Scrum, Backlog and Santa Claus: Act 3

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Posted by jc-Qualitystreet on 2010/11/11

Or Agility at Home 🙂

Christmas is coming and for the third year we’ve done with kids, our letter to Santa Claus, or rather our prioritized Backlog for Santa Claus.

With Agile and Kaizen mindset, we seek to improve our process (see our 2009 process – English or our 2008 process – French)

Same constraints as previous years

• Santa Claus is very busy
• His sledge is not expandable
• The deadlines are tight
• The delivery date cannot be moved

Other elements of context

My kids are now experienced Product Owners 🙂

• They handle sticky notes and patafix with dexterity…
• They know they cannot have everything (even if you always want more)…
• Being good (or not) has an impact on Santa Claus’s motivation to deliver what they wish…

SO , they realize they must prioritize their Christmas backlog !

How do we set priorities to write the letter to Santa Claus?

Step 1: Needs analysis, Brainstorming and data collection
Passionate reading for weeks, intensive research from several sources… confrontation with friends at school. « Workshop collaboration » with parents at home and, finally, cutting potential gifts

Step 2: Backlog Initialization
Images are cut. Place one image by sticky note (pink ones for my daughter; yellow notes for my son). Question of maturity: this year my son was able to participate actively (he is now 3 ½ years old). The two backlogs are initiated.

Step 3: Backlog Prioritization
Notes are laid on the ground. My kids make their prioritization effort and rank them in order of preference. They place on the top toys they want most, the most important to them…

Step 4: Backlog Customization
Notes are now prioritized on the ground. We keep the principle of visual management but our product owner wish this year to customize their backlog.

Final Backlog – Girl version

Step 5 : Backlog display
Go to the room for an optimal visibility

Results

We really had a great time and the children enjoyed it. They’re very very happy. And you know what ? …  It was a pleasure to coach such good Product Owners 🙂

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