Facilitated by Toks B.

In fast-moving environments, release planning and forecasting give Agile teams the structure they need to deliver value predictably while staying flexible.

Our Release Planning & Forecasting in Agile session this September will provide hands-on strategies to balance adaptability and accountability, helping you align delivery timelines with business goals.

Why Release Planning Matters

Effective release planning helps teams:

• Create realistic timelines for incremental value delivery

• Prioritize high-impact features based on business goals

• Align stakeholders on what will be released and when

• Maintain transparency even as scope evolves

Scrum.org explains how release planning supports transparency.

Core Elements of Agile Release Planning

1. Define Goals and Outcomes

Start by clarifying what the release is meant to achieve. Use product vision and business objectives to guide planning discussions.

2. Prioritize Features and Stories

Collaborate with stakeholders to rank backlog items by value and risk. Product management tools like Productboard can help visualize priorities.

3. Estimate and Forecast

Combine velocity trends with story point estimates to forecast delivery dates. For distributed teams, collaborative platforms like Miro make estimation exercises smoother.

4. Review and Adjust Frequently

Revisit your plan after each sprint or significant change. As Atlassian’s Agile Coach points out, flexibility ensures plans remain relevant.

Forecasting Best Practices

• Leverage Historical Data: Use past performance metrics to build realistic forecasts.

• Include Risk Buffers: Account for uncertainties in scope or team availability.

• Communicate Clearly: Share forecasts in a way stakeholders understand, using burn-up charts or release roadmaps.

For deeper insights, Mountain Goat Software provides excellent guidance on Agile forecasting.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Planning too far ahead without flexibility

• Treating forecasts as rigid commitments

• Failing to incorporate stakeholder feedback

A practical guide to overcoming these pitfalls is available from the Agile Alliance.

Preparing for the Session

1. Bring examples of your current release planning challenges.

2. Familiarize yourself with your team’s historical velocity data.

3. Explore lightweight forecasting tools or templates to share with peers.

Join our Release Planning & Forecasting in Agile event this September to learn how to create accurate yet adaptable release strategies.

Register now

To gain practical skills that will help you plan confidently while staying true to Agile principles.