Sprint kickoffs that inspire action

A great sprint kickoff sets the tone for the entire sprint. Start by clearly articulating the sprint goal in terms that connect to broader business objectives. The team needs to understand not just what they're building, but why it matters to users and the company. Focus the first part of your kickoff on the objective rather than diving into technical details. When teams understand the goal deeply, they can find creative solutions to achieve it. Present the user problems you're solving and the success metrics you're targeting. This context helps developers make better decisions throughout the sprint. Review the selected backlog items and their acceptance criteria.

Make sure everyone understands what "done" means for each item. Discuss any technical risks or unknowns that could affect the sprint. Encourage questions and concerns early, when there's still time to adjust the plan. Close the kickoff by confirming team capacity and commitments. Each team member should feel confident about their role in achieving the sprint goal. A successful kickoff leaves everyone energized and aligned, ready to start building with purpose and clarity.^[1]