My Experiential Insights - Agile Release Planning in IT projects

Creating a high-level Agile Release Planning template for a program team consisting of multiple Agile teams involves several key components and considerations.

What you saw above is a practical example of visualizing the workflow from a "Hybrid" approach perspective. Now what you see below could be an approach that is correct or relevant in theory. I had called out that image's credit source too.

Let's break down each aspect and deep dive into it:

1. Introduction and Overview:

• Provide a brief introduction to the Agile Release Plan.
• Highlight the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of the release.
• Outline the scope of the release and the program team's responsibilities.

2. Release Goals and Objectives:

• Clearly define the overarching goals and objectives of the release.
• Ensure alignment with the client's expectations and business objectives.

3. Scope and Features:

• List the high-level features and functionalities planned for the release.
• Define the scope boundaries and any potential inclusions or exclusions.

4. Schedule and Timeline:

• Present a high-level timeline indicating major milestones, iterations, and release dates.
• Utilize Agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban to plan iterations.
• Consider dependencies between features and teams while scheduling.

5. Assumptions, Dependencies, Limitations, and Constraints:

• Document any assumptions made during the planning process.
• Identify dependencies between teams, features, and external factors.
• Highlight limitations and constraints such as resource availability or technological constraints.

6. Risk Management:

• Identify potential risks that could impact the success of the release.
• Assess the likelihood and impact of each risk.
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans for high-risk items.

7. Hybrid Agile Model:

• Define how the hybrid agile model will be implemented.
• Specify the integration points between traditional project management practices and agile methodologies.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities within the hybrid framework.

8. Compliance with RFP and SoW:

• Incorporate relevant clauses from the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Statement of Work (SoW).
• Ensure alignment with contractual obligations and client expectations.

9. Accelerators, Enablers, and Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

• Highlight any accelerators or enablers that can expedite the delivery process.
• Showcase unique selling propositions that differentiate the project and add value for stakeholders.
• Emphasize how these factors contribute to achieving project objectives and client satisfaction.

10. Vendor and Supplier Integration:

• Identify key vendors and suppliers involved in the project ecosystem.
• Establish communication channels and collaboration frameworks with external parties.
• Define expectations and responsibilities for vendor and supplier integration.

Practical Orchestration:

• Use collaboration tools like Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Planner for task tracking and team coordination.
• Conduct regular sprint planning, review, and retrospective meetings to monitor progress and adapt plans as needed.
• Foster open communication and transparency among teams and stakeholders.
• Implement continuous integration and delivery practices to ensure seamless integration of upstream and downstream systems.

You can learn all these concepts hands-on by watching the videos that are on my YouTube channel whose link is provided below.

(1128) Agile Mentorship Program (AMP) by Balaji T - YouTube

Now when I start implementing these concepts hands-on, I like to have a kind of visualization like the below one.

And for that to achieve we need to have a state of continuous "flow orchestration" at the program & portfolio levels too which is shown below.

Now the question may pop up in your mind about how to get these done. Well, that's exactly what I teach in my Agile Mentorship Program (AMP). You can go through my website for further details and get in touch with me if you want to expedite your career trajectory in Agile.

AMP-Balaji | home ( balajiagile.com )

How I get these done in a complex real-time IT engagement is by introducing certain "Program level & Portfolio level cadences in IT" whose link is also shared below.

(2) Introducing Agile Program/Agile Portfolio Level Cadences | LinkedIn

1. Product Roadmap which contains a 9 to12 month horizon. This contains a Monthly cadence of Epics & Themes. Here Epics are sized, prioritized (WSJF) sequenced, and updated in JIRA by Integration Team.
2. PI Targeting, which is a custom meeting, formulated by me contains a 3-to-6-month horizon; it has a monthly cadence where the Features are sized, prioritized (WSJF), and sequenced; and made 'Ready' for 3 months. "Ready" here means ensuring the Definition of Ready (DoR) at a Feature level. This is again updated in JIRA by Product Teams based on my "coaching" to them.
3. Release Targeting is a 2-month horizon activity. I formulated a Monthly cadence so that we encapsulate or encompass 1 or 2 releases in a month. Features committed for deployment on a release date were updated in JIRA by Product Teams in discussion with the Release Manager and integration PO.

By incorporating these elements into your Agile Release Planning template and adopting practical orchestration strategies, you can effectively manage the complexities of a program involving multiple agile teams, ensure compliance with contractual obligations, and drive successful project outcomes. Everything boils down to your capability or competency to implement the "Agile Onion Planning Model" concept in the client landscape of course within the constraints of the ecosystem.

Also, please read the comments section of this post, cheers.