Topic Title: Helping Stakeholders Understand Iterative Processes

Initiator: Shani Fails

Participants: Steve Sladoje, Chris Levine, Amanda Ippolito, Patrick McClain, Theresa Travis, Violet Nahrold

Discussion Highlights:

Customers are committed to ensuring products are done and perfect, but is there really such a thing? Life itself is iterative, so how can PO’s help stakeholders understand this concept with projects?

Ideas for Action/Next Steps:

• Use games (such as penny factory) to demonstrate that big things take time
• Embrace change from stakeholders
• Introduce releases/agreement on MVPs
• IKIWISI = I’ll know it when I see it (usually describes how stakeholders feel)
• Establish an MOU = memorandum of understanding
• Measure lead time or the time it takes to complete project from when it’s thought of until it is in production.
• MVP = minimum viable product (establish MVP with stakeholder)
• Get support from company leadership
• Build a sense of safety among stakeholders from the top down
• Get strong support from your scrum master
• Find ways to reduce stakeholder anxiety/fear
• Deliver constantly – deliver MVPs