What is velocity in Scrum?

Velocity in Scrum refers specifically to the amount of work a Scrum Team can complete during a single Sprint. This measurement is typically expressed in story points, completed user stories, or other quantifiable units that the team uses to estimate work. The importance of velocity lies in its ability to provide a tangible metric that helps teams assess their performance and plan future Sprints based on their historical capacity.

Understanding velocity allows Scrum Teams to create more accurate forecasts for what they can achieve in upcoming Sprints, making it a crucial tool for effective planning and communication with stakeholders. It reflects the work completed and provides insight into the team's capacity over time, helping to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

This definition aligns closely with the core principles of Scrum, emphasizing the iterative and incremental approach to delivering work and fostering continuous improvement within the team.