Timebox

The method to unite a timely result with the possibility to utilize progressive insight is called 'timeboxing'. A timebox is a upfront determined budget (in time and money) for which we, together with the customer build a substantial part of the information system.

Timeboxing effectively means that the budget in time and money is fixed, while the functionality to be built still may vary. Exactly what is developed, is decided during the timebox by means of prioritising. At the start – e.g. a Survey – requirements are defined each with its priority. Based on the requirements an estimate is made, which then is fixed. When requirements change the priorities are reviewed. Our experience is that actual implementing of requirements and nice to haves always leads to new insight, shifts in priorities and capacity claims.

This doesn't mean we exceed the timebox. The agreement is to stay within the planned budget (with a margin of 10%).

A timebox is long enough to show substantial result and at the same time short enough to timely reach an evaluation point. We deliberately estimate a tight budget with the intention to focus on the requirements and so limit the time spent on "nice to haves".

To keep the project manager informed:

At the end of the day we do a short evaluation: benefits-concerns-actions,

The business modelers write a short report, and

periodically we report time spent and estimate the amount of time needed complete the remaining subjects of the timebox.