← Back to Glossary
DeliveryS

Spike

Definition

A time-boxed research or investigation task in Agile development, used to answer a question or resolve uncertainty before committing to a full implementation. Spikes reduce technical and design risk by allocating focused time to explore unknowns. PMs add spikes to the backlog when the team lacks the information needed to estimate or plan a piece of work confidently.

Why It Matters for Product Managers

Understanding spike is critical for product managers because it directly influences how teams prioritize work, measure progress, and deliver value to users. PMs add spikes to the backlog when the team lacks the information needed to estimate or plan a piece of work confidently. Without a clear grasp of this concept, PMs risk making decisions based on assumptions rather than evidence, which can lead to wasted engineering effort and missed market opportunities.

How It Works in Practice

Engineering and product teams leverage this practice by integrating it into their regular workflow:

  • Adopt — Agree as a team on how and when to apply this practice, making it an explicit part of the team's working agreement.
  • Execute — Follow through consistently, treating the practice as a non-negotiable part of how the team operates.
  • Inspect — Regularly evaluate whether the practice is delivering the expected benefits and surface any friction.
  • Adapt — Adjust the approach based on what the team learns, keeping what works and discarding what does not.

    • The value of spike compounds over time. Teams that commit to it consistently see improvements in velocity, quality, and cross-functional alignment.

    Common Pitfalls

  • Treating the practice as overhead rather than recognizing the quality and velocity benefits it provides.
  • Implementing the process without buy-in from the full cross-functional team.
  • Letting the process become rigid and bureaucratic instead of adapting it as the team learns and grows.

    • Related Concepts

    To build a more complete picture, explore these related concepts: Backlog, Sprint, Technical Debt, and Prototype. Each connects to this term and together they form a toolkit that product managers draw on daily.

    Related Terms

    BacklogSprintTechnical DebtPrototype

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is spike in product management?+
    A time-boxed research or investigation task in Agile development, used to answer a question or resolve uncertainty before committing to a full implementation. Product managers use this concept to make more informed decisions and deliver better outcomes for users and the business.
    Why is spike important for product teams?+
    Spike is important because it provides structure and alignment that enable teams to ship faster, reduce waste, and maintain quality. Teams that adopt this practice consistently see improvements in collaboration, predictability, and user satisfaction.
    ← PreviousShape UpNext →Sprint

    Explore More PM Terms

    Browse our complete glossary of 100+ product management terms.

    Full GlossaryExplore Frameworks