Justin Francis Self-Portrait

Friday, November 16, 2007

Ordering work in an iteration

Recently, we have been in a velocity crunch at work. Our velocity plummeted 50% in a single iteration. The result of this (relevant to this post) is that we missed our target for the iteration by a big margin. Luckily, we were able to mitigate the impact and the stakeholders did not notice a huge discrepancy. This experience, did, however, get me thinking about the best way to order work in an iteration to minimize the risk of missing deadlines, and to minimize the impact on stakeholders when you do.

Ordering tactics to mitigate the risk of not meeting an iteration deadline:


  • Begin with the largest tickets

  • Begin with user-visible tickets

  • Begin with highest priority tickets

  • Begin with tickets whose component is least familiar



One should begin with the largest tickets because they are the ones that generally have the most unknowns in them. The estimate is the roughest, so the time they will take to complete is most uncertain. They are also more difficult, and so carry more risk.

By starting with user-visible tickets, the likelihood of having to push a stakeholder's ticket at the end of the iteration decreases. It is much easier politically to push a ticket that the stakeholder will not see for an iteration or two (or ever if it is some kind of internal ticket).

Starting with higher priority tickets reduces the risk that a critical ticket will need to be pushed at the end of the iteration because they have all been completed. Stakeholders are much more understanding when pushing a ticket that can wait an iteration than when pushing a critical bug fix.

Finally, if a developer has little experience with a certain component or domain (or the team if nobody has experience), they should not attempt to complete a ticket in that domain at the end of the iteration. It will take them longer than a developer with experience to do the same work. Having the developer make the attempt at the beginning of the iteration ensures extra time if needed, and extra help which is usually unavailable in the final two day sprint.

Following these guidelines has helped us to all but eliminate the need to push important features from an iteration due to lack of time, a welcome political victory for any agile development team.

33 comments:

Unknown said...

louboutin outlet online
red bottoms shoes
red bottom shoes for women
jimmy choo sale
red bottom shoes christian louboutin
louboutin sale
christian louboutin store
red bottoms shoes on sale
christian louboutin sale
authentic christian louboutin outlet
red sole shoes christian louboutin
cheap louboutin shoes
jimmy choo boots
christian louboutin shoes
jimmy choo outlet
jimmy choo outlet
red sole shoes christian louboutin
red bottoms shoes on sale
valentino bags
valentino sandals
valentino rockstud shoes
giuseppe zanotti boots
giuseppe zanotti sale
giuseppe shoes
valentino slingbacks
valentino pumps
valentino sneakers
valentino boots
Valentino Shoes Sale
valentino shoes

Unknown said...

polo ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet
goose outlet
snapbacks wholesale
abercrombie and fitch
uggs australia
louis vuitton
louis vuitton canada
jordans
longchamp outlet
20172.7wengdongdong

Unknown said...

I found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search...Its a good post..keep posting and update the information.
Anybody May Download

Louie said...

Do it anywhere, for a friend or in a large group of people. download music Google Chrome add-on TabSense helps manage your tabs in a streamlined, organized manner.

eat after read said...

There is a lot going for this little game: the graphics are simple and extremely cute, the music is awesome, everything just fits so nicely together. download software Address information and search results are provided through Google, results may vary.

Unknown said...

You can make a artistic effect with your photo like instargram. downlodable videos Trip Log records and saves the information within the application.

Unknown said...

When you've chosen your building blocks, you can move on to the creation screen. download software Plus: Import your friends through Facebook and share your travel pictures.

Unknown said...

You can now log in using 2-factor authentication directly from the app. downlodable games If so, the Miniatlas Asthma and Rhinitis is here to help you in your daily practice.

Unknown said...

- Child notes (positive & negative) can be added to performance catchup. mf doom mm food -Super cool photos were added so when you share your activities on Facebook and twitter you get an amazing design and get inspired.

millenium said...

Haspa Mobile bietet Ihnen eine bersichtliche Suche dieser Standorte. http://irex79.ru Add Hockeyapp: This is the best bug/crash tracking tool.

Unknown said...

We thank you for giving it a try, hope you enjoy it, and welcome your feedback. download activation codes You can select slides from different presentations and assemble them in a new file with a few clicks.

Olono said...

Thanks for sharing your solution on iteration

AMELIA77 said...

Zum Ausprobieren wurden jedoch einige Testkurse hinzugefgt. How to get it 0Flex your fleeting imagination with the Zen Board iPhone app.

