When most teams step into sprint planning, the natural goal is to design a sprint they can complete. Some teams define success as achieving their sprint goal, while others focus on completing every backlog item they committed to. Both definitions sound reasonable but should teams aim to be “perfect” every sprint?
The truth is, success doesn’t always mean 100% completion. In fact, teams that finish everything they commit to in every sprint may actually be holding themselves back. Let’s explore why 70–80% completion is often a healthier and more effective benchmark for Scrum teams.
Why Finishing Everything Every Sprint Isn’t Always a Win?
On the surface, consistently achieving 100% of sprint commitments seems like a sign of excellence. But in reality, it can signal something else:
- Teams may only pick the safest backlog items, avoiding ambitious goals.
- To avoid upsetting stakeholders, they under-promise and over-deliver.
- Sticking to easy tasks can prevent experimentation and learning.
This “safe” approach contradicts the Agile mindset, which thrives on adaptability, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Agile isn’t about perfection, it’s about predictability and progress.
70–80% Success Rule
A more sustainable approach is to aim for success 70–80% of the time. This means the team completes the majority of their sprint goals consistently, while leaving room for innovation, challenges, and learning opportunities. Here’s why the 70–80% rule works so well:
- At this rate, product owners and stakeholders can trust that the team delivers reliably without treating sprint plans as rigid contracts.
- Teams are more likely to bring in backlog items that stretch their abilities.
- With perfection off the table, sprint planning sessions become faster and more effective.
- Teams can experiment with new tools, practices, or complex stories without fear of failure.
Think of it like this: If you tell a friend you’ll meet for dinner at 6 p.m., you’ll likely make it on time. But you won’t leave home two hours early just in case every possible obstacle happens like traffic, flat tire, train crossing, and construction detour. Sprint planning is the same: you plan realistically, not excessively cautiously.
When a Guarantee Is Necessary?
Of course, some situations require guaranteed delivery. For example, a compliance deadline, a client demo, or a product launch may leave no room for uncertainty. In such cases, Scrum teams have two viable options:
- Select backlog items the team is highly confident about completing. Stretch items are left out.
- Commit firmly to core items while labeling additional ones as optional. If the team has extra capacity, they can complete them; if not, no trust is broken.
- This approach balances stakeholder confidence with team agility.
What Does This Means for Scrum Professionals?
Understanding this balance is critical for anyone pursuing a career as a Scrum Master or Agile practitioner. It’s not just about running meetings—it’s about creating a culture of predictability, adaptability, and stakeholder trust.
This is exactly what leading institutes like HelloSM, regarded as the best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad and among the top training institutes in India, emphasize in their training programs. By mastering concepts like sprint planning success rates, you’re preparing for real-world challenges, not just textbook scenarios.
Why Scrum Certification Matters?
In today’s competitive job market, having a Scrum certification with 2 day training is not enough. You should look out for deep training techniques, real time projects and understanding. It would take as long as 90 days. This will be from the best Scrum training institute in India like HelloSM can set you apart. It validates that you not only understand the mechanics of Scrum but also the mindset behind it.
For example, when you learn that a team should not always aim for 100% completion, you’re better equipped to explain Agile principles to stakeholders, foster healthier team dynamics, and guide organizations toward true agility.
And here’s the best part: the career benefits are huge. The salary of a Scrum Master in India is steadily rising, with certified professionals with more knowledge with HelloSM commanding higher pay packages and more leadership opportunities. With the right training from the institute, you gain the skills to back it up in practice.
Sprint success shouldn’t be defined by 100% completion every time. Instead, aiming for 70–80% success in sprint planning creates a healthier balance of predictability and ambition. This approach allows teams to grow, innovate, and remain flexible, key traits in any Agile environment.
For professionals, learning this balance through a Scrum certification at a reputed institute like HelloSM, widely regarded as one of the best Scrum training institutes in Hyderabad and among the top training institutes in India, can open doors to career growth, recognition, and attractive salaries.
