Episode 15 – Timebox don’t scopebox
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“Timeboxing” is the use of time periods for development which are fixed independent of the progress made. These are widely used in Agile development but timeboxing is often presented as a “given” in Agile approaches. The reason it is important to use timeboxing in controlling complex environments is not always made clear.
This podcast is AI-generated based on material from the “Agile Plays” website and book.
Transcript
Alright. So, we're gonna do a deep dive into this timeboxing thing you've been asking about. Okay. Looks like you've sent me a bunch of stuff here. Yeah.
We got the agile manifesto Yeah. Some lean methodology papers Mhmm. Even some stuff about, like, the history of management thinking. Oh, wow. So it seems like you're really trying to get a handle on how time boxing can work for you, especially in complex project situations Exactly.
Where everything's always changing. Yeah. It's definitely a shift from traditional project management. So let's just start with the basics. Okay.
What exactly IS time boxing? So imagine you're building a puzzle. Okay. But instead of focusing on fitting all the pieces in Mhmm. You're given, like, a certain amount of time to work with.
Okay. You choose the most important pieces, fit what you can in the time you have Mhmm. And then evaluate what you've accomplished. I see. So instead of stressing over getting all the work done Right.
In some unknown time frame Yeah. We just fix the time and then let the scope, which is the amount of work we're doing Right. Adjust. Yep. That's interesting.
It's a core principle of agile, you know, embracing that unpredictable nature of complex projects. So how does that actually, unpredictable nature of complex projects. So how does that actually, like, play out in an actual project? So you have time boxes that work on two levels. Okay.
You got your iterations or sprints, which are those, like, short bursts of focused work. Okay. Say, like, a week or 2. Okay. That's where you're, like, really in the thick of things, you know Yeah.
Making daily progress. Mhmm. And then those iterations get grouped together Yeah. Into larger time boxes, which are called releases Right. Where you're delivering more substantial value to the customer.
So it's like building a house. Yeah. So, like, laying bricks every day, those are the iterations. Exactly. But once you have a room built, that's like a release.
Precisely. And this can really make a world of difference. Okay. Especially for those complex projects where you're expecting to learn as you go. Why?
Well, because it allows you to adapt. Okay. So think about it. Like, in a traditional project, you fix the scope up front Alright. And then you just work till you hit them no matter what.
Right. We call that scope boxing. Scope boxing. But what happens when you uncover new information? Yeah.
When you hit, like, unexpected roadblocks or if you realize some of your initial goals just aren't relevant anymore. You end up stuck trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Exactly. Yeah. And that's where Scoop boxing often breaks down in those complex environments.
Right. Like, trying to navigate a maze with a rigid predetermined path. Yeah. You're gonna hit a wall. Yeah.
But time boxing gives you the flexibility to adjust your course as you learn more about the maze. So instead of stubbornly clinging to that initial plan Yeah. We're acknowledging that things change. Right. And we need to be able to adapt.
Right. And the beauty of time boxing Yeah. Is that it gives you a framework for that adaptation Yeah. Because you're fixing the time. Yeah.
You create, like, a rhythm for the team Mhmm. And predictable delivery points. Okay. Everybody knows when to expect new features, demos, feedback sessions. Right.
It keeps everyone on the same page. That sounds a lot less chaotic than what I'm used to. Well But doesn't fixing the time limit what we can achieve Woah. It still feels a bit counterintuitive. That's where the beauty of varying the scoop comes in.
Okay. So we're not trying to cram every single feature Right. Into each time box. Okay. We prioritize we choose what's most valuable at that moment Yeah.
Given what we know. Okay. So while the time is fixed Yeah. The scope within that time box can and should adapt. So it's all about finding that sweet spot Exactly.
Between structure and flexibility. Exactly. And that's what makes time boxing so effective for those complex, ever changing environments. Yeah. It's about creating a rhythm that lets you navigate.
You know, that unpredictable terrain of software development Right. With, dare I say it, a bit more grace? Grace in software development. Uh-huh. Now that's something I'd like to see more of.
Yeah. So we got time boxing on the level of iterations and releases Mhmm. Fixed time variable scope. Right. What else is, like, really crucial to understanding how this all works?
Well, one key concept is velocity Okay. Which is how much work a team can really complete within a given time box. Okay. Figuring that out is key to effective planning and prioritizing. Okay.
And it's something that sort of emerges over time Okay. As the team gets more familiar with working in this way. So we're not just blindly guessing how much we can get done. Not at all. There's a process.
