Progressive elaboration is an efficient project management technique that involves continually refining the details of a project as more information becomes available. This method is particularly useful when determining project size in agile frameworks, and can be done independently of team velocity and other external variables.
In the realm of software development, to estimate the overall project size, product backlog items (PBIs) are broken down using progressive elaboration. Large, vague user stories are divided into smaller, detailed user stories or tasks, which are easier to estimate.
The Progressive Elaboration Process
The steps involved can be demonstrated through progressive decomposition as follows:
- Setting Up the Backlog: The product backlog is a list of all the desired features and functionalities that need to be incorporated into the software product. This backlog may include user stories, use cases or any other form of requirements as per the Agile team’s method of working.
- Identifying User Stories: From here, Agile teams break down larger ‘Epics’ into smaller user stories, which describe the system from the perspective of the end user. An epic may be broken down into multiple user stories.
- Breaking Down User Stories: Each user story is then divided into various tasks, which the team can work on. These tasks are far more manageable, and working on them contributes to the successful completion of the user stories and in turn, the Epics.
For instance, consider an Epic ‘Build an e-commerce website.’ One of the possible user stories would be ‘User should be able to add products to cart.’ The tasks associated with this user story would be ‘Design “Add to Cart” button,’ ‘Implement backend service for shopping cart,’ and so on.
With progressive elaboration, Agile teams efficiently break down and estimate a large project into smaller workable sections, working iteratively to accomplish the project goals. Utilizing this approach, teams can figure out the anticipated project size early, allowing them to make decisions about resource allocation, scheduling, and other important aspects of project preparation.
The “Cone of Uncertainty”
While conducting progressive elaboration, it is crucial to remember the “Cone of Uncertainty,” a model that states uncertainty about a project is the highest at the start and reduces as more details are discovered. This concept emphasizes the importance of progressive elaboration by showing that estimates regarding project size are likely to be more accurate as the project unfolds.
Adaptively planning and sizing using progressive elaboration techniques not just allow project teams to understand the scope of work better but also helps predict the project size more accurately over time. Importantly, once the project commences, the progressive elaboration does not stop. As Agile supports flexible changes, even the product backlog is fine-tuned regularly based on the new inputs or changes in the business requirements.
This method elicits an Agile mindset, where the focus isn’t as much on precise, upfront estimates, but rather on continuous learning and adjustment to deliver the highest value within the project context. Undertaking regular refinement of project estimates enables more reliable forecasting and enhanced project control.
Conclusion
To summarize, setting up an Agile project for success often begins with understanding the project size. Progressive elaboration techniques are excellent tools allowing the Agile team to iteratively decompose and size their work, giving them the information they need to forecast effort, cost, and schedule, irrespective of team velocity and external variables.
Practice Test
What is progressive elaboration technique?
- A. A technique to estimate project size regardless of team velocity.
- B. A technique to estimate project cost regardless of team velocity.
- C. A technique to manage project risk regardless of team velocity.
- D. A technique to manage project schedule regardless of team velocity.
Answer: A. A technique to estimate project size regardless of team velocity.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is a project management technique that allows estimates to become more accurate as more information becomes available. In Agile, it is often applied to project size estimation independently of team velocity.
True or False: Progressive elaboration techniques do not take into account external variables.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration takes into account as much available information as possible, including external variables, to refine project size estimates.
Progressive elaboration helps in determining the project size independent of:
- A. Team velocity.
- B. Project cost.
- C. Project risk.
- D. Project duration.
Answer: A. Team velocity.
Explanation: Although project cost, risk and duration may be influenced by progressive elaboration, the primary use of this technique is to estimate project size independently of team velocity.
Which of these is not a part of Progressive Elaboration?
- A. Learning from past experiences.
- B. Keeping estimates up-to-date based on new information.
- C. Ignoring changes in external factors.
- D. Considering newly emerged risks.
Answer: C. Ignoring changes in external factors.
Explanation: Progressive Elaboration involves continuously updating estimates by considering new information, including changes in external factors.
True or False: Progressive elaboration minimizes estimation errors over time.
Answer: True.
Explanation: By continuously adjusting estimates based on updated information, progressive elaboration minimizes estimation errors over time.
Progressive elaboration in project management is an ongoing process of:
- A. Enhancing and refining project estimates.
- B. Reducing and simplifying project estimates.
- C. Re-tendering the project.
