HKSM

A mid-range planning effort that coordinates several sprints to achieve a specific release objective.

Key Points

• Connects sprint-level work to a clear release goal over multiple iterations.
• Uses team velocity and capacity to forecast scope and timing for the release.
• Surfaces cross-team dependencies, risks, and key milestones.
• Produces a high-level plan and criteria for release readiness (e.g., quality gates, DoD).

Example

A product team plans the next 4 two-week sprints to launch instant transfers. They forecast 120 story points based on historical velocity, prioritize the highest-value features, align with the API team for an integration dependency, set a target release window, and define success metrics and release criteria.

PMP Example Question

During a quarterly session, the team and stakeholders set a release goal, map dependencies across four sprints, and forecast scope using velocity. What activity are they performing?

1. Sprint Planning
2. Release Planning
3. Product Roadmapping
4. Daily Scrum

Correct Answer: B — Release Planning

Explanation: Release planning is a medium-term activity that aligns multiple sprints toward a defined release outcome, including forecasting, dependencies, and milestones.