Release Targeting

Validate the WHAT, drive down uncertainty of WHEN, and learn fast.
Balancing capacity and demand while responsibly managing WIP improves efficiency and flow through the organization and optimizes time to value.

Purpose

  • Ensures that there is a plan to effectively orchestrate and manage dependencies and balance capacity with demand.
    • Ensure credible release planning
    • Identify & plan for dependencies
    • Balance capacity & demand

Inputs

  • Stacked-rank opportunities by portfolio
  • Funding allocation 
  • Capability assessments
  • Hypothesis outcomes
  • Hypothesis solutions

Activities

  • Identify candidate features for planning and potential release
  • Identify and capture candidate features for next release based on priority and dependency
  • Determine capacity
  • Plan risks & dependencies
  • Collaborate with the Product Team(s) to ensure credible Release Plan
  • Create, communicate, and align on release objectives with stakeholders

Definition of Done

  • Epics scheduled to completion
  • Backlog for defined planning horizon
  • Portfolio Roadmap sequenced and updated
  • Product Backlog updated
  • Portfolio Planning Sheet
  • Updated Roadmaps
  • Updated Risk Assessment
  • Release Planning Signoff – Initiative/Epic
  • Validated Epic Definition of Ready

RACI

  • R – Product Category Team, Product Line Team
  • A – Product Category Team
  • C – Product Management
  • I – Delivery Team