There are several techniques commonly employed for the development of product plans or forecasts, particularly in the context of Agile practices and Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner (CSP-PO) exam. Among these, two of the key techniques are Scrum Planning and Kanban Methodology. This article will objectively compare these two techniques, considering their strengths, weaknesses, and the type of products or business environments in which they are best embedded.
1. Scrum Planning
Scrum Planning is a strategy that emphasizes incremental and iterative growth, with an uncompromising focus on delivering high-quality projects within a reasonable time frame. The Scrum framework allows for continuous feedback and improvement, and it is distinguished by its definite timeframes (called sprints) during which a specific set of tasks must be completed.
Belonging to the Agile methodologies, Scrum prioritizes collaboration, flexibility, and transparency. The scrum team collaboratively decides on the work to be done in the upcoming sprint during the sprint planning. During the sprint, the team holds daily stand-up meetings (or scrums) to report progress and discuss any obstacles they are confronting. At the end of the sprint, the team reviews the sprint results, reflecting on what worked and what didn’t to continuously improve their way of working.
Strengths: The timely and iterative nature of the Scrum framework allows for quick identification of issues and course correction. This accelerates the product development timeliness and improves the end-product quality.
Weaknesses: The rigidity of sprints might not be suitable for all types of projects. If a project requires extensive research or has an unpredictable timeline, Scrum might not be the best fit.
Best For: Scrum Planning is best suited for complex projects where iterations can provide significant learning and adjustment opportunities.
2. Kanban Methodology
Kanban is a lean, just-in-time (JIT) production planning methodology that focuses on managing and improving the workflow. Kanban revolves around the Kanban Board, a tool that visually depicts the workflow of tasks and their current status (To Do, Doing, and Done). Kanban boards help in visualizing bottlenecks in the process, hence enabling the team to focus on minimizing bottlenecks and enhancing the flow of work.
Unlike Scrum, Kanban does not impose a strict timeframe on task completion. Instead, it upholds the concept of continuous delivery. In a Kanban system, new tasks are introduced when there is an available capacity within the team, promoting a smooth, efficient flow of work.
Strengths: Kanban’s visible nature allows everyone in the team to understand the status of the tasks. Moreover, it allows the team to modify the process midway without much difficulty.
Weaknesses: Kanban provides less structure and can be less predictable than other methodologies. Moreover, the absence of timeframes can sometimes result in slower overall task progression.
Best For: Kanban is well-suited for ongoing maintenance or continuous improvement projects. It also caters well to teams with varying priorities and those that require a high level of flexibility.
To summarize, both Scrum Planning and Kanban Methodology offer distinct advantages for product planning and forecasting. While Scrum is ideal for complex projects requiring iterative learning, Kanban is better suited to less structured, ongoing projects.
| Scrum Planning | Kanban Methodology | |
| Key Focus | Incremental product development in set timeframes. | Workflow management through continuous delivery. |
| Strengths | Quick identification and resolution of issues. | Easy to understand and allows mid-course corrections. |
| Weaknesses | Not suitable for all types of projects due to rigidity. | Less structure and slower overall task progression. |
| Best For | Complex projects that would benefit from iterations. | Ongoing projects requiring a high level of flexibility. |
Ultimately, both techniques would be helpful to a Product Owner in varying circumstances. A Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner (CSP-PO) should be well-versed in both methods, knowing when to apply each technique effectively.
Practice Test
True or False: In product planning, the Delphi method includes a group of experts who anonymously reply to questionnaires and subsequently receive feedback in the form of a statistical representation of the group’s response.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The Delphi method falls under the category of qualitative forecasting methods and involves achieving a consensus among a group of experts.
Multiple select: Which of the following are techniques to develop a product plan or forecast?
- a) Time Series Analysis
- b) Market Test Method
- c) Bug Tracking
- d) Competitive Bidding
Answer: a) Time Series Analysis, b) Market Test Method
Explanation: While bug tracking and competitive bidding are important aspects of product management, they are not directly related to product planning or forecasting.
Single select: Which is the best technique for new product forecasting?
- a) Time Series Analysis
- b) Delphi Method
- c) Sales Force Composite
- d) None of the above
Answer: b) Delphi Method
Explanation: The Delphi method is suitable for new products as it combines the opinions of various experts.
True or False: Sales Force Composite method relies on the opinions and inputs of the organization’s sales team.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The Sales Force Composite method involves collecting sales estimates from all members of a company’s sales team.
