Scope
Defining Project Scope Clearly defining the scope of a project upfront is critical to avoiding cost and schedule overruns down the road. An unclear or poorly defined scope often leads to scope creep, unexpected challenges, and the need for additional time and budget to complete the agreed upon deliverables. There are several key techniques project…
Defining the Problem: Finding the Optimal Level of Abstraction Software requirements exist on a spectrum from high-level user needs to detailed technical specifications. On one end, user stories capture requested functionality in an agile, user-centric way. On the other, technical specs thoroughly define system behavior for implementation. Where along this spectrum of abstraction should requirements…
The Problem: Why Identifying Value and Viewpoints Matters When Decomposing Epics Decomposing epics into smaller, more manageable user stories is a critical part of agile software development. However, if not done thoughtfully with clear goals in mind, this process can lead to fragmented delivery of value to users and disjointed products that fail to meet…
The Core Problem of Missing Stakeholder Perspectives Developing software without direct input from end users leads to products that fail to address user needs. Lacking perspectives from target demographics creates gaps in understanding that manifest in frustrating user experiences. Surfacing pain points requires engagement with stakeholders. When end user access is constrained, developers miss qualitative…
Understanding Users in Non-User Facing Projects Non-user facing projects, such as infrastructure initiatives or back-end systems development, often do not have clearly defined end-users providing direct input and feedback. However, properly identifying users and crafting user stories is still a critical component of delivering maximum value. When direct access to users is limited, product teams…
Understanding Users in Non-User Facing Projects Non-user facing projects, such as infrastructure initiatives or back-end systems development, often do not have clearly defined end-users providing direct input and feedback. However, properly identifying users and crafting user stories is still a critical component of delivering maximum value. When direct access to users is limited, product teams…
The Challenge of Aligning SLAs and Agile Service level agreements (SLAs) define expected service performance metrics like uptime percentages, response times, or feature release cycles. They codify the service quality customers can expect. However, traditional SLAs often struggle to align with modern agile software development processes which emphasize rapid iterations and fluid priorities. Agile methods…
Defining Scope Creep Scope creep refers to the continuous or uncontrolled growth in a project’s scope that was not originally planned. It happens when additional features or requirements are added without adjusting the schedule or budget accordingly. What is scope creep? Scope creep is the uncontrolled changes in a project’s scope. It involves uncontrolled changes…
The Balancing Act of Innovation and Scope Control Managing scope creep while enabling innovation is a delicate balancing act that project managers must perfect. Uncontrolled scope expansion can negatively impact budget, schedule, and resource allocation, while overzealous limiting of new ideas hinders opportunities to improve project outcomes. The key is aligning the project’s overarching vision…
Defining the Scope Creep Problem Scope creep refers to the tendency for project scope to expand over time beyond the original defined requirements. This manifests in requests for additional features, tweaks, enhancements that go beyond the initial vision. While some scope expansion is expected, uncontrolled scope creep leads to missed deadlines, bloated products, and failure…
