When might a Sprint be abnormally terminated?

A Sprint may be abnormally terminated when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. This situation typically arises when significant changes in the business environment, market conditions, or stakeholder expectations occur, leading to the conclusion that the goal the team was working toward is no longer viable or relevant. Terminating the Sprint allows the team to pivot and realign their efforts with the current priorities and objectives of the organization.

In Scrum, maintaining a focused and relevant goal is crucial for maximizing value delivery. If the Sprint Goal is determined to be obsolete, it creates a scenario where continuing the Sprint may waste time and resources by pursuing a direction that no longer provides the intended benefits.

In contrast, other scenarios such as a team member becoming unavailable or new tasks being added do not warrant the abruption of the Sprint. Instead, these situations can often be managed through collaboration and adjustment within the existing framework. Additionally, terminating a Sprint during Sprint Planning is not a typical occurrence, as Sprint Planning is meant to define the work to be done rather than evaluate the viability of the Sprint itself.