Chapter 4 Principles

Question 1

What are the eight DSDM principles?

Answer 1

1 - Focus on the Business Need

2. Deliver on time
3. Collaborate
4. Never compromise quality
5. Build incrementally from firm foundations
6. Develop iteratively
7. Communicate continuously and clearly
8. Demonstrate control

Question 2

Principle 1#8 - Focus on the Business Need

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 2

DSDM teams need to:

1) Understand the true business priorities
2) Establish a valid business case
3) Ensure continuous business sponsorship and commitment
4) Guarantee delivery of the Minimum Usable SubseT

Question 3

Principle 2#8 - Deliver on Time

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 3

DSDM teams need to:

1) Timebox the work
2) Focus on business priorities
3) Always hit deadlines
4) Build confidence through predictable delivery

Question 4

Principle 3#8 – Collaborate

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 4

DSDM teams need to:

1) Involve the right stakeholders, at the right time, throughout the project
2) Encourage pro-active involvement from the business representatives
3) Ensure that all members of the team are empowered to take decisions on behalf of those they represent
4) Build a one-team culture

Question 5

Principle 4#8 - Never Compromise Quality

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 5

DSDM teams need to:

1) Agree the level of quality from the outset, before development starts
2) Ensure that quality does not become a variable
3) Test early, test continuously and test to the appropriate level
4) Build in quality by constant review
5) Design and document appropriately

Question 6

Principle 5#8 - Build Incrementally from Firm Foundations

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 6

DSDM teams need to:

1) Carry-out appropriate analysis and enough design up front (EDUF) to create strong foundations
2) Formally re-assess priorities and informally re-assess ongoing project viability with each delivered Increment

Question 7

Principle 6#8 - Develop Iteratively (heart of DSDM)

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 7

DSDM teams need to:

1) Build business feedback into each iteration
2) Recognise that most detail should emerge later rather than sooner
3) Embrace change – the right solution will not evolve without it
4) Use iterative development to encourage creativity, experimentation and learning
* **it is rare that anything is created perfectly first time!

Question 8

Principle 7#8 - Communicate Continuously and Clearly

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 8

DSDM teams need to:

1) Encourage informal, face-to-face communication at all levels
2) Run daily team stand-up sessions
3) Use Workshops, with a facilitator where appropriate
4) Use visual communication practices such as Modelling and Prototyping
5) Demonstrate the Evolving Solution early and often
6) Keep documentation lean and timely
7) Manage the expectations of the stakeholder at all levels throughout the project
8) Always aim for honesty and transparency in all communication

Question 9

Principle 8#8 - Demonstrate Control

How do you fulfil this principle?

Answer 9

DSDM teams, especially the Project Manager and Team Leader, need to:

1) Make plans and progress visible to all
2) Measure progress through focus on delivery of products rather than completed activities
3) Manage proactively
4) Evaluate continuing project viability based on the business objectives
5) Use an appropriate level of formality for tracking and reporting