This document discusses how to adopt a flexible scope when planning projects. It recommends following principles of variation, survivability, and selection. Variation means seeking out new ideas and trying new things on a small scale. Survivability means only trying new things that won't cause major issues if they fail. Selection means getting feedback and learning from mistakes. The document provides examples of impact maps and story maps that can help plan projects while allowing for flexibility.

1. How I learned to stop worrying
and to love flexible scope
Gojko Adzic (@gojkoadzic)
Christian Hassa (@chrishassa)

2. 500
initial plan
SP left release
SP total release
400
SP left initial
300
200
100
0
0
-100
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

3. As a sales manager
 In order to monitor
inventory
 I want …. report


5. http://blogs.coldfusion.com/assets/content/roadmap/ColdFusion%20RoadMap.pdf

6. variation: seek out new ides and
try new things
survivability: when trying
something new, do it on a scale
where failure is survivable
selection: seek out feedback
and learn from your mistakes
as you go along
“Palchinsky Principles” from Adapt, Tim Harford

9. http://blogs.coldfusion.com/assets/content/roadmap/ColdFusion%20RoadMap.pdf

10. As a sales manager
 In order to monitor
inventory
 I want …. report


11. variation: seek out new ides and
try new things
survivability: when trying
something new, do it on a scale
where failure is survivable
selection: seek out feedback
and learn from your mistakes
as you go along
“Palchinsky Principles” from Adapt, Tim Harford

12. 
In order to monitor
inventory

13. 
In order to monitor
inventory faster

17. Impact Maps
Increase peak sales
Goal
Mobile users
Actors
Impacts
Buy more
online
Deliverables
Mobile
website

18. Increase yearly revenue by 3%
Goal
Keep market share in
blockbuster concerts
Mobile users
Actors
Impacts
Deliverables
Buy more
online
One-click
blockbuster
Buy without
call center
SMS
ordering
Mobile
website
Increase peak sales
Call center
Sell faster
Stop
cross-selling

19. Influence
Increase yearly revenue by 3%
Goal
Keep market share in
blockbuster concerts
Mobile users
Actors
Impacts
Deliverables
Buy more
online
One-click
blockbuster
Buy without
call center
SMS
ordering
Mobile
website
Increase peak sales
Call center
Sell faster
Stop
cross-selling
Control

20. Story Map structure
Mobile phone
shop user
Buy without
call center
Static info on
blockbuster concerts
Order one particular
blockbuster concert
Becomes
aware of
new concert
Priority
Stay on
website
Tries to buy
when sale
starts
Waits for
concert
Attends
concert
Upcoming
concert
sales
Pay by
invoice
News about
concert
Print paper
ticket
Additional
artist info
Pay by
credit card
Validate
using NFC
Likely order
of events

21. Prioritizing slices
Mobile phone
shop user
Buy without
call center
Static info on
blockbuster concerts
Order one particular
blockbuster concert
Becomes
aware of
new concert
Priority
Stay on
website
Tries to buy
when sale
starts
Waits for
concert
Attends
concert
Upcoming
concert
sales
Pay by
invoice
Omitted
steps
Manual
workarnd
Additional
artist info
Pay by
credit card
News about
concert
Validate
Print paper
using NFC
ticket
Likely order
of events
walking
skeleton

22. Slicing for impacts
Mobile phone
shop user
Buy without
call center
Static info on
blockbuster concerts
Priority
Becomes
aware of
new concert
Tries to buy
when sale
starts
Upcoming
concert
sales
Pay by
credit card
Order one particular
blockbuster concert
Pay by
invoice
Additional
artist info
Stay on
website
Waits for
concert
News about
concert
Attends
concert
Validate
Print paper
using NFC
ticket
Likely order
of events

23. Collaboration
Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
Project Lead
Impact Maps
Product
Owner
Team
Story Maps
Other groups
that deliver

25. www.ProductOwnerSurvivalCamp.com
@gojkoadzic
@chrishassa