The sprint started with a brainstorming session where we collected all the ideas and areas the participants brought into three core areas. They have been tentatively named Cataloging and Indexing, Instrumentation and Benchmarking. We then proceeded to collect input on these three areas by having everybody write down whatever came to mind on post-its and we just stuck them together on the wall.

After lunch we split up into three groups where all the input for each topic was processed. The group session was limited to just over an hour, as the goal was not to jump into (anf get lost in) an exhaustive discussion of all aspects and details but rather to come up with specific, actionable proposals which would then be put to the entire sprint in a short presentation, where we collectively decided on what (partially already how) we were going to work on for the remainder of the sprint.

This approach turned out to be a really good idea for multiple reasons. For one, we collectively decided on what we would concentrate on. Nobody had to feel left out. By limiting the first session to an hour and demanding a short presentation from each group to the entire sprint, we avoid rushing into dead ends. And lastly, everybody was on the same picture from the very start.

The three presentations then provided each group with further feedback and by the time they were over everybody was ready to get some actual work done.

We ended day one by rewarding ourselves with a big dinner of real authentic English food (i.e. Indian curry) in an old converted bank.