Unknown said...

Database management utilities for archiving and importing library content. download keygens A classic science fiction show, which will delight and entertain you.

Unknown said...

michael kors outlet
ray bans
nike factory outlet
swarovski crystal
ralph lauren polo
links of london
longchamp outlet
cheap jerseys
coach factory outlet
oakley sunglasses
chanyuan2017.10.20

Unknown said...

Now we focus on more important things, mainly eachother. keygensonline.me "Whether youre blogging on the go or sharing images with friends, this is a great app for anybody.

Unknown said...

Select the desired ringtones and sync with your iPhone. downlodableshareware.top Paymate is operated by Flexi Online Pty Ltd ABN 42 154 594 199

millenium said...

Well be adding jokes regularly, so you can help make Music Jokes the best and funniest collection of music jokes available anywhere. downlodable videos HOZZSZLSOK: Lehetsged van a hozzszlsok olvassra, rsra.

chenlili said...

manchester united jersey
scarpe mbt
moncler
ugg boots
adidas football boots
nike air max
polo ralph
calvin klein
tory burch outlet
moncler schweiz
201712.2chenjinyan

AMELIA77 said...

Removed the "First click" limitation as per feedback from user reviews. http://downloadingstarted.top By default, this will display problems from 0 to 12 (i.

Anonymous said...

louboutin shoes
oakley sunglasses outlet
christian louboutin sale
air jordan retro
pandora charms outlet
michael kors outlet online
tory burch outlet online
moncler
cheap nike shoes
ralph lauren outlet online
mt1225

Rusram radjapov said...

This tool must be used in conjunction with the Microsoft CRM client CD. http://topdownloadtorrentonline.us Right now in the TCTRIPS ROME application there are:1.

chenlili said...

james harden shoes
michael kors outlet
jordan 1
vans shoes
nfl jerseys
nike free
nike tennis
tag heuer watches
nike free run
basketball shoes
20185.15chenjinyan

chenmeinv0 said...

timberland
england world cup jersey
parajumpers jackets
philipp plein outlet
nike roshe run
prada sunglasses
lacoste jeans
adidas outlet
michael kors
timberland boots
2018.5.24xukaimin

PalaPala said...

Pandora Charms
Pandora Charms Outlet
Jordan 11
Jordan 11 For Sale
Air Jordan 9
Pandora Jewelry
Air Max 270
Red Bottom Shoes For Women
Kyrie Irving Shoes
Jordan Retro 11
Latrice20181224

Hualala said...

Jordan 9
Air Jordan
Nike Air Max 270
Kyrie Shoes
Air Jordan 9
Pandora Charms Outlet
Jordan 4 Retro
Pandora Jewelry
Red Bottom Shoes For Women
Yeezy boost 350 v2
Paul20190105

Unknown said...

Are you blacklisted? Struggling to get a personal loan? Has your application been DECLINED due to Low Credit Score? Over COMMITTED? Affordability? But you know you can afford this loan. Loans Approved in 4hours, you can email us at opploansLLC@gmail.com

Names:
Occupation:
Loan Amount Needed:
Loan Duration:
Your Country:
Mobile NO:
Purpose Of Loan:
Email Address:
monthly income:
Sex:
Age:

Opportunity Financial, LLC

PalaPala said...

Red Bottom for Women
Jordan 11
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Jordan Retro 9
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Air Jordan 4
Jordan 9
Yeezy boost 350 v2
Kyrie Irving Shoes
Latrice20190311

PalaPala said...

Pandora Charms Outlet
Jordan 4
Yeezy boost
Pandora Jewelry
Jordan 4
Kyrie Irving Shoes
Red Bottom Shoes
Air Max 270
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Latrice20190406

Anonymous said...

Woori Casino: Welcome Bonus of up to NZ$100 + 100 Spins
Woori casino review ➤ ⭐ Find out all 카지노사이트 the important woori casino bonus codes ✓ 우리카지노 Get your 메리트카지노 free spins +100 Spins now!

tareares said...

blog here buy replica bags Clicking Here dolabuy fake see this page dolabuy Loewe

my house said...

read bag replica high quality this article high quality replica bags click this replica gucci

Anonymous said...

Cerro Pacific had orders Direct CNC for hundreds of risers that they'd not been in a position to} supply. Four bits and three hours later, the machining was complete. Bobby intends to make use of coloured epoxy to fill the pocketed areas, then paint the highest layers and letters.