Agile Wednesday
Gabor Stramb
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Selecting the Right Iteration Length
When you’re adopting an iterative process, one of the important decisions you’ll need to make is how long each iteration should be. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this; the ideal iteration length can vary depending on the team and the specific project.
What works well for one team on a particular project might not be suitable for the same team on a different project. It’s all about finding the right balance that fits your unique situation.
1. Project Duration
Short Projects: For projects lasting 3-6 months, shorter iterations (1-2 weeks) are often beneficial. They provide frequent feedback and allow for quick adjustments.
Longer Projects: For projects extending beyond six months, longer iterations (2-4 weeks) might be more suitable. They offer stability and reduce the overhead of frequent planning.
2. Team Size and Experience
Smaller Teams: Teams with fewer members can often handle shorter iterations as they can quickly adapt and complete tasks.
Larger Teams: Bigger teams might benefit from longer iterations to manage the complexity and coordination required.
3. Uncertainty and Complexity
High Uncertainty: If there is a lot of uncertainty regarding requirements or technical aspects, shorter iterations are preferable. They allow for more frequent reassessment and course correction.
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Low Uncertainty: When the project scope and requirements are well-defined, longer iterations can be effective.
4. Team’s Velocity and Capacity
High Velocity: Teams that can deliver a lot of work in a short period may prefer shorter iterations to showcase progress frequently.
Lower Velocity: Teams that need more time to deliver substantial increments might opt for longer iterations.
How Long Priorities Can Remain UnchangedOnce a development team commits to completing a specific set of features in an iteration, it's important that they not be redirected from that goal, so people outside the team shouldn't change the team's priorities during an iteration.
Therefore, the length of time that priorities can go unchanged is a factor in selecting the iteration length.
How Soon a Feeling of Urgency Is Established
When the deadline for a project is still a long way off, we tend to take our time and work at a relaxed pace. However, as the deadline approaches and becomes more real, we feel the urgency and start putting in more effort to get things done.
As a final bit of advice, once you determine the appropriate iteration length, stick with it.
Teams benefit greatly from having a rhythm to their projects. Let me know your experience below.
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