Why Look at This
In general, we want to maximize the value delivered. The best way to do this is to work on delivering what will provide the greatest value. This also enables working on the smallest item. This is one of the reasons using Minimum Business Increments (MBIs) is so important. When items larger than an MBI are worked on, the less important work delays the delivery of the more important work.
Symptoms That Your Work Items Are Not Totally Highest Value
Not all of the requirements being worked on are needed for value to be delivered
No conversations about what can be delivered earlier have taken place.
What Causes This
Common causes are:
- Not using minimum Business Increments
- Not developing in small increments
What We Want To Achieve
Using the appropriate blend of MVPs and MBIs. MVPs when new products are being investigated, MBIs when existing ones are being extended.
Common Solutions
- Use MBIs to have smaller batches coming in
Other Simplicity Factors That Are Directly Related To This One
- The value density of the items being worked on
- Batch size of work
- Effectiveness/efficiency of the value streams
- Visibility of work and workflow
- How workload relates to capacity
- A minimal number of interruptions from outside the value stream
- The rate at which we get feedback
- Quality of the product
- The value creation structure of the organization