Ohjelmakaudet

Ohjelmakaudet is a Finnish term used in the software industry to describe time-boxed development periods within a project or product lifecycle. Each kausi aims to deliver a defined set of features or improvements within a fixed timeframe, after which results are reviewed and plans adjusted.

Etymology: "ohjelma" means program or software, and "kaudet" means periods or cycles. The term is common in Finnish IT organizations and in education when programming coursework or capstone projects are organized into distinct periods.

Typical structure: a kausi begins with planning, where backlog items are selected and priorities set; followed by execution, testing, and integration; and ends with a review or demo and a retrospective. Durations vary—from short two to four week sprints to longer multi-month cycles—depending on the chosen methodology and organizational needs. Metrics such as velocity, completion rate, and quality indicators are commonly tracked.

Relation to methodologies and challenges: In agile contexts ohjelmakaudet resemble sprints or iterations, while in larger programs they may map to program increments or release trains. They support iterative delivery and risk management but require disciplined backlog management, clear acceptance criteria, and strong cross-team coordination to prevent scope creep and misalignment with business goals.