Off-shore sprint process

Off-shore sprint process is not exactly same as onsite sprint process.  Variations are required to suit time difference and often a 24 hours turnaround time.  Let us discuss the individual components in variation

Sprint planning:

Due to time difference, off-shore and onsite sprint planning will be done during two different time zones, though combined sprint planning process is always recommended.  In case of two separate sessions, it is preferable to have off-shore sprint planning process after onsite sprint planning process.  Onsite planning should discuss any impediments team see on implementing these stories, which could be technical, functional or infrastructure.   Off-shore sprint team should discuss and document  any onsite support required for these stories and on importance on timeliness of help.

Off-shore daily scrum:

Apart usual scrum, it is scrum master’s(SM) responsibility to track timely delivery of onsite support (technical, functional or infrastructure) documented during sprint planning and change story status to yellow or red and escalate communication to appropriate stakeholders.

Scrum of Scrum with onsite Scrum master(s):

This is a very important item for success of offshore sprint.  Off-shore SM and onsite SM should talk together about the impediments and supports required for the team and assign the ownership for the delivery of items. This is important decision point for dropping a story from sprint.  Onsite Agile Catalyst will lead effort in getting these items resolved for the off-shore team.

Sprint Retrospect:

Apart from normal sprint retrospect, team should reflect on better ways of getting support from onsite stakeholders clearly document steps worked during current sprint.Off-shore sprint process