When should a Sprint Goal be established?

The Sprint Goal should be established during Sprint Planning. This is the session where the Scrum Team collaborates to define what the focus of the upcoming Sprint will be. The goal provides a clear direction and purpose for the team, aligning their efforts towards a common objective, which helps in maintaining focus throughout the Sprint.

Establishing the Sprint Goal during this time allows the team to clarify the value they aim to deliver and ensures that all team members understand the priorities. It sets the tone for the Sprint, guiding the selection and execution of Product Backlog items. By doing so at the beginning of the Sprint, the team can evaluate their progress against this goal during the Daily Scrums and make any necessary adjustments to their work as it proceeds.

During the Review meeting and at the end of the Sprint, the focus is primarily on evaluating the work completed and determining next steps, rather than on establishing goals. Additionally, after the Daily Scrums would not provide the necessary context for a goal, as the team has already begun their work by that point. Therefore, the correct timing for establishing the Sprint Goal is during Sprint Planning, facilitating focus and collaboration from the very start of the Sprint.