Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)

Implementing Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) effectively requires a clear understanding of its components, a collaborative approach, and consistent application across your Agile processes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to implement WSJF effectively:

Step 1: Understand WSJF Components

WSJF is a prioritization framework that calculates the relative value of tasks by dividing the Cost of Delay (CoD) by the Job Size (effort).

Formula: WSJF=Cost of Delay (CoD)/Job Size (Effort)

Cost of Delay (CoD):

This reflects the impact of not completing a task promptly. CoD is calculated based on three factors:

1. User/Business Value: How important the task is to customers or the business.
2. Time Criticality: How urgent the task is. Does it lose value if delayed?
3. Risk Reduction/Opportunity Enablement: Does the task mitigate risks or unlock new opportunities?

Job Size (Effort):

This is the estimated effort required to complete the task, often measured in story points, days, or team capacity.

Step 2: Break Down Backlog Items

• Decompose large backlog items (e.g., epics or features) into smaller, more manageable user stories or tasks.
• Ensure each item has sufficient detail for the team to estimate effort and value accurately.

Step 3: Assign Values to CoD Components

• Collaboratively score each item on User/Business Value, Time Criticality, and Risk Reduction/Opportunity Enablement.
• Use relative ranking (e.g., Fibonacci sequence or T-shirt sizing) for consistency.

Example Scores for an Item:

• User/Business Value: 5 (high value)
• Time Criticality: 3 (medium urgency)
• Risk Reduction/Opportunity Enablement: 2 (low risk/opportunity)

CoD Calculation: CoD=User/BusinessValue+TimeCriticality+RiskReduction/Opportunity Enablement

CoD=5+3+2=10

Step 4: Estimate Job Size

• Use the same estimation techniques your team uses for effort sizing, such as story points or team hours.
• Ensure estimates are relative and based on historical data or expert judgment.

Example:

• Job Size: 5 story points.

Step 5: Calculate WSJF

For each item in the backlog, calculate WSJF using the formula:

WSJF=Cost of Delay/Job Size

Example Calculation:

• Cost of Delay (CoD): 10
• Job Size: 5 WSJF=10/5=2.0

Step 6: Prioritize Based on WSJF

• Rank items in descending order of their WSJF scores.
• Items with the highest WSJF score should be prioritized, as they deliver the most value relative to their effort.

Step 7: Validate and Adjust

• Review the ranked backlog with stakeholders and the team.
• Consider dependencies, technical constraints, or team capacity to fine-tune priorities.

Step 8: Implement WSJF Consistently

• Make WSJF a regular part of backlog refinement sessions.
• Use visual tools (e.g., Kanban boards or spreadsheets) to display WSJF scores and prioritization.

Practical Example:

Scenario: Developing an E-Commerce Platform

The team has three backlog items:

Result:

• The task to improve checkout performance is prioritized first due to its highest WSJF score.

Key Considerations for Effective WSJF Implementation

1. Collaborate: Involve product owners, stakeholders, and the development team in scoring CoD and estimating effort.
2. Focus on Value: Ensure CoD reflects real customer and business priorities.
3. Avoid Overcomplication: Use simple scoring techniques to prevent delays in decision-making.
4. Revisit Regularly: Adjust WSJF scores during backlog refinement to reflect new information or changing priorities.
5. Use Tools: Leverage tools like Jira, Trello, or spreadsheets to manage WSJF calculations and rankings.

Benefits of WSJF

• Ensures focus on delivering maximum value first.
• Balances value and effort effectively.
• Facilitates data-driven decision-making.
• Helps teams adapt quickly to changing priorities.

By implementing WSJF consistently and integrating it into your Agile processes, you can ensure that your team works on the most impactful tasks, delivering value efficiently and effectively.