Predictability Best for Long Term Success

Too many software teams focus on productivity rather than predictability.

When designing software, many teams focus on productivity first and assume that this will move things along nicely. While productivity-focused behavior pumps things up for the short term, blogger Richard Lawrence suggests that a predictability focus is far more lucrative long term.

Lawrence suggests that teams focused on predictability:

• Use smaller user stories that can be completed more quickly.

• Are able to work on a number of stories at once.

• Have a stronger definition of what done means.

• Make commitments that are achievable and based on past results.

Lawrence suggests that predictability-focused behaviors will not kick up velocity right away, but will result in a steady, stable increase over a period of time. This is because “small stories are easier to estimate and get right” and “when done really means done, the Product Owner can make meaningful predictions and commitments around delivery.“

Learn five ways that predictability-focused behaviors can cause software team issues in the full post.