Final Thoughts

Product development hinges on managing information and how that information evolves over the course of a project as learning takes place. This progression of information requires a framework, or model, that assists in getting the right information to the right people at the right time, guiding project participants, and monitoring real progress.

Three key activities need to be completed prior to beginning story development—articulating a product vision, defining the project’s objectives and constraints, and creating an iterative, story-based release plan. The release plan is constructed from the product feature/story backlog that evolves during the Envision and Speculate phases. After the release plan has been completed, other common project management planning artifacts—such as expenditure budgets—can be finalized. The fact is, when you get the backlog and release plan done, the rest is relatively easy!