An iterative approach to digital product development

comfort zone

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Movement Time !!

Introduction

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Introduction

• The digital environment is fluid and changes rapidly, demanding the ability to respond to change and feedback in short time frames

• Taking a purely project based approach to your digital products can inhibit creative opportunism and responsiveness

Projects ….

Things change• they always do• they always will

You’re not in control of thatits about how you can respond

This is often a change in attitude and culture

Product over project

• Projects end• Products remain• Projects try and cram it all in• Products grow over time

Continuous quality improvement

• Digital products are constantly evaluated and improved based on efficiency, effectiveness and value

• Challenge the final outcome if there is one• Refine and improve return on investment

Agile – quick intro

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• quick and dirty• taking short cuts• being undisciplined• just having a wall• change at will• for cowpersons

Agile is not -

Agile is -• very structured• very disciplined• gives you control• a discipline• change ready• fast paced

Agile makes things obvious• it’s very visual• transparency• shows scope creep• self reflection• expectation issues

Being able to…

• Fail sooner than later• See issues quickly• Transfer ownership of decisions away from

implementation units• Increase output• Understand capacity and cost

Agile has risks• in word only• without review cycle• as an excuse• cowgirls/cowboys

a beautiful alignment

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Product based planning

• Product based planning is the fundamental planning technique that supports Prince 2 and MSP

• Has four key parts– Project product description– Product breakdown structures– Product descriptions – Product flow

Project product description

• Purpose: Scope and requirements• Composition: Key outputs• Customers expectations• Assumptions

Agile and Prince 2 – a lovely match• They can work together• PBS – it’s perfect• Stories - Scope • Business value – key outputs• Acceptance criteria – quality criteria

Iterative design

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Iterative design

• We don't know everything upfront• Things change they always do• Products informed by measurement• Only do what you need now• Allow for end goal to be reviewed & refocused

MVP – minimum viable product

• Begin with what is needed now• Release often• Allow for growth• Defer decisions until appropriate time• Getting traction

The design space

• Creative thinking• Outside the box• Understanding and having boundaries• Blue sky vs reality

formalising it all

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Questions and workshop time....

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In your own work environment

What would inhibit you from employing a more agile attitude ?

barriers opportunities

What opportunities are there to employ a more agile attitude ?