A timebox is a fixed, maximum period allotted to an activity. When the time is up, the activity ends and the team assesses what was achieved – rather than extending the deadline to finish everything planned. A sprint is a well-known example of a timebox.
Timeboxing forces prioritisation and creates a steady rhythm: because the time is fixed, scope flexes. It helps prevent work from expanding indefinitely and makes progress predictable.
Related: sprint, iteration, cadence.
Last updated: 4 July 2026 · By Tom, PMP-certified since 2004