Is Finishing Sprints on JIRA Without Closing All Stories a Bad Approach?

Finishing sprints on JIRA without closing all stories is a common practice but might not always be ideal. In this article, we will explore the potential drawbacks and benefits of such an approach and suggest strategies to manage this effectively.

Incomplete Work

If stories are left open because they are genuinely incomplete, it may indicate issues in planning, estimation, or execution. This can lead to a backlog of unfinished tasks, which might affect the overall project timeline and future sprints. Proper planning and estimation are crucial to ensure that sprints are manageable and achievable.

Team Agreement

It is essential that your team has a clear agreement on how to handle unfinished stories. If the team decides that it is acceptable to carry over stories, this should be part of your sprint review and planning process. Regularly reviewing and discussing these unfinished stories in meetings can help maintain transparency and keep the team aligned on goals and priorities.

Impact on Velocity

Carrying over stories can affect your team's velocity metrics, making it harder to predict future sprint capacity. Velocity is a key metric in Agile and Scrum, as it helps teams estimate how much work they can realistically commit to in future sprints. Discussing how to better estimate and plan sprint work can help mitigate the impact on velocity.

Reflection and Improvement

After each sprint, use the sprint review and retrospective meetings to discuss why stories were not completed. These discussions can provide valuable insights that can help improve future sprints. Continuously reflecting on the process and making adjustments as needed is crucial for long-term success.

Workflow Management

Consider using JIRA's features to manage stories that are incomplete. For example, you can move them to the next sprint or create a specific status for them to keep track of their progress. This ensures that incomplete tasks do not clutter the current sprint, making it easier to focus on the work at hand.

Flexibility vs. Perfection

Agile/Scrum purists may argue that the ideal is for the team to commit to and complete everything in a sprint. However, this can be challenging in practice. Teams often deal with unexpected requests or urgent customer needs. In such cases, a more flexible approach, known as a 'Scrumban' model, can be more effective. In this model, velocity remains consistent, but the team is responsive to incidents and customer needs.

Risks and Mitigations

The big risk with leaving stories uncompleted is the monitoring of the burndown on your project. Burndown charts help teams track progress and identify any potential issues early. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these charts can help ensure that the project stays on track.

Conclusion

While finishing sprints on JIRA without closing all stories may not be inherently bad, it should be managed thoughtfully to avoid hindering team performance or project progress. Regular reflection and adjustment of processes can help in managing this effectively.

In summary, a balanced approach is key. By establishing clear guidelines, regularly reviewing progress, and using the right tools, teams can navigate the complexities of incomplete stories and still achieve their goals.