Concepts
Progressive elaboration is a very crucial method that can help Agile project managers to properly size items for their projects. In this process, a project is continuously refined and defined throughout its life cycle. The key element here is to better understand the nature of the work and to detail it out only when it’s needed, which aligns very well with Agile principles. This technique not only enables the team to be more adaptive and flexible but also assists in pinning down the project size more effectively. In this manner, sizing becomes independent of other factors, such as team velocity and preventing external variables from affecting project outcomes.
Progressive Elaboration: Explained
The technique of progressive elaboration comprises breaking down the project into smaller and manageable parts. The details of these parts are then elaborated progressively throughout the project’s life cycle. When conducted iteratively, it results in a clear mapping of the tasks, thereby aiding in sizing.
This iterative approach resonates with the Agile Manifesto’s principle, which suggests focusing on satisfying the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software. Here’s a simple illustration.
| Lifecycle Phase | Detailing |
|---|---|
| Requirement Gathered | High level |
| Pre-development | Broken down into Epics |
| Development | Further broken down into User Stories |
| Execution | Tasks within the Story are identified |
| Verification | Final touches and bug fixing |
This process isn’t final and is subject to changes as the project progresses. Reacting to change, even late in the development, is much more useful rather than sticking to a strict plan.
Benefits of Progressive Elaboration
Using progressive elaboration approach for item sizing brings many benefits. Some of them are:
- Better anticipation of potential roadblocks and risks: Breaking down work into smaller units allows for a more comprehensive understanding of difficulties, risks, and dependencies.
- Adaptable plans: Progressive elaboration promotes revisiting and updating plans, hence making them more flexible and adaptable.
- Better clarity: Detailed definition of tasks based on current understanding, awareness, and knowledge enhances clarity for the entire team.
- Improved sizing estimates: As the level of detail increases, so does the accuracy of the item (or task) size.
Sizing items using Progressive Elaboration
Sizing items using progressive elaboration involves explaining each item’s requirements and specifics progressively as per the level of information available. As the project progresses, requirements that were vague in the beginning become more apparent and clearer.
Example of Progressive Elaboration:
Initial Requirement: “A website form needs to be developed for our visitors to provide feedback.”
Epic: “Creation of a feedback collection form on the website.”
User Story: “As a website user, I want to be able to provide feedback, so that the team can make improvements.”
Tasks:
- Choose a place on the website to insert the feedback form.
- Design and layout the form.
- Code and integrate the form into the website.
- Test the feedback form functionality.
- Fix bugs and finalize.
With every step, the team gains a clearer understanding of the task, and thus the size of the task can be estimated with accuracy.
In conclusion, using progressive elaboration techniques for sizing items helps Project Managers to de-risk their projects. This approach helps in making size estimates more accurate, independent of individual team velocity, and decouples it from deterministic factors such as external variables. Hence, this method is an integral part of any PMI-ACP exam.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Progressive elaboration techniques focus on adding details to the project as more information becomes available.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is a project management technique that involves continually refining estimates and scope throughout the lifespan of a project as more details become known.
True or False: Progressive elaboration techniques ignore team velocity and external variables.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The objective of using progressive elaboration techniques is to determine the likely size of a project independently of team velocity and other external variables.
What is one of the main purposes of using progressive elaboration in project management?
- a) To determine the team’s velocity.
- b) To assess the effectiveness of communication in the team.
- c) To forecast project size independent of variables.
- d) To help in creating the project budget.
Answer: c) To forecast project size independent of variables.
Explanation: Though other aspects may be influenced, the primary purpose of progressive elaboration is to forecast project size without being influenced by team velocity or other variables.
Which of the following is NOT a part of using progressive elaboration techniques in project management?
- a) Refining project estimates
- b) Involving stakeholders in decision-making
- c) Neglecting team velocity
- d) Focusing on external variables
Answer: d) Focusing on external variables
Explanation: Progressive elaboration techniques aim to assess project size without focusing on external variables.
True or False: PMI-ACP certification holders must have a strong understanding of progressive elaboration techniques.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration techniques are crucial for effective project management, and are therefore emphasized in PMI-ACP certification exams.
Multiple Select: What could be breakdown structures used in progressive elaboration?
- a) Work breakdown structures.
- b) Resource breakdown structures.
- c) Risk breakdown structures.
- d) Budget breakdown structures.
Answer: a) Work breakdown structures, b) Resource breakdown structures, c) Risk breakdown structures.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration techniques use breakdown structures like work, resource and risk to detailed analyze and forecast project size.
Fundamentally, progressive elaboration is associated with which process?
- a) Planning
- b) Executing
- c) Monitoring
- d) Closing
Answer: a) Planning
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is used in the planning phase of project management to refine project size estimates as more information becomes available.
True or False: Progressive elaboration is a linear process.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration is iterative, not linear. As more information gets surfaced, the process cycles back to refine or elaborate on previous estimations or assumptions.
True or False: Progressive elaboration can address risks and uncertainties of projects.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration helps in refining project details as more information becomes available. It helps in handling risks and uncertainties during the project.
Progressive elaboration should be used only in large, multi-year projects. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Progressive elaboration can be applied to projects of all sizes to refine details and estimates as more information becomes known.
Great article! Can anyone explain how to apply progressive elaboration techniques to estimate story sizes?
I appreciate the detail in this blog post. Thanks!
As an ACP, I found progressive elaboration particularly useful for tackling complex projects with many unknowns.
This post really helped me understand the role of progressive elaboration in Agile project management.
How do you handle situations where the initial size estimation was incredibly off?
Really insightful. Thanks for sharing this information.
Can someone provide an example of progressive elaboration in action?
Great read, very helpful!