Absolutely. It's all about data, observation, and continuous learning. Right. But I think that's a topic for part 2 Okay. Of our deep dive.
Sounds good. We've covered a lot of ground already. Yeah. That's true. And I wanna give Velocity, you know, the attention it deserves.
Alright. So we'll pick this up next time. Sounds good. Looking forward to it. Okay.
So welcome back to our deep dive into time boxing. K. Last time we left off Yeah. Talking about this interesting concept of velocity. Right.
Yeah. We we talked about how time boxing means fixing the time Mhmm. And then letting the scope of work vary within that time frame. Yep. And we touched on how time boxes play out Mhmm.
Both in iterations and releases. Exactly. And to effectively plan and prioritize Okay. Within those time boxes Mhmm. We really need to understand our velocity.
Good. How much work we can realistically accomplish in a given time frame. So it's not just about blindly stuffing tasks into a sprint Right. And hoping for the best? Not at velocity is a key metric in agile.
Okay. And it's something that emerges over time through observation and continuous learning. So walk me through that. Okay. How do we actually measure velocity Okay.
And then use it to our advantage? So it starts with understanding what we're actually measuring. Okay. In most agile frameworks, velocity is calculated Mhmm. Based on the number of story points completed in a sprint.
Okay. What are story points? So story points are a relative measure Okay. Of the effort required to complete a task. So instead of saying, like, this task will take 4 hours Right.
We're assigning it, like, a point value. Exactly. Based on its complexity and effort Mhmm. Compared to other tasks. Precisely.
And it's a more flexible and, frankly, more realistic way Yeah. To estimate work in complex environments. Right. Because we rarely know exactly how long something will take. Exactly.
Especially in software development, you're always hitting those unexpected challenges. You're always learning new things. Absolutely. So how do these story points translate into actual velocity? Okay.
So let's say your team completes tasks k. Totaling 20 story points Mhmm. In a 2 week sprint. Okay. Your velocity for that sprint would be 20.
Okay. And as you track velocity over multiple sprints Mhmm. You start to see a pattern Yeah. An average velocity that your team can sustain. And that average then becomes a really valuable tool Yes.
For planning future sprints. Exactly. You can use your historical velocity to estimate Okay. How much work you can realistically commit to Right. In the next sprint.
Yep. And this prevents overcommitting Mhmm. And reduces the risk of, you know Yeah. Not meeting your sprint goals. So it's like knowing your average running speed.
Yeah. You know, if you know you can comfortably run 5 miles an hour Right. You're probably not gonna sign up for a marathon tomorrow. That's a great analogy. Uh-huh.
Now it's important to remember k. That velocity isn't about squeezing every ounce Yeah. Productivity out of your team. Okay. It's about finding a sustainable pace Mhmm.
A rhythm that allows for high quality work Right. And continuous improvement. So velocity is not just a number. Right. It's a reflection of the team's capacity Mhmm.
And overall well-being. Precisely. Yeah. And a healthy velocity is one that lets the team deliver value consistently without burning out. Right.
So this all ties back to what we were saying. Yeah. Time boxing being a way to manage Mhmm. Uncertainty and complexity. Exactly.
So by understanding our velocity Right. We're better equipped to make those informed decisions Yes. About what we can achieve Mhmm. Within those fixed time frames. Exactly.
It's all about finding that balance Okay. Between ambition and pragmatism. Yeah. We wanna push ourselves to deliver value, but we also have to be realistic Right. About what's achievable Okay.
Within that given time box. Now we talked about how time boxing contrasts with scope boxing Right. That more traditional project management approach Yeah. Where the goals are fixed and the work continues until they are achieved. Exactly.
Can you elaborate on why that often falls apart Sure. With complex environments? So as we discussed, complex projects are inherently unpredictable. Mhmm. We're always learning new things Yeah.
Encountering unexpected challenges and having to adjust course. Right. Scope boxing assumes a level of certainty that just doesn't exist. Yeah. It's like setting sail with a rigid itinerary Yeah.
In the middle of a hurricane. Right. You're bound to get blown off course. Precisely. And when those inevitable changes arise Yeah.
In a scope box project Mhmm. You often end up with delays Yeah. Budget overruns Right. And a product that no longer really meets the needs of the user. Because you're so focused on hitting those initial goals Right.
That you're kinda losing sight of the bigger picture. Yeah. And the evolving needs of the project. Right. Right?
