PI Planning Ceremony
1. Introduction (For Clients & Partners)
Our PI Planning Ceremony is a critical event that takes place two weeks before the end of each quarter. During this session, cross-functional teams come together to review the backlog, estimate work, and commit to a plan for the upcoming program increment (PI). This ceremony provides clarity on our strategic direction and ensures that our plans are aligned with business goals and customer needs.
2. Who Is Involved
| Role | Involvement | Benefit for You |
|---|---|---|
| Product Manager | Guides the session, prioritizing features and setting strategic objectives. | Ensures that planned work aligns with business goals and priorities. |
| Scrum Master / Facilitator | Keeps the session on track and manages time, ensuring that all teams are aligned. | Facilitates smooth execution and effective collaboration. |
| Development Teams | Break out into groups to estimate work, identify dependencies, and draft individual plans. | Provides realistic insights on timelines and resource requirements. |
| Stakeholders | Participate to offer business context and validate priorities. | Ensures that market trends and customer needs are directly addressed. |
| QA/Testing Team | Offers input on testing requirements and quality assurance measures. | Helps incorporate quality considerations early in the planning process. |
3. Process Flow / Diagram
Below is an overview of the PI Planning Ceremony process with double quotes for the Mermaid labels:
- Preparation: Prior to the session, teams review the feature backlog and relevant data.
- Review: The session kicks off with a comprehensive review of the backlog and strategic priorities.
- Breakout Sessions: Teams split into groups to estimate effort, discuss dependencies, and draft individual plans.
- Draft Plan Creation: A consolidated draft plan is assembled from the breakout sessions.
- Approval: The plan is discussed; if approved, it moves forward for final commitment. If not, it is revised and iterated.
- Commitment & Review: The final plan is committed to, followed by a post-PI review to gather feedback and plan improvements.
4. FAQ
Q1: What is the purpose of the PI Planning Ceremony?
A1: It aligns cross-functional teams and sets a clear, actionable plan for the upcoming program increment.
Q2: Who participates in the PI Planning Ceremony?
A2: Product Managers, Scrum Masters, Development Teams, Stakeholders, and the QA/Testing Team all participate.
Q3: How long does the PI Planning session last?
A3: Typically, the session spans 1-2 days, depending on the complexity and scope of the planned work.
Q4: What happens if the plan is not approved during the session?
A4: The plan is re-evaluated and adjusted through iterative discussions until consensus is reached.
5. Next Steps and Additional Resources
- Feature Lifecycle Overview: Learn more about how features progress from idea to delivery by visiting our Feature Lifecycle page.
- Integration into the Roadmap: See how accepted features are aligned with our strategic goals on the Integration into the Roadmap page.
- Backlog Management: Discover our process for maintaining and prioritizing the backlog on the Backlog Management page.
- Contact Us: For further questions or urgent concerns, please reach out via contact support or use our website's chat feature.