What is one goal of the Innovation and Planning (IP) iteration?

The goal of the Innovation and Planning (IP) iteration is to provide a period dedicated to activities that enhance the team’s capabilities and prepare for the upcoming work. Utilizing the built-in estimation buffer effectively addresses this purpose. In the context of the IP iteration, the estimation buffer allows teams to handle uncertainties and unexpected changes in scope, enabling them to focus on innovation, planning, and necessary adjustments without the pressure of normal iteration deadlines.

This approach gives teams the opportunity to assess their velocity, improve their product incrementally through innovative efforts, refine their backlog, and conduct retrospectives without the typical constraints of regular iterations. Thus, the estimation buffer is a critical resource during the IP iteration as it supports planning and innovation, ensuring that teams can adapt and respond to complexities in project execution.