Timeboxing (Chapter 11)

Question 1

Define a timebox.

Answer 1

A fixed period of time, at the end of which an objective has been met.

Question 2

What is the ‘objective’ for a timebox?

Answer 2

Usually completion of one or more deliverables making up a Solution Increment.

Question 3

What measures progress and success of timeboxes?

Answer 3

Completion of products, not tasks.

Question 4

What is the optimum length of a timebox?

Answer 4

2-4 weeks.

Question 5

In exceptional circumstances, what is a) the longest and b) the shortest timebox length?

Answer 5

a) 6 weeks

b) 1 day

Question 6

A timebox is a poorly defined process to support the creation of high-level products. True or false?

Answer 6

False - a timebox is a well defined process to support the creation of low-level products IN AN ITERATIVE BUT CONTROLLED FASHION.

Question 7

At what level is most control over the project exerted?

Answer 7

The development timebox - if the smallest unit slips, so does everything else.

Question 8

What is meant by…

Timebox
Increment timebox
Project timebox

Answer 8

Timeboxes at Evol. Dev.
The lifecycle phase
The whole project

Question 9

Timeboxes begin with…

Timeboxes end with…

Answer 9

Kick-Offs

Close-Outs

Question 10

What are the three main steps of a DSDM structured timebox?

What % of time is spent in each?

At which step is the main development work done?

Answer 10

1. Investigation, 10-20%
2. Refinement, 60-80%
3. Consolidation, 10-20%

Refinement

Question 11

What happens at kick-off?

Answer 11

The SDT understand the timebox objectives and accept them as realistic

Question 12

What is agreed at investigation?

Answer 12

1. Timebox deliverables
2. Acceptance criteria for deliverables
3. Measures of success for the timebox

Question 13

What are the timebox deliverables based on?

Answer 13

User stories

Question 14

Investigation ends with a light-touch review. True or false?

Answer 14

True - called ‘early testing’.

Question 15

What happens at Refinement? (2)

Answer 15

1. The bulk of development

2. Testing

Question 16

Refinement ends with a light-touch review. True or false?

Answer 16

True - called ‘final testing’.

Question 17

What happens at Close Out? (2)

Answer 17

1. Formal acceptance of the timebox deliverables by the Business Visionary and Technical Coordinator.
2. A short retrospective workshop to learn from the timebox.

Question 18

What do small, short bursts of work (timeboxes) do?

Answer 18

Reduce risk.

Question 19

What is a Daily Stand Up?

When do they happen?

Answer 19

A meeting at the same time and place every day, with the timebox plan visible, so that non-SDT members can listen in.

During timeboxes.

Question 20

Who facilitates the daily Stand Ups?

Answer 20

The Team Leader.

Question 21

Who is present at the Daily Stand Up? (2)

Answer 21

1. All SDT members including the Business Ambassador

2. Any Business or Technical Advisors involved in this particular timebox

Question 22

What is the fixed duration of a Daily Stand Up?

What is a good guide for timings?

Answer 22

15 minutes

2 minutes per participant + 2 minutes

Question 23

People sit down at Daily Stand Ups. True or false?

Answer 23

False - they literally all stand up around the Team Board.

Question 24

What is another name for the Team Board?

Answer 24

Information Radiator.

Question 25

Who resolves challenges the SDT face?

Answer 25

The Team Leader will try to solve them within the team. If they cannot, they escalate them to the Project Manager.

Question 26

What is the Solution Increment?

Answer 26

A set of deliverables delivered at the end of a timebox.

Question 27

The combination of MoSCoW and timeboxing ensures…

Answer 27

Predictable, on time delivery.