In the world of software development, there are many ways to ensure that your teams are working on what matters most. One popular technique is known as "value-oriented development." This approach focuses on ensuring that each and every investment made by your firm provides the greatest possible reward. In this article, we will discuss how value-oriented development can be used to make sure your teams are working on the right projects, and provide some tips for getting started.
Whenever starting a new project it can be beneficial to identify the outcomes you're hoping to achieve. At first, these outcomes may not be very specific or measurable. However, given some refinement you should be able to produce variations of your desired outcomes that are not only specific, but realistic and measurable. These outcomes may generally include targets that aim to improve performance, increase reliability, reduce cost, mitigate risk, and other ambitious goals. This is where most teams will stop, and will use these objectives and outcomes to determine the opportunity cost for engaging in one activity versus another. This is where a "value-oriented development" approach can help improve that decision making activity for more effective results.
All activity within an organization is in service of the goals and objectives of the firm as a whole. As a result it is imperative that work be done which advances the organization towards those goals. A "value-oriented development" approach helps to ensure that this occurs by identifying and then prioritizing work which will have the greatest impact on meeting those desired outcomes.
In order to practice a value-oriented development approach, there are several steps your team can take:
Make sure your team is aligned and supportive of the organization's goals. This should go without saying, but too often than not it's a fairly abstract connection. This is a frequently overlooked role of a leader which is to do more than communicate objectives, but build support for them.
Ensure a clear, and simple link to how the work your team is doing advances the organization's goals. This means a value proposition which is clear and easy to understand. Make it easy for everyone on your team to see how their work connects to these overarching goals. This can sometimes best be accomplished by having a narrative to which people can relate, sometimes from the point of view of a customer or client of the organization.
Make sure the work your team is doing is directed at improving key performance indicators. This will help to ensure that the value of the work being done is clear, and that it's easy to track progress. Engage in regular review and reflection. This will help to ensure that your team remains focused on the goals which matter most, and allows for course correction when necessary.
Following these steps will help to ensure that your team is focused on the work which provides the greatest value to your organization. By doing so, you can be confident that you are making the most of your team's time and talent, and ensuring that your organization remains successful for years to come.