When you put it like that ...

Sunday, 1 April 2007

When you put it like that ...

Posted by Simon Baker

It’s got to be more effective to deliver each minimal marketable feature to production, without delays, where it can earn value for the business than to batch and queue unvalidated decisions . Hasn’t it?

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2 Comments

NO, it hasn’t got to be more effective to deliver each minimal marketable feature to production, because those features don’t instantly and automatically earn value for the business (at least not for the kind of B2B commercial software business that I work in). In my world, new features only earn value when their release is accompanied by a host of supporting activities involving operations, order fulfillment, technical support, professional services, and sales. If those activities aren’t properly planned, coordinated, and executed, the new feature in question may actually destroy value rather than earn it. For that reason, it makes more sense to coordinate the release of multiple features at once. That said, I'm strongly in favor of frequent, small releases. Just not too small or too frequent. We do them quarterly.

Comment by Andy

Hi Andy

Sounds like you're working in an enterprise organisation. Let me ask a question: If you could reorganise whatever you wanted, say the composition of the team, would it be possible to include those things you list as part of the 'marketable feature' and it's delivery? If not, could you please elaborate on the types of obstacles you would anticipate.

I think this is a common challenge facing a very agile and lean approach. So it would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

Simon.

Comment by Simon Baker

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