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Timebox Development: A Rapid Application Development Technique

Timebox Development is a RAD technique that focuses on schedule, imposes a fixed time limit on a project, and avoids scope creep. This approach allows for redefining the product to fit the schedule and controls product definition. It is best suited for projects with essential features that can be implemented within 60-120 days.

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Timebox Development: A Rapid Application Development Technique

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  1. Timebox Development Instructor: Manfred Huber Partially adapted from Mike O’Dell and Bill Farrior

  2. FUNCTIONALITY DEADLINE What is a Timebox? CSE 4317

  3. What is a Timebox? • A Rapid Application Development (RAD) technique that: • focuses on schedule • imposes a fixed time limit of a project • focuses on critical requirements • forbids (further) scope creep • does NOT work for all types of projects • very large projects • projects in core business area(s) • is often deployed with other RAD techniques, such as Evolutionary Prototyping, CASE, SWAT and JAD CSE 4317

  4. Why Consider Timebox? • Things don’t always go as planned • Scope changes • Estimates were in accurate • People • Timebox Development provides a way to redefine the product to fit the schedule • Schedule is the priority • Avoids the “90% complete” problem • Controls product definition CSE 4317

  5. Need for a 90-Day Lifecycle • First used at DuPont • Scott Shultz • Documented by James Martin • “...Better to have a system of limited functionality working quickly than to wait two years for a comprehensive system.” • The application must be built so that it can be added to quickly The two year wait... CSE 4317

  6. Scope Creep Problem • Users/developers keep adding  design slow to converge • By placing a rigid limit on delivery, developers are less inclined to experiment • Excessive functionality in software and electronic products often goes beyond usefulness Enough, already! CSE 4317

  7. The Timebox Approach • Implementation/construction phase practice • Implement essential features first, then other features as (if) time permits • The product “grows like an onion” with the essential features at the core • Prototype and evolve approach • Requires heavy end-user/sponsor involvement • Usually last 60-120 days CSE 4317

  8. The Timebox Product Rejected Timebox Development Build & Evolve Prototype System Definition/ Priorities Evaluate/ Deliver System Prototype Request for Change End-user Review & Feedback Review Board Need for large- scale change or enhancement CSE 4317

  9. Review Board • Signs off on system definition (priorities) prior to timebox • Monitors progress • Evaluates completed system • YES / NO decision on completion. • Decision made quickly on each stage • Includes: • executive owner • user representative(s) • QA professional CSE 4317

  10. Timebox Requirements • Clearly prioritized list of features • What’s essential and what’s not • Minimum core feature set • Realistic schedule estimate • Right kind of project • Ability for extremely rapid turn-around on prototypes (Evolutionary Prototyping?) • Sufficient end user involvement • Quick feedback is essential (JAD?) CSE 4317

  11. Variation: Parallel Timeboxing • Interfaces among subsystems determined, and held constant • Complex projects broken down into very small projects, which proceed in parallel TIME  CSE 4317

  12. Dupont Experience • Extraordinary productivity improvements with Timeboxing on certain projects • 80 function points per PM with Timeboxing vs. 15-25 without • No projects rejected with Timeboxing • Risk lowered/eliminated in many projects CSE 4317

  13. Advantages Speed Quick feedback on basic functionality Smaller teams reduce communication overhead Problem tasks become visible Can be used to save a doomed project Disadvantages May be attempted as a last-ditch effort on unsuitable projects Improperly applied (wrong project or wrong approach), may sacrifice quality instead of features Summary: Timeboxing CSE 4317

  14. Keys to Success with Timeboxing • Only use for projects that can be implemented within 60-120 days • Ensure that all stakeholders agree on minimum core feature set and prioritization of features • Be sure that team has bought in to aggressive Timebox schedule- and motivated properly to support it. • Focus on quality throughout the process • Cut feature if necessary, don’t extend the Timebox deadline CSE 4317

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