How do you manage the scope and expectations of a spike or a prototype?

1 Define the purpose and scope

The first step is to clearly define the purpose and scope of the spike or the prototype. What question are you trying to answer? What hypothesis are you testing? What are the success criteria and the acceptance criteria? How much time and effort are you willing to spend? How will you measure and communicate the results? Having a clear and concise statement of the purpose and scope will help you focus on the essential aspects of the problem and avoid scope creep or gold plating.

3 Communicate frequently and clearly

The third step is to communicate frequently and clearly with the stakeholders, the team, and yourself. A spike or a prototype is a dynamic and iterative process that may involve changes, discoveries, or surprises along the way. You need to keep everyone informed and engaged about the progress, the findings, and the next steps. You also need to communicate clearly the scope and expectations of the spike or the prototype, and any deviations or issues that may arise. You also need to communicate with yourself and reflect on your own learning and assumptions.

4 Document and review

The fourth step is to document and review the spike or the prototype. A spike or a prototype is a valuable source of information and knowledge that can inform your business analysis and solution design. You need to document the process, the results, the feedback, and the lessons learned from the spike or the prototype. You also need to review the outcomes and evaluate how they align with the purpose and scope, the success and acceptance criteria, and the expectations. You also need to document and review any changes or implications for the project scope, schedule, budget, or quality.

5 Present and recommend

The fifth step is to present and recommend the spike or the prototype. A spike or a prototype is a powerful tool to communicate and demonstrate your findings and recommendations to the stakeholders and the team. You need to present the spike or the prototype in a clear, concise, and compelling way that highlights the value and the insights it provides. You also need to recommend the next steps or actions based on the results of the spike or the prototype. You also need to present and recommend any risks or issues that need to be addressed or mitigated.

6 Dispose or reuse

The sixth step is to dispose or reuse the spike or the prototype. A spike or a prototype is a temporary and disposable artifact that serves a specific purpose and scope. You need to dispose of it when it is no longer needed or useful, or when it becomes obsolete or invalid. You also need to ensure that you do not create any dependencies or expectations that the spike or the prototype will be part of the final solution. However, you may also reuse some or all of the spike or the prototype if it meets the quality standards and requirements of the final solution, or if it can be adapted or improved for further use.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?