Delivery Methods: Fit With Purpose

Selecting the right delivery methodology is an important decision for any team committed to delivering high-quality products and experiences efficiently and effectively. This choice should be informed by a clear understanding of the 'why' behind the approach, ensuring that the methodology aligns with the team’s dynamics, project requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Here we explore key considerations for teams aligning on their delivery approach, focusing on predictability, rate of change, and the pattern and cadence of delivery, while also emphasizing the importance of risk reduction and continuous feedback.

Predictability of Work

• Why It Matters: Predictability in project delivery is a pursuit every team aims for but often finds challenging to achieve consistently. This challenge is multifaceted, rooted in the inherent uncertainty of projects, the dynamic nature of teams, and the evolving landscapes of industries.
• Measure Predictability: Conduct analysis to determine how similar initiatives in your organization have measured against their baseline plans. Evaluate Scope, Schedule, and Cost to quantify accuracy of predictions and associated impacts over time.

Rate of Change

• Why It Matters:  Projects with high variability and frequent shifts in direction benefit from iterative approaches like Scrum or Kanban, which accommodate rapid iterations and continuous prioritization. Conversely, projects with stable requirements may suit more traditional, phased approaches, offering clear milestones and a sequential flow. The chosen methodology must align with how quickly a project's scope, technology, and stakeholder needs evolve.
• Factor Rate of Change: So - How fast are needs evolving? At what rate must we learn in order to ensure necessary levels of responsiveness, to maintain quality standards, and to deliver value without overwhelming the team or sacrificing strategic objectives? What impact does the rate of change have on project schedule, budget, quality, or future planning efforts?

Cadence and Pattern

• Why It Matters: Consistent patterns in team workflows are crucial for creating a structured approach to project delivery. They provide a steady, predictable rhythm that guides the team and stakeholders through the complexities of project execution. This predictability allows for better planning, more accurate forecasting, and a clear understanding of when work will be delivered. A consistent cadence helps establish regular feedback loops and iterations, which are essential for continuous improvement and adaptability to change. 
• Plan vs. Act of Continuous Planning: SDLC projects are scripted to follow the project plan with milestones, events, and activities detailed, sequenced, and audited for performance. Scrum's time-boxed sprints offer a fixed pattern that can foster focus and efficiency, ideal for teams that thrive on regularity and clear deadlines. On the other hand, Kanban's flow-based approach is more suited to teams dealing with varying priorities and a high rate of change, as it provides the flexibility to adapt to incoming work without the constraints of a time-boxed schedule.

Reduce Risk with Fast Feedback

•  A consistent cadence provides checkpoints for identifying and mitigating risks before they escalate, ensuring that issues are managed proactively. Concurrently, a rhythmic pattern of work allows for structured opportunities to solicit and integrate feedback, fostering a loop of continuous learning and improvement. Such iterative processes inherent in methodologies like Scrum and Kanban not only enhance responsiveness to change but also build resilience within teams, leading to more predictable and successful project outcomes.

Team selection of a delivery methodology should be a thoughtful process that considers the unique aspects of the team and the work they undertake. Whether it’s through the structured sprints of Scrum, the adaptability of Kanban, the hybrid vigor of Scrumban, or the phased approach of the SDLC, understanding the 'why' behind each choice will guide teams to more successful, predictable, and satisfying delivery experiences.

Reference the Methodology Comparison tool below to visualize the correlation between Value Realization Over Time, factoring Predictability, Rate of Change, and Cadence / Pattern to help your Team(s) select the right fit, for the right reasons. 

Improve engagement and gain consensus faster with the use of interactive tools like Miro to facilitate a healthy and productive conversation to support the WHY driving your method selection.