What is a sprint zero and how does it add value?

Avoid leaving the impression that a sprint zero is a simple test run of a team's process. While testings procedural activities can be valuable, the work selected for a sprint zero should directly add value to the product being developed.

A sprint zero is a sprint that occurs before a project officially begins. It has a small scope and is used to test assumptions made by the team and allow for modifications before sprint one occurs. I encourage teams to take on technical framework tasks or research spikes during this time. We hold daily scrum meetings and other ceremonies but often only include a couple of people from the team. We often use sprint zero to stand up the technical environment so that it is ready to go when we begin the first sprint. These activities add value because they help teams refine their process and provide the opportunity to complete setup tasks or research that can help facilitate success during the next sprints.