- D. Adjusting project schedules.
Answer: A. Enhancing and refining project estimates.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is a continual process of enhancing and refining project estimates based on the latest information available.
True or False: Progressive elaboration only applies to larger projects.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration can be used on any project, regardless of its size. The iterative approach allows it to manage estimates effectively across different scales of projects.
What makes an estimate more accurate in progressive elaboration technique?
- A. Learning from past failures.
- B. Reflecting the current understanding of the project.
- C. Ignoring the changes in team velocity.
- D. Lessen the impact of external variables.
Answer: B. Reflecting the current understanding of the project.
Explanation: In progressive elaboration, an estimate becomes more accurate as it reflects the current understanding of the project, with continuous updates based on new information.
True or False: Progressive elaboration is a one-time process.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is an ongoing process of refining estimates based on new data and insights, not a single-point process.
In Agile projects, progressive elaboration is useful for:
- A. Project time scheduling.
- B. Project cost budgeting.
- C. Deciding project sequencing.
- D. Estimating project size.
Answer: D. Estimating project size.
Explanation: In Agile, the primary use of progressive elaboration is to estimate the project size independently of team velocity and external factors, hence, making it adaptable and flexible throughout the project’s life cycle.
Interview Questions
What is progressive elaboration in project management?
Progressive elaboration is a project management technique that involves continuously improving and detailing a plan as more detailed and specific information and more accurate estimates become available.
How can size items be determined using progressive elaboration techniques?
Size items can be determined using progressive elaboration techniques by starting with initial high-level estimates and then refining these estimates as more details about the project become available. This allows the project size to be more accurately determined.
How can progressive elaboration be independent of team velocity and external variables?
Progressive elaboration can be independent of team velocity and external variables by focusing solely on the project’s characteristics and requirements. It does not rely on the team’s past performance or external factors for estimation but instead utilizes available project-specific information.
What are some techniques used in progressive elaboration?
Some techniques used in progressive elaboration include brainstorming, Delphi technique, decision matrix, cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessment.
Why is progressive elaboration advantageous in determining likely project size?
Progressive elaboration is advantageous in determining likely project size as it allows for a more accurate and realistic estimate by incorporating new information and changes as the project progresses.
Can progressive elaboration be used in agile methodologies?
Yes, progressive elaboration is often used in agile methodologies. It supports the iterative approach of agile by allowing the scope and requirements to be refined over time.
How does progressive elaboration accommodate changes and new information?
Progressive elaboration accommodates changes and new information by incorporating them into the project plan. The process provides the flexibility to refine estimates and plans based on updated information or changes in project scope.
Does progressive elaboration end at the planning stage of a project?
No, progressive elaboration continues throughout the project life cycle. As more details emerge, the plan continues to be updated and elaborated upon to provide better estimates and outcomes.
What is the key to successfully implementing progressive elaboration in a project?
The key to successfully implementing progressive elaboration is communication. Regularly updating and communicating changes to the project team and stakeholders ensures that everyone is aligned with the evolving project plan.
How does progressive elaboration contribute to risk management?
Progressive elaboration contributes to risk management by allowing risks to be better identified and managed as the project progresses. The continual updating of the plan allows for new risks to be identified and handled in a timely manner.
Can progressive elaboration lead to scope creep?
While there’s a risk of scope creep in any project, progressive elaboration should not lead to scope creep if done properly. It is a technique for refining and improving the plan based on new information, not a license to continually expand the scope.
How often should progressive elaboration be done for an agile project?
In agile projects, progressive elaboration should be done regularly. It often coincides with the end of each sprint or iteration, which allows the project team to reflect on what they’ve learned and incorporate any changes into the next cycle.
How can progressive elaboration help deal with uncertainty in project management?
Progressive elaboration helps deal with uncertainty by not requiring a comprehensively detailed plan at the outset. Instead, the plan is gradually refined based on real-world information as the project progresses, helping manage the uncertainty that often comes with projects.
What role does stakeholder involvement play in progressive elaboration?
Stakeholder involvement plays a crucial role in progressive elaboration. Regular communication and feedback from stakeholders provide valuable information for improving and refining project estimates and plans.
Can progressive elaboration affect the project’s scheduling?
Yes, progressive elaboration can affect the project’s scheduling as the project plan – including the schedule – will be continuously updated during the project lifecycle to reflect the new and more accurate information that has been gathered.
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