Agile Planning Onion

Understanding the Agile Planning Onion

The Agile Planning Onion is a layered framework that provides a structured approach to planning in Agile projects. It emphasizes different levels of planning, from high-level strategic visions to detailed daily tasks, ensuring alignment and adaptability throughout the project lifecycle. This model helps teams balance long-term goals with short-term actions, fostering collaboration and transparency.

The Layers of the Agile Planning Onion

1. Vision
   • At the core of the planning onion lies the vision. This is the overarching purpose or “why” behind the project.
   • Example: A fintech company might have a vision to “empower users with financial freedom through seamless digital banking.”
2. Product Strategy
   • This layer outlines how the vision will be achieved through product development. It includes high-level goals, market positioning, and competitive analysis.
   • Example: The fintech company may focus on creating an intuitive mobile app with features like real-time spending insights and investment tracking.
3. Portfolio
   • The portfolio layer organizes multiple projects and initiatives that align with the product strategy.
   • Example: Initiatives such as launching a savings feature, integrating with third-party financial tools, and expanding to new markets.
4. Product Roadmap
   • This is a time-bound plan that translates strategy into actionable goals. It focuses on delivering value incrementally.
   • Example:
     • Short-term: Launch beta testing for savings features.
     • Mid-term: Roll out spending insights.
     • Long-term: Expand app availability in Southeast Asia.
5. Release Planning
   • This layer breaks down the roadmap into smaller, manageable chunks, planning specific releases with defined objectives.
   • Example: Schedule quarterly releases for new app features, each addressing user feedback.
6. Iteration Planning
   • At this level, teams plan the work to be completed in a specific sprint or iteration. It focuses on immediate deliverables.
   • Example: A two-week sprint to develop and test the user interface for the savings feature.
7. Daily Planning
   • The outermost layer focuses on daily activities, such as team standups and task assignments, to ensure progress aligns with iteration goals.
   • Example: Daily standups to discuss progress, blockers, and updates to the task board.

How Does the Agile Planning Onion Work?

The layers of the Agile Planning Onion are interconnected, creating a cohesive planning ecosystem:

• The vision provides purpose and direction.
• Each subsequent layer adds granularity, transforming the abstract vision into actionable tasks.
• Teams revisit and adjust plans regularly to respond to changes and feedback.

Benefits of Using the Agile Planning Onion

• Clarity and Alignment: Ensures everyone understands how their work contributes to the overall vision.
• Adaptability: Encourages iterative planning, making it easier to respond to changes.
• Collaboration: Promotes teamwork across different planning levels, from strategic to operational.
• Transparency: Provides visibility into the planning process for all stakeholders.

Examples Across Industries

1. Healthcare Industry

• Vision: Improve patient outcomes through innovative telemedicine solutions.
• Strategy: Develop a telemedicine app that integrates with wearable health devices.
• Roadmap: Launch wearable integration within six months.
• Release: Quarterly updates to add new device compatibility.
• Iteration: A sprint to enable real-time data syncing.
• Daily Planning: Team standups to address syncing issues.

2. Education Industry

• Vision: Enhance online learning experiences through personalized content.
• Strategy: Build an AI-powered recommendation system for courses.
• Roadmap: Deliver the MVP within three months.
• Release: Monthly updates for additional features.
• Iteration: Develop and test recommendation algorithms.
• Daily Planning: Monitor code deployment and resolve bugs.

Using the Agile Planning Onion in a Thai Project

Scenario: Building a Tourism App for Thailand

1. Vision: Promote Thai tourism by connecting travelers with authentic local experiences.
2. Strategy: Develop an app that offers curated tours, cultural insights, and booking services.
3. Roadmap:
   • Short-term: Launch basic booking features for Bangkok tours.
   • Mid-term: Add multilingual support and payment options.
   • Long-term: Expand offerings to other regions in Thailand.
4. Release: Quarterly releases to introduce new regions and features.
5. Iteration: Two-week sprints to create and refine the booking interface.
6. Daily Planning: Daily scrums to track progress on coding and testing.

Conclusion

The Agile Planning Onion provides a structured yet flexible approach to planning that aligns with Agile principles. By addressing different layers, teams can connect their daily work with broader strategic goals, ensuring adaptability and alignment. Whether in healthcare, education, or a local Thai project, this framework offers a clear path to delivering value incrementally while staying focused on the ultimate vision.