---
title: How do story points and velocity help in planning and forecasting within a Scrum Team?
description: "As a [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) accumulates data on how many story points they complete in each Sprint (their [Velocity](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/velocity/)), they gain a powerful tool for future planning. By understanding their average [Velocity](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/velocity/) over several Sprints, teams can [Forecast](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/forecast/) their capacity for…"
url: "https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/docs/how-do-story-points-and-velocity-help-in-planning-and-forecasting-within-a-scrum-team/"
updated: "2024-12-19"
category: Good Practices / Story Points
---

# How do story points and velocity help in planning and forecasting within a Scrum Team?

As a [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) accumulates data on how many story points they complete in each Sprint (their [Velocity](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/velocity/)), they gain a powerful tool for future planning. By understanding their average [Velocity](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/velocity/) over several Sprints, teams can [Forecast](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/forecast/) their capacity for upcoming Sprints. This understanding helps in setting realistic goals and managing workload more effectively.

Product Owners can also use this data as a basis for [Release](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/release/) planning and predicting progress towards milestone dates. With a clearer picture of the team's [Velocity](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/velocity/), Product Owners can make more informed decisions about scheduling, resource allocation, and [Project](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/project/) timelines. This predictive capability enhances the overall planning process, making it more strategic and aligned with the team's actual performance.