Glossary of Terms

Owned by Joshua Addison
Last updated: May 24, 2024
6 min read

Acceptance Criteria

Definition

Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions that software must meet in order to be accepted by a customer or stakeholder.

And how are these conditions decided?

It’s all up to the product owner. They need to determine whether the feature is doing what the users want it to do (user story).

Synonyms

Client accepted

Definition of Done (DoD)

Agile Software Development

Definition

Agile Software Development is a project management technique that allows developers to create a working software model in just a few weeks.

Wait, isn’t this too fast? How is this possible?

An Agile team breaks down in their project into smaller development cycles called iterations or sprints.

At the end of the iteration, the Agile team is able to deliver working software with just the essential features. Users give their feedback and suggestions, and the Agile team includes it in future iterations, like us!

This cycle continues until you’ve created a final software that delights your customers.

Over the years, it has split into different frameworks and methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and XP. 

Just like how some prefer cereal, while others like bacon and eggs for breakfast, different teams have different tastes when it comes to the Agile framework!

Synonyms

Agile Software Management, Agile project management, Agile methodology, Agile method, Agile approach, Agile way

Backlog

Definition

It’s a list of new product features, updates, bug fixes, etc. that are required by the user.

At the start of every iteration, the product owner decides which backlog items the team needs to work on. After every iteration, the backlog is regularly updated with user suggestions and new features. 

Synonyms

Product backlog, sprint backlog

Backlog Refinement

Definition

It’s a Scrum meeting where the Scrum team organizes the backlog to make sure it’s ready for the next sprint or iteration. In other words, it’s like spring cleaning… but for Scrum teams!

It is normally held at the end of the sprint. 

Here’s what the team does during this meeting: 

  • Removes unnecessary user stories

  • Creates new user stories based on user feedback

  • Prioritizes features that must be included in the next sprint

Synonyms

Backlog grooming

Daily Scrum

Definition

It’s a daily meeting usually hosted by the Scrum master. Every morning, the Scrum team gets together for 15 minutes to discuss their day ahead. 

Each member briefly talks about the following topics:

  • What they plan to do today

  • What they did yesterday

  • Issues they have encountered

The Scrum master steps up to solve any impediments the Scrum team might have.

Note: Scrum team members should be standing up for the entire duration of this Scrum meeting.

Yes, Keanu! 

It keeps the team focused and alert during this short Scrum meeting.

Synonyms

Daily standup, Daily Scrum meeting

Epics

Definition

An epic is a big idea or feature that can be broken down into smaller user stories. Much like how large ‘epics’ like Lord of the Rings are split into 3 books.

For example: an epic called ‘Improve Mobile UI’ can consist of 3 user stories: ‘Add mobile Shopping Cart’, ‘Optimize Speed’, and ‘Consistent Font’. 

Each user story, in turn, can be broken into manageable tasks. 

Because of their size, epics are delivered over multiple iterations. 

Synonyms

Epic stories

Iteration

Definition

It’s a period of time in which an Agile team needs to develop working software. An iteration generally lasts for around 2-4 weeks for Kanban and Scrum teams.

Synonyms

Sprint, timebox

Product Manager

Definition

A product manager assists the Agile team with the development process from start to finish. 

Their main responsibilities include:

  • dealing with problems in the development process

  • ensuring the team meets project deadlines

  • collaborating with other departments of the company like sales, marketing and, customer service

Note: Product manager and Product owner are not interchangeable Agile terms. 

Synonyms

Project manager

Product Owner

Definition

They are the key members of an Agile or Scrum team.

They decide the vision and features of the final software, but the features are not chosen on a whim!

They carefully understand the customer’s needs and requirements and add those items to the product backlog.

But that’s not all!

They also receive feedback from the customers and relay it to the development team.

Synonyms

None

Refactoring

Definition

Refactoring is an extreme programming practice. 

Here Agile software development teams ‘clean up’ the code by:

  • Removing redundant pieces of code

  • Edit out unnecessary functions

The result is a simpler code that could be understood by any developer.

Note: Refactoring doesn’t change how the code works; it just improves its internal structure and architecture.

Synonyms

Restructuring

Scrum

Definition

Scrum is an Agile methodology in which a team works in short bursts of work ranging from 2-4 weeks, called sprints. At the end of the sprint, they deliver the product to the customers, and in turn, the customers give the developers their feedback.

What goes on in a Scrum sprint?

A Scrum team sets a rigorous plan for the sprint, so everyone knows what they have to do. Moreover, teams host regular Scrum meetings in order to manage processes within the sprint.

Synonyms

Scrum project management

Scrum Meeting

Definition

A Scrum meeting is an essential part of the Scrum framework. Without them, the sprint would have no structure or project plan in place! 

There are five types of Scrum meetings that occur during the sprint.

Each Scrum meeting enables the whole team to do important sprint tasks like:

Synonyms 

Scrum ceremonies, Agile ceremonies

Scrum Ream

Definition

It’s a cross-functional team of 5-10 individuals with different skill sets ranging from graphic design, UX, coding, etc. They work together to develop a product under the Scrum framework. 

Each Scrum team usually contains 3 key roles:

Synonyms

None

Sprint

Definition

It’s another term for an iteration. 

However, sprint is a Scrum term and is usually a phrase used by Scrum teams. 

Another difference between the two is that sprints maintain a uniform length (2-4 weeks) during the Agile development process. Whereas, iterations can have varying lengths, depending on the nature of the work.

Synonyms

Timebox, iterations

Sprint Planning 

Definition

Sprint planning is a Scrum meeting where the Scrum team decides the work they need to do during the sprint. 

This includes picking up items (like user stories) from the sprint backlog and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Note: A good sprint planning meeting often guarantees a successful sprint.

Synonyms

Sprint planning meeting, Agile planning meeting

Sprint Retrospective

Definition

A sprint retrospective is a Scrum meeting where the Scrum team analyzes their performance, at the end of the sprint. 

The team uses Agile metrics, charts, and reports to see where they excel and where they need to improve.

Synonyms

Retrospective meeting

Sprint Review

Definition

A sprint review is a Scrum meeting where the Scrum team demonstrates a working software model to the stakeholders. 

Along with the product demo, the Scrum team prepares a presentation that outlines the new features added, bug fixes, and other changes.

At the end of the review, the stakeholder provides valuable feedback, which is implemented in the next sprint. 

Synonyms

Sprint review meeting

Stakeholder

Definition

It’s a term that refers to anyone outside of the Agile team who is connected to the project. It could be an investor, account manager, sales team, or the client.

Synonyms

None

Story Points

Definition

It’s a measure of effort that your team would need to complete project tasks (user story).

How are they calculated?

The time taken to complete the simplest user story is taken as the baseline and is given 1 point. Other user stories are assigned story points proportional to the baseline. 

For example, if a feature that takes 2 hours to develop is given 1 point, then a feature that takes 4 hours receives 2 points.

Synonyms

None

User Story

Definition

It’s a brief description of a specific product feature or a function that customers would find helpful. 

A user story looks something like this: 

‘As (user name/type), I want to (do a thing), so I can (achieve a goal).

For example: 

Let’s say you’re tasked with developing an app for Batman!.

So a sample user story would be like:

‘As Bruce Wayne, I want to be able to get a ‘Bat Signal’ notification on my app, so I can save the day.’

During the sprint planning meeting, the product owner is responsible for breaking down a product backlog item into different user stories.

Synonyms

User goals