What is a timebox?

A timebox is a fixed period of time during which a specific activity or task is performed. This period is typically defined in advance and is used to help manage and prioritize work. Timeboxing is often used in agile project management methodologies like Scrum and Kanban to help teams focus on specific tasks and deliverables within a set timeframe. By setting a timebox, teams can increase their productivity and focus, and ensure that they are making progress towards their goals.

In the context of specific Agile methodologies, the timebox takes on unique terminology. In Scrum, the timebox is referred to as a "sprint". A sprint is a predetermined duration, often between one to four weeks, during which a certain set of tasks must be completed. This encourages the team to work intensively and focus on a subset of the project's overall goals, allowing them to make steady progress in manageable stages.

Similarly, in Extreme Programming (XP), another Agile methodology, this timebox is known as an "iteration". Iterations in XP are also defined periods during which teams undertake and complete specific work. The use of the term "iteration" underscores the cyclical nature of this work process: the team completes a set of tasks, reviews their work, learns from it, plans the next set of tasks, and then commences the process anew.

In this way, whether referred to as a sprint or an iteration, these timebox approaches allow teams to deliver work in increments, continually reassess and adapt their planning based on feedback and learning, and effectively manage their project's progression.