And that's why time boxing can be such a powerful alternative. Right. By fixing the time and allowing the scope to vary Mhmm. We're embracing that inherent uncertainty Yeah. And building in the flexibility to adapt as we go.
So we're not just reacting to change. Right. We're anticipating it. Exactly. And building it into our process from the get go.
Exactly. Now let's delve a little deeper into the benefits of this approach Okay. Especially when it comes to managing these complex projects Mhmm. Where continuous learning is expected. Alright.
Alright. So we're back for the last part of our deep dive into time boxing. Okay. And, we've covered a lot, you know, from the basic definition all the way to talking about velocity Mhmm. And the pitfalls of scope boxing.
Right. And now we're gonna explore how this actually plays out Yeah. You know, in those complex project environments Mhmm. Where learning is not just expected, but essential. Yeah.
Because in software development, learning is constantly happening. Absolutely. New technologies come out. Right. Requirements change.
Yeah. Yeah. User feedback. Oh, yeah. Those curve paths.
Exactly. And time boxing gives you a framework Okay. For embracing that learning and incorporating it into your process. How does that actually work, though? Like, how does time boxing make that continuous learning loop happen?
So it starts with those short iterations that we talked about, you know, breaking down the work Alright. Into smaller chunks Yeah. Creates regular opportunities to reflect and adjust. Okay. So at the end of each iteration Mhmm.
The team comes together for a retrospective Okay. To discuss what went well, what could be improved Right. And how to adapt for the next iteration. So it's not just about churning out code and getting on to the next thing. No.
There's, like, a mechanism for pausing, reflecting Exactly. And actually learning. Yeah. And those retrospectives are really valuable Okay. For, you know, identifying patterns and roadblocks Mhmm.
And refining the team's understanding of the project. It's like having those regular checkups with the doctor. Yeah. You're constantly monitoring your health Right. Identifying any issues Mhmm.
Making adjustments to stay on track. That's a great analogy. So another key thing about time boxing in these learning environments Yeah. Is the emphasis on delivering value Yes. Incrementally.
Instead of waiting till the end of the project Mhmm. To release this big bang. We're delivering usable functionality Perfect. At regular intervals. Exactly.
So you're getting those features users hands early. Yeah. Gathering feedback, incorporating that feedback into the next iteration. Like sculpting a statue. Yeah.
You're not gonna wait till the very end to show it to the client. Right. You get feedback along the way. Right. You make adjustments.
Make a sec. Make sure the final product is something they love. Precisely. So let's talk about how time boxing helps manage Okay. Uncertainty Mhmm.
In these complex projects. Mhmm. So by fixing the time, allowing the scope to vary Right. We're acknowledging we don't have all the answers upfront. Right.
Right? We're embracing the unknown Yeah. Building in the flexibility to adapt as we learn. Exactly. So we're not clinging to that rigid plan.
Right. That's probably gonna be obsolete as soon as we start. Exactly. We're creating a framework that allows us to navigate those waters, adjust course Mhmm. And ultimately be successful.
That must require a lot of trust and autonomy within the team. You're absolutely right. Time boxing works best Yeah. In environments where teams are empowered to make decisions Okay. To self organize and take ownership of that work.
Because if you're constantly going back to management Right. For approval every time something new comes up. Exactly. You lose all that agility and responsiveness Right. That time boxing is supposed to enable.
So fostering that culture of trust Yes. Transparency collaboration Absolutely. Is essential. Essential. So it's not just a scheduling technique.
No. It's a mindset. It's a way of working. It's a way of working that embraces uncertainty. Right.
Empowers teams and fosters continuous learning. Alright. As we wrap up this deep dive Okay. What's that one key takeaway you wanna leave people with? Embrace the power of constraints.
Okay. Those fixed time frames might seem restrictive at first Yeah. But they can actually be incredibly liberating. Yeah. They force you to focus, prioritize, and make decisions more effectively.
Okay. And in those constraints, you'll find your team's creativity. Okay. And problem solving abilities really shine. It's like that old saying, necessity is the mother of invention.
Exactly. Working within those time boxes. Mhmm. Pushing ourselves to find innovative solutions. Solutions Right.
Deliver amazing results. Exactly. So go forth and experiment with time boxing. Okay. And, you know, discover how this technique can transform your approach to software development Mhmm.
And help you navigate the complexities of our world. Awesome. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive You got it. Into time boxing. We hope you found it insightful and maybe even a little inspiring.
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