle testing, and I’ll coordinate with the backend team. Let’s check in again mid-week to make sure we’re back on track. Any questions or thoughts?"
Team: (General nods and agreement.)
Facilitator: "Great. Let’s dive back in, and remember, if you’re stuck or need anything, just give a shout. Thanks for being flexible and staying on top of things."
Mini Roleplay Challenges
Challenge 1: A team member is unclear about their priorities.
- Best Response: “Let’s go over your top tasks right after this to get us all on the same page.”
Challenge 2: Someone is frustrated with the changes.
- Best Response: “I get that changes can be tough. Let’s talk about how we can make it easier for you.”
Challenge 3: The team starts discussing unrelated issues.
- Best Response: “Those are good points. Let’s stick to our current sprint challenges and handle those later.”
Optional Curveball Mode
- A key team member is suddenly unavailable for the rest of the sprint.
- New urgent tasks come up unexpectedly.
- The team feels demoralized by realizing they’re off track.
Practice handling these challenges while keeping the sprint focused.
Reflection Checklist
Recognition and Adjustment
- Did I catch the sprint going off track early enough?
- Did I run a productive mid-sprint check-in?
Prioritization and Focus
- Did I help the team prioritize tasks effectively?
- Did I communicate adjustments clearly?
Team Morale
- Did I keep a positive and focused atmosphere?
- Did I ensure everyone felt supported and understood?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring early signs of being off track
- Not clearly communicating priority adjustments
- Letting the team feel overwhelmed or unsupported
- Failing to follow up after making adjustments