What constitutes a Timebox, anyway?

I use the term Timebox when the following applies:

1. I determined beforehand a particular point in time when it starts.
2. I determined beforehand a particular point in time when it ends.
3. I determined beforehand a particular activity that I will focus on.

A successful Timebox is when I start at the time that I had determined (1), end at the time that I had determined (2) and only focus on the task that I had determined (3). As Timebox considered, it is irrelevant what, how much and with what quality I produce.

There are alternatives to limit the time.

• We can restrict the scope: pick blueberries in the woods until the bucket is full.
• We can limit the quality: search the greengrocery until you have found a really good tomato.
• We can limit the cost: shop christmas gifts until your wallet is empty.

All four approaches have pros and cons.