Multiple select: According to the product planning, what are the objectives of a product plan?
- a) To forecast sales
- b) To determine pricing strategies
- c) To decide the marketing mix
- d) To figure out the product life cycle
Answer: a) To forecast sales, b) To determine pricing strategies, c) To decide the marketing mix, d) To figure out the product life cycle
Explanation: All of these are objectives of product planning.
True or False: Time Series Analysis uses historical data to predict future outcomes.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Time Series Analysis is a quantitative method of forecasting which uses historical data patterns to predict future trends.
Single select: In Product Planning, the ______ method uses consumers’ purchasing behavior and judgment about a product to guide forecasting.
- a) Delphi
- b) Market Test
- c) Time Series Analysis
- d) Sales Force Composite
Answer: b) Market Test
Explanation: The Market Test method evaluates and adjusts marketing strategies based on the responses of potential customers.
True or False: The Sales Force Composite method is the most accurate forecasting method.
- Answer: False
Explanation: The accuracy of forecasting methods varies depending on a range of factors, including the type of product or service, the market environment, and other variables.
Single select: What technique would you use if you want to develop a product forecast purely based on statistical data and past sales records?
- a) Delphi Method
- b) Market Test Method
- c) Time Series Analysis
- d) Sales Force Composite
Answer: c) Time Series Analysis
Explanation: Time Series Analysis uses statistical techniques and past sales records to forecast future sales.
True or False: The Market Test Method is effective in determining the success of a product in real-world conditions.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The Market Test Method tests a product’s demand and viability in a small, but representative market area, thus giving a good indication of its potential success in real-world conditions.
Interview Questions
What are two common techniques used in product planning or forecasting in Scrum?
Two common techniques are the use of Product Backlogs and Release Burn-Down Charts.
What is the function of a Product Backlog in Scrum product planning?
A Product Backlog is a prioritized list of everything that could potentially be added to the product. It serves as a dynamic to-do list that provides a quick overview of what’s next for the product and guides the Scrum team’s work.
How does the Release Burn-Down Chart help in product forecasting?
The Release Burn-Down Chart provides a visual representation of the work remaining to reach the release goal, allowing a forecast to be made about the likely time to completion based on the current rate of progress.
Who is responsible for the maintenance of the Product Backlog?
The Product Owner is responsible for the maintenance of the Product Backlog, including prioritizing items and ensuring they are clear and deliverable.
Who is involved in planning, refining, and managing work on the Product Backlog?
The Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team are all involved throughout these processes.
How do the items in the Product Backlog help in product planning?
Items in the Product Backlog, known as Backlog Items, describe features or requirements of the product and provide a clear vision for the team on what needs to be developed or enhanced.
How are item priorities determined in a Product Backlog?
Item priorities are determined based on their value to the product and the organization, their dependency on other items, and their risk or uncertainty.
Is the Product Backlog ever considered complete?
No, the Product Backlog evolves as the product and the environment in which it will be used evolves. As long as a product exists, its Product Backlog also exists.
What is Velocity in terms of a Release Burn-Down Chart?
In the context of a Release Burn-Down Chart, Velocity is a measure of the amount of work the Scrum Team can tackle during one single Sprint.
What happens when new items are added to the Product Backlog during a Sprint?
When new items are added to the Product Backlog during a Sprint, they do not affect the work of the current Sprint. They will be considered for future Sprints during the next round of Planning.
What role does the Scrum Master play in product planning and forecasting?
The Scrum Master facilitates the Product Backlog refinement sessions, coaches the team in estimation techniques, and aids in tracking progress against forecasts using tools such as the Release Burn-Down Chart.
In which Scrum event does the inspection of the Release Burn-Down Chart typically take place?
The inspection of the Release Burn-Down Chart typically takes place during the Sprint Review.
What are Story Points in Scrum product planning?
Story Points are a unit of measure for expressing the overall size of a User Story, feature, or other piece of work in the Product Backlog.
How does the use of Story Points aid in product planning?
By assigning Story Points to Backlog Items, the team can better estimate the effort required and forecast delivery more accurately. It also helps in quickly identifying larger or more complex items that may need to be broken down further.
What is the significance of ordering items in the Product Backlog?
Ordered items in the Product Backlog help to provide transparency on what needs to be done first. The team pulls work from the top and the Product Owner ensures that the most important items are always at the top.
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