How do we manage our program flow?

The business question How do we manage our program flow ? allows features and user stories to be prioritized based on the methodology Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJ). Features are evaluated based on their cost of delay and estimated job size in story points to understand the duration of the feature. Relevant features can be moved to the next phase of the feature lifecycle. This business questions visualizes and manages the flow of features from ideation to analysis, implementation, and release through the continuous delivery pipeline.

Use the method that is most convenient for you:

  • In the left navigation panel, enter How do we manage our program flow? in the Search Navigation field.
  • In the left navigation panel, click Home. In the content area, go to the Business Questions page and click the tile for How do we manage our program flow?
  • In the left navigation panel, expand the sections Business Questions and Transformation and click How do we manage our program flow?

Program Backlog: Shows a data workbench of features with their user stories. Expand a feature to display its user stories below it. The dataset highlights values that are incomplete regarding the cost, cost of delay, and the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF). The Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) methodology is a prioritization method used in agile frameworks like Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to sequence work for maximum economic benefit.

Features of the type Business Feature provides business value directly to the customer and features of the type Enabler Feature is a technical functionality that supports the architectural runway to support upcoming business or technical needs. Navigate to the content area of a feature or user story in order to go to gather more information about it.

Program Kanban: Shows a Kanban-like matrix displaying features colored based on their feature type and positioned in lanes according to their status. Symbols on each feature indicates its estimated job size based on story points, order of WSJF, and the persons responsible for the feature. Drag a feature and move it to a different lane as needed. The lanes represent the following statuses:

  • Funnel: New feature under initial consideration.
  • Analyzing: Deeper assessment of feature for feasibility and impact.
  • Backlog: Feature is waiting to be prioritized and allocated resources.
  • Implementing: Feature is being worked on.
  • Releasing: Feature is ready to be tested and released.
  • Done: Feature is complete.

The Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) methodology is a prioritization method used in agile frameworks like Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to sequence work for maximum economic benefit. The methodology helps you to prioritize the tasks the deliver the most value in the shortest amount of time.

The WSJF is calculated by looking at the cost of delay including the indicators User - Business Value, Time Criticality, Risk Reduction - Opportunity Enable as well as Estimated Job Size (Story Points).

The higher the WSJF value, the greater is the benefit relative to the time required to implement the feature. Moving forward on a feature with a high WSJF value ensures that the high-value features are prioritized first, maximizing efficiency and business impact.

Go to the business question How do we manage our program flow? > Portfolio Backlog.

Click the ThreeDots_Black 3-dots button > Rate WSJF. A view opens where you can modify the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) by updating the values for the following:

  • User - Business Value: Evaluate the impact of delaying the realization of the epic in terms of the impact to the customer or the business due to potential issues like user preference, decreased business revenue, potential penalties, etc.
  • Time Criticality: Evaluate the impact of delaying the realization of the epic in terms of its criticality for the customer or business due to potential issues like missed deadlines and milestones, decrease in customer satisfaction, etc.
  • Risk Reduction - Opportunity Enable: Evaluate the impact of delaying the realization of the epic in terms of the reduction of risk to the delivery, access to new information, or the enablement of new business opportunities.
  • Refined Implementation Cost Forecast: The initial refined investment to fund the full implementation of the epic including updates to the estimated implementation cost.

The business question How do we manage our program flow? relies on data captured for features. Ensure that the Target Completion Date attribute is specified for each feature. Navigate to the content area of the feature and go to the Evaluation view and ensure that the indicators for Cost of Delay and Feature Cost Estimation are specified.

Go to the Data Quality page and resolve the issues to ensure that the data is complete.

Go to the Data Source page to review the features that are used to answer the business question. The data source is a list report and cannot be edited.