When does inspection occur in Scrum?

In Scrum, inspection is a fundamental element that occurs frequently throughout the process to ensure transparency and to provide opportunities to adapt the work based on current findings. The essence of Scrum emphasizes iterative progress, meaning that continuous inspection helps the team evaluate their progress and gain insight into the current state of the product and the project.

Choosing to inspect frequently, but without allowing it to interfere with the team's work is crucial. This balance enables the team to assess their progress and make necessary adjustments without causing disruptions that could hinder productivity. Regular inspection helps identify issues early, allowing for timely responses and adaptations, thereby supporting the Scrum principles of delivering valuable increments and fostering continuous improvement.

In contrast, inspecting only at the end of the Sprint would limit opportunities for feedback and corrections until the very end, which could lead to larger challenges that are harder to address. Daily inspection during the daily scrum is useful for assessing daily progress, but it is not the only time inspection occurs, as it should also happen during Sprint Review and other activities. Finally, delaying inspection until after the final release does not support the agile mindset of continuous improvement and responsiveness to change.