Planning by ROI. Hmmm. Isn’t that impractical? In an econometric way, yes. But you can still estimate the relative value of the capabilities / stories you’re planning for your scrum sprints. The point is – don’t look only at value – also look at costs. While “ROI” may be a […]
Agile / Prioritization / Product Management / Requirements / ROI / Software development
Posted on:
Plan Your Next Sprint By ROI: Part 1
You’ve got a giant backlog of user stories and product capabilities. How do you determine which stories to implement right now? By the estimated value of each story? Pick the ones the developers want to build next? How about picking the stories that maximize the ROI of the sprint? To […]
Business Analysis / Business Rules / Communication / Process Flow / Process Improvement / ROI
Posted on:
The Impact of a Hidden Decision
Business rules are often hidden in processes as hidden decisions. Once you discover that hidden decision, how do you communicate the impact of exposing and managing the decision?
Agile / Ishikawa Diagram / Product Management / Requirements / Requirements Models / Software development
Posted on:
Agile Product Management: Providing Context
Agile development methodologies succeed because they help development teams be as effective as possible. Development teams do not, however, work in complete isolation. The company they work for has a strategy. The company manages a portfolio of products, and targets a particular product at specific market problems. Within that context, […]
Business Analysis / Business Rules / Process Flow / Process Improvement / Requirements / Requirements gathering
Posted on:
Hidden Business Rule Example
A business process is not just a sequence of steps. A business process is a series of decisions and actions. Some decisions are obvious and can be actively managed. Some decisions are hidden, and until you discover them, you can’t manage or improve them. Here is a real-world example of […]
Product Management
Posted on:
Market Segmentation Example
A great product manager is market driven. Part of being market driven is understanding that not everyone in your market cares about the same things, even when apparently solving the same problems. This insight is useful in any product management, but check out the power of market segmentation when applied […]
Product Management / Slightly off-topic
Posted on:
Is the SaaS Market Broken, or Just Efficient?
Is SaaS a broken model, with integral flaws, doomed to failure in the next two years? Lawson Software’s CEO, Harry Debes, thinks it is. Perhaps the structural elements of the SaaS reality just break Debes’ business models.
Communication / Consulting / Project Management / Writing
Posted on:
Effective Status Reports
An effective status report is one that Instantly conveys the state of the project. Creates a minimum of overhead for the project team. Gets you help when you need it, and latitude when you don’t. Is fun / energizing to the author and the readers. An effective status report is […]
Agile / Product Management / Requirements gathering / ROI / Software development
Posted on:
Market Driven Competitive Advantage
Your strategy should be driven by the needs of the market. Becoming market-driven is critical to intentional product success. But it is not enough to understand your market. You have to sustain your understanding, and take advantage of it, competitively.