Agile in a Flash 16

Reach Consensus on Story Priority – The Idea
Agile in a Flash by Jeff Langr and Tim Ottinger (card #16)


> Simple Triage Rule
> Covey’s quadrants
> Value first
> Risk first
> Greatest good to greatest number
> Fixed-length queue
> Bargain
> Alphabetical


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Compose a simple triage rule, such as bugs before features or system integrity before functionality.


In First Things First, Covey et al. suggest mapping significance vs. urgency in quadrants. Do significant urgent work first, followed by significant nonurgent work.


Maximize return by doing items of highest value first or minimize risk by doing tasks with greatest risk first. Alternatively, prefer tasks that offer the greatest good to the greatest number.


Work in a small fixed-length queue of tasks (based on velocity). If only three things can be done, which are the best three to do? What if it is only one?


Create consensus with a bargaining system. Give stakeholders each three votes per iteration. Allow multiple votes per story, vote trading, and deal making.


Implement stories alphabetically. It is arbitrary, even silly, but is still better than being blocked by indecision.


Remind all stakeholders that this is an agile work system, so prioritization is never final. It can be revisited and revised before each iteration.


Civilization World Wonder quote: "The temple is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of."

–Antonio da Magdalena