"A spike solution is a prototype, working code that explores a possibility or solves key functionality of a specific project requirement, thus reducing the overall risk associated with the project."
A spike solution is a very simple program to explore potential solutions. It is a focused effort in solving a key project requirement. Build a system which only addresses the problem under examination and ignore all other concerns. Most spikes are not good enough to keep, so expect to throw it away. The goal is reducing the risk of a technical problem or increase the reliability of a user story's estimate.
Spike solutions is one of the Extreme Programming rules and practices.
