How would you manage the demand of stakeholders and ensure the development team's velocity?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

1. Effective Communication: Maintain open and transparent communication
    channels with stakeholders to ensure that they are informed about project
    progress, challenges, and changes. Regular status updates, meetings, and
    progress reports can help manage expectations and foster trust.
 2. Clear Requirements Definition: Work closely with stakeholders to define
    clear and achievable project requirements from the outset. Document these
    requirements comprehensively to minimize misunderstandings and scope creep
    later in the project.
 3. Set Realistic Goals: Establish realistic project goals and milestones in
    collaboration with stakeholders. Avoid overpromising or committing to
    unrealistic deadlines, as this can lead to dissatisfaction and decreased
    productivity within the development team.
 4. Prioritize Tasks: Help stakeholders understand the importance of
    prioritizing tasks based on business value and urgency. Encourage them to
    focus on high-priority items first to ensure that the most critical needs
    are addressed promptly.
 5. Agile Methodologies: Consider adopting agile methodologies such as Scrum or
    Kanban, which emphasize iterative development, continuous feedback, and
    flexibility in responding to changing requirements. These methodologies can
    help maintain stakeholder engagement and keep the development team
    productive.
 6. Manage Scope Changes Effectively: Be prepared to manage scope changes
    throughout the project lifecycle. Educate stakeholders about the potential
    impact of scope changes on project timelines and resources, and work
    collaboratively to evaluate and prioritize any requested changes.
 7. Empower the Development Team: Provide the development team with the
    resources, tools, and support they need to stay productive. Encourage
    autonomy, innovation, and collaboration within the team to foster a sense of
    ownership and motivