A task aimed at answering a question or gathering information, rather than at producing shippable product. Sometimes a user story is generated that cannot be well estimated until the development team does some actual work to resolve a technical question or a design problem. The solution is to create a “spike,” which is some work whose purpose is to provide the answer or solution.
Background of the Term
The term spike comes from Extreme Programming (XP), where “A spike solution is a very simple program to explore potential solutions.” XP guru Ward Cunningham describes how the term was coined on the C2.com wiki: “I would often ask Kent [Beck], ‘What is the simplest thing we can program that will convince us we are on the right track?’ Such stepping outside the difficulties at hand often led us to simpler and more compelling solutions. Kent dubbed this a Spike. I found the practice particularly useful while maintaining large frameworks.”
Further Learning
What’s a Spike, Who should enter it, and how to word it? by Andrew Fuqua (a short article)
https://www.leadingagile.com/2016/09/whats-a-spike-who-should-enter-it-how-to-word-it/
Define Spike
Spike Spiegel
Spike Jones
Spike Seasoning - Salt Free and Gluten Free - 1.9 oz. 4.5 out of 5 stars 440. 90 ($3.63/Ounce) Get it as soon as Thu, Apr 1. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Only 6 left in stock - order soon. More Buying Choices $2.57 (11 new offers) Saucony Men's Vendetta 3 Track Spikes. 43 synonyms and near synonyms of spike from the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, plus 18 antonyms and near antonyms. Find another word for spike.