BMAD-METHOD/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning

Sprint Planning Workflow

Overview

The sprint-planning workflow generates and manages the sprint status tracking file that serves as the single source of truth for Phase 4 implementation. It extracts all epics and stories from epic files and tracks their progress through the development lifecycle.

In Agile terminology, this workflow facilitates Sprint Planning or Sprint 0 Kickoff - the transition from planning/architecture into actual development execution.

Purpose

This workflow creates a sprint-status.yaml file that:

• Lists all epics, stories, and retrospectives in order
• Tracks the current status of each item
• Provides a clear view of what needs to be worked on next
• Ensures only one story is in progress at a time
• Maintains the development flow from backlog to done

When to Use

Run this workflow:

1. Initially - After Phase 3 (solutioning) is complete and epics are finalized
2. After epic context creation - To update epic status to 'contexted'
3. Periodically - To auto-detect newly created story files
4. For status checks - To see overall project progress

Status State Machine

Epic Flow

backlog → contexted

Story Flow

backlog → drafted → ready-for-dev → in-progress → review → done

Retrospective Flow

optional ↔ completed

Key Guidelines

1. Epic Context Recommended: Epics should be contexted before their stories can be drafted
2. Flexible Parallelism: Multiple stories can be in-progress based on team capacity
3. Sequential Default: Stories within an epic are typically worked in order, but parallel work is supported
4. Review Flow: Stories should go through review before done
5. Learning Transfer: SM typically drafts next story after previous is done, incorporating learnings

File Locations

Input Files

• Epic Files: {output_folder}/epic*.md or {output_folder}/epics.md
• Epic Context: {output_folder}/epic-{n}-context.md
• Story Files: {story_dir}/{epic}-{story}-{title}.md
  • Example: stories/1-1-user-authentication.md
• Story Context: {story_dir}/{epic}-{story}-{title}-context.md
  • Example: stories/1-1-user-authentication-context.md

Output File

• Status File: {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml

Usage by Agents

SM (Scrum Master) Agent

Tasks:
  - Check sprint-status.yaml for stories in 'done' status
  - Identify next 'backlog' story to draft
  - Run create-story workflow
  - Update status to 'drafted'
  - Create story context
  - Update status to 'ready-for-dev'

Developer Agent

Tasks:
  - Find stories with 'ready-for-dev' status
  - Update to 'in-progress' when starting
  - Implement the story
  - Update to 'review' when complete
  - Address review feedback
  - Update to 'done' after review

Test Architect

Tasks:
  - Monitor stories entering 'review'
  - Track epic progress
  - Identify when retrospectives are needed

Example Output

# Sprint Status
# Generated: 2025-01-20
# Project: MyPlantFamily

development_status:
  epic-1: contexted
  1-1-project-foundation: done
  1-2-app-shell: done
  1-3-user-authentication: in-progress
  1-4-plant-data-model: ready-for-dev
  1-5-add-plant-manual: drafted
  1-6-photo-identification: backlog
  epic-1-retrospective: optional

  epic-2: contexted
  2-1-personality-system: in-progress
  2-2-chat-interface: drafted
  2-3-llm-integration: backlog
  2-4-reminder-system: backlog
  epic-2-retrospective: optional

Integration with BMM Workflow

This workflow is part of Phase 4 (Implementation) and integrates with:

1. epic-tech-context - Creates technical context for epics
2. create-story - Drafts individual story files
3. story-context - Adds implementation context to stories
4. dev-story - Developer implements the story
5. code-review - SM reviews implementation
6. retrospective - Optional epic retrospective

Benefits

• Clear Visibility: Everyone knows what's being worked on
• Flexible Capacity: Supports both sequential and parallel work patterns
• Learning Transfer: SM can incorporate learnings when drafting next story
• Progress Tracking: Easy to see overall project status
• Automation Friendly: Simple YAML format for agent updates

Tips

1. Initial Generation: Run immediately after epics are finalized
2. Regular Updates: Agents should update status as they work
3. Manual Override: You can manually edit the file if needed
4. Backup First: The workflow backs up existing status before regenerating
5. Validation: The workflow validates legal status transitions