Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
- A method for objectively ranking and sequencing Product Backlog items
- Ensures items of highest value are delivered at the earliest opportunity.
- Value is based on cost of delay. Items with highest Cost of Delay and lowest cost of development (effort) are ranked higher for delivery
- When 2 items have the same value, do item with lowest cost (effort)
- Provides teams with clarity about what to be working on
- Minimizes work in progress.
- Does not rely on absolute number estimates – each backlog item is ranked relative to others
WSJF Calculation
- WSJF = Cost of Delay (COD) / Job Size (Effort), where
- COD = Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction Opportunity
- Rank = COD/Job Size (Effort)
WSJF parameters for each feature are scored relative to all other features using Fibonacci (0,1,2,3,5,8,13…).
Do scoring for one column at a time for all features before moving to next column. Start by finding smallest ranked item and giving it a 1. There must be a 1 in each column. In the above example, Feature B should be delivered first, followed by Feature A, then Feature D.
As an aside, the idea of connecting features to business value can be visualized using a ‘Value Driver Tree’ approach. This is a good way to address the question: Why are we building this feature, what’s the business value.
References:
Principles of Product Development Flow, Donald Reinertsen
