How often should the Scrum Team inspect their progress towards the Sprint Goal?

The Scrum Team should inspect their progress towards the Sprint Goal at multiple key points during the Scrum process, making the choice that encompasses all these points the correct one.

During the Daily Scrum, team members collectively assess their progress and any impediments affecting their ability to meet the Sprint Goal. This daily inspection allows for quick adjustments and helps keep the team aligned and focused.

In the Sprint Retrospective, the team reflects not only on the process but also on how effectively they achieved the Sprint Goal, identifying areas of improvement for future Sprints. This broader perspective helps the team to continuously improve their approach to achieving goals.

After each Sprint, during the Sprint Review, the Scrum Team inspects the overall work completed and demonstrates it to stakeholders, discussing how well they met the Sprint Goal and gathering feedback for future Sprints. This is a fundamental part of the inspect-and-adapt cycle central to Scrum.

By incorporating inspection at these various stages, the Scrum Team ensures a comprehensive understanding of their progress and fosters a culture of transparency and improvement, leading to better outcomes in future Sprints.