We have the burdown chart to measure the features delivered in a Agile project (in complexity). But I have never seen such a chart displaying the actual business value delivered.
Patrice BlanchardExpert in transferring his expertise| Museum Box srlBraine L'Alleud, Brabant Wallon, Belgium
Burndown chart is the project point of view.What about the customer point of view? Have you ever seen such a chart dispoaying the reals Business Value delivered and focusing on the business instead of focusing on the project team delivery? Saving Changes...
Odd. I posted a response earlier, and now it's gone. The TL:DR version is that you are unlikely to see "a chart displaying the actual business value delivered" during a project because business value cannot be realized or reported on until after a usable product increment has been delivered and is being utilized. For many projects, the project is over by the time value can be realized.
This may not hold true for an "agile" project, but measuring the value realization of the work product of a project is usually not a function of the project, regardless of the approach. It would be nice, possibly even motivational, for a project team to receive feedback on the value derived from what they delivered. Instead, we often get feedback on cost, schedule, quality, throughput, etc. Granted, these are factors that can affect value realization (for example, going over budget can dilute realized value), but in the end, the project is only delivering potential value. Someone else has to do something with what is delivered to create actual value.
Unfortunately, that something doesn't often amount to much more than a spreadsheet that attempts to track ROI and isn't used as an opportunity to improve.
By the time usable product has been delivered, you can have a better idea of what value to expect and milestones to achieving it. Track against these milestones. Kiron's and Sergio's suggestion of a burnup chart could work, but you shouldn't expect a straight line, and it could get a little complex if you have multiple value streams coming out of the project. Saving Changes...
In my personal experience, in the y axis, you can show what you like. For example, value. But visualization could be better with burn up chart, because if you show a line with up to bottom direction to show value achievement it could be misunderstand.
I really like that elegantly simple explanation: in the y axis, you can show what you like.
It is a lot easier to explain the reason for that chart format than math terms. It also goes together well with how we often think "up" on a chart is good (unless you're talking about quality control).
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Jun 01, 2023 6:36 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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Totally agree with you @Keith. If you ask me, I saw that when agile becomes a new buzzword (because Agile is outside there from 1991 and was created in manufacturing field to find an alternative to Lean) some things are using without too much fundamentals. But Agile is based on quality theory and system theory, including it when it has been taken into software (the word software has been used in the name of the famous manifiesto for a reason) and people that created the agile movement in software came from software engineering (I worked with them a lot when agile did not have press).
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
May 31, 2023 7:49 AM
Replying to Patrice Blanchard
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How come this kind of chart is not discussed / presented in agile documentation. I mean this makes sense and is directly bringing value to the team and the business.
There is no question whether it is feasible. Let's just start using it.
The only issue I see it the optimal measure of business value. For complexity we have planning poker but nothing similar for business value. It is even rarely presented and discussed in the CARD for the user story.
The point is: this chart is not related to agile. Is an "ancient" chart that becomes from long time ago. But, like other things, it could be consider a new "buzzword". As you know, the point is to understand the meaning. Then, you can plot what you like into it. About the meassure of business value it is a matter of other discipline (to pint this in the context of PMI and others) which is business analysis. And it is a lot to write about. You can see other methods/approaches like MoV, ValueIT, etc. In the past I worked a lot as volunteer with the PMI with this type of topics mainly in the framework of benefits realization. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
May 31, 2023 9:41 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
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I really like that elegantly simple explanation: in the y axis, you can show what you like.
It is a lot easier to explain the reason for that chart format than math terms. It also goes together well with how we often think "up" on a chart is good (unless you're talking about quality control).
Totally agree with you @Keith. If you ask me, I saw that when agile becomes a new buzzword (because Agile is outside there from 1991 and was created in manufacturing field to find an alternative to Lean) some things are using without too much fundamentals. But Agile is based on quality theory and system theory, including it when it has been taken into software (the word software has been used in the name of the famous manifiesto for a reason) and people that created the agile movement in software came from software engineering (I worked with them a lot when agile did not have press). Saving Changes...
Vijay SuryavanshiProject Manager - Engineering| RECARO Aircraft SeatingPlantation, Fl, United States
Hi
I have to agree with Aaron's thoughts here. Until the actual product is sold and in required quantities over the years, business value is not generated in terms of ROI,NPV or IRR whatever measurement your management uses. This is mostly sales related. Using a velocity chart on the other hand is a tool for better project management internally. (See the list of items to be completed over a period of time usually a linear down scale with a slight down surge or upsurge or something and then recovery.) Saving Changes...
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