Time & Cost

Question 1

TPM and Agile difference in Time Management

Answer 1

TPM
Plan -> GANT
Gant should change least possible
Scope drives schedule

Agile
Time is fixed
Team define the scope to fit into specific timeframe
There is a need for performance measure to estimate scope within fixed timeframe
-Progressive Adjustment: plan with real information

Question 2

Difference between strategic and tactical schedules

Answer 2

Strategic

• Early planning
• High-level requirements
• Early idea of the overall schedule

Tactical

• Detailed planning for each release and sprint
• Short-term planning

Question 3

What determine the product development duration in Agile?

Answer 3

Assigned deadline
-Strategic date

Budget considerations

Functionality completed
-Stop when all highest value features are delivered

Question 4

How does Agile teams determine how much they can deliver?

Answer 4

By measuring the team’s velocity

• Measure the number of user story points done in each sprint
• Unique for each team and project (cannot compare)
• Constantly measured (post-sprint fact)
• Not used to evaluate performance (just a planning tool)

Question 5

What is the advantage of knowing the Agile team velocity?

Answer 5

Long-term planning tool

• Budget and schedule
• Understand if more teams are required

Focus on removing constraints to increase velocity
-Monitor it

Question 6

Is velocity constant?

Answer 6

Low in the first few sprints

Increases with learning curves

Setbacks can temporarily decrease velocity

Question 7

Role of Scrum Master to increase velocity

Answer 7

Remove/avoid roadblocks
Eliminate distractions
Ask input from the team

Question 8

Best practices for velocity measurement

Answer 8

Consistent

• Sprint length
• Work hours
• Team members

Update effort and priorities estimation for new requirements

Question 9

How to estimate costs in Agile?

Answer 9

Cost is a direct expression of time

Through velocity and consistency, it is possible to estimate costs

• Team cost
• Regular resources cost
• Additional resources cost

Question 10

How to lower cost of Agile projects?

Answer 10

Increase team’s velocity

Not completing lower-priority requirements

• Stop project when cost is higher than value
• Value < Actual Cost + Opportunity Cost -> STOP