Cadence

By Miranda Dulin

Published in Glossary

January 28, 2024

1 min read

Definition of Cadence

Cadence is a structured rhythm that guides event scheduling to ensure consistent delivery and progress.

Back of a vocabulary card for the term Cadence

Example Sentence

The cadence helped remind us to inspect and adapt.

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Significance

Agile practitioners should be familiar with the term “cadence” as it represents the rhythmic pace at which Agile teams perform their work, including Sprints, meetings, and various process-specific events. Cadence establishes a predictable and consistent schedule that helps organize the work process, sets expectations, and ensures regular progress checks and adaptations. It creates a structured environment where teams can focus on delivering value sustainably and efficiently, enhancing overall productivity and team morale. Understanding and maintaining a proper cadence is vital for Agile teams because it facilitates better planning, smoother workflows, and more effective communication. A well-established cadence enables teams to synchronize their efforts, manage workload, and deliver regular results. It also helps build stakeholder trust by providing a clear and consistent point for potential value delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an example of applying cadence?

An example of applying cadence would be adopting a standard two-week Sprint cycle in Scrum teams, where the team plans specific events like the Daily Scrum and Sprint Planning. The Daily Scrum occurs each day while the Team sets Sprint Planning for the first day of the Sprint. While a two-week cycle is popular among many teams, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each team should consider its unique requirements when choosing a cadence and be open to experimenting to find the most effective rhythm for their workflow.

What is the difference between cadence and velocity in Agile?

The difference between cadence and velocity in Agile is that cadence is a rhythm that establishes a timebox. Velocity is a metric that some teams will use to forecast which work items they can complete in that timebox.