Principles (Chapter 4)

Question 1

How many principles are there?

Answer 1

8

Question 2

What are the eight principles?

Answer 2

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
8. Demonstrate control

Question 3

Compromising on any of the eight principles will not introduce risk to the project. True or false?

Answer 3

False - compromising the principles WILL introduce risk.

Question 4

What does Principle 1, ‘focus on the business need’, mean?

Answer 4

‘Begin with the end in mind’, i.e. establish a clear business case from the outset, ensure it is not diluted over time and that the project delivers what the business needs and when.

Question 5

What does Principle 2, ‘deliver on time’, mean?

Answer 5

‘Tomorrow is too late’

Delivering on time is often the biggest success factor.
Late delivery undermines a project, especially when market and/or legal factors are involved.

Question 6

Delivering on time (Principle 2) is the best way to demonstrate control over a project.

True or false? Explain your answer.

Answer 6

True - it builds stakeholder confidence.

Question 7

What does Principle 3, ‘collaborate’, mean?

Answer 7

Teams that work with active collaboration and commitment will always outperform those that don’t.

Question 8

What are the benefits of collaboration? (3 points)

What is the outcome?

Answer 8

1. Encourages increased understanding
2. Greater speed
3. Shared ownership

The team’s performance exceeds the sum of their parts.

Question 9

DSDM is a ‘team oriented’ (Principle 3) way of working. Why?

Answer 9

A team working iteratively can deliver quickly.

Question 10

What does Principle 4, ‘never compromise quality’, mean?

Answer 10

The level of quality to be delivered is agreed at the start (before work starts) and all work is aimed at achieving it. The solution should be ‘good enough’.

Question 11

Relating to Principle 4, ‘never compromise quality’, what does ‘good enough’ mean? (2 points)

Answer 11

The solution…

1. Contains the MUST features
2. The MUST features meet the agreed acceptance criteria

Question 12

In DSDM, quality is variable. True or false?

Answer 12

False - it is fixed. This relates to Principle 4 (‘never compromise quality’).

Question 13

What does Principle 5, ‘build incrementally from firm foundations’, mean?

Answer 13

Establish firm foundations for the project BEFORE committing to significant development.

We must first understand the scope of the business problem to be solved and the proposed solution (but not in too much detail).

Once this is agreed, incremental delivery starts.

Question 14

Relating to Principle 5, ‘build incrementally from firm foundations’), what are the advantages of incremental delivery? (3 points)

Answer 14

1. Increased stakeholder confidence
2. A source of feedback for subsequent timeboxes
3. Early realisation of business benefit

Question 15

Relating to Principle 5, ‘build incrementally from firm foundations’), Agile is ‘EDUF’ - what does this mean?

Answer 15

‘Enough design up front’ - understand the project scope but not in so much detail that is paralyses innovation.

Question 16

What does Principle 6, ‘develop iteratively’, mean?

Answer 16

It is rare to create something perfectly first time and it is important to recognise that projects operate in a changing world.

Question 17

Relating to Principle 6, ‘develop iteratively’, what three things does DSDM combine to encourage timely feedback?

Answer 17

1. Iterative development
2. Frequent demonstrations
3. Comprehensive review

Question 18

Principle 6, ‘develop iteratively’, is about being responsive. True or false?

Answer 18

True.

Question 19

What does Principle 7, ‘communicate continuously and clearly’, mean?

Answer 19

Poor communication is often cited as the single biggest cause of failure. DSDM is designed to increase communication effectiveness for both teams and individuals.

Question 20

Which DSDM practices support Principle 7, (‘communicate continuously and clearly’)? (4 points)

Answer 20

1. Workshops
2. Modelling
3. Timeboxing
4. Daily stand ups

Question 21

To uphold Principle 7, ‘communicate continuously and clearly’, how should you manage stakeholder expectations? (2 points)

Answer 21

1. Be honest and transparent

2. Provide evidence to keep people informed

Question 22

Ideally, what is the best way to communicate?

Answer 22

Face to face.

Question 23

What does Principle 8, ‘demonstrate control’, mean?

Answer 23

It is essential to be in control of a project, the solution being created and to be able to demonstrate this at all times.

Question 24

Regarding Principle 8, how might you ‘demonstrate control’? (3 points)

Answer 24

1. Make plans and progress visible to everyone
2. Measure success through the delivery of products (not completed activities)
3. Use the appropriate level of formality and reporting

Question 25

What is the point of the eight principles?

Answer 25

To direct and shape the attitude of the DSDM team.

Question 26

‘Defer decisions about detail until the last responsible moment’ - which principle does this relate to?

Answer 26

Principle 6. ‘develop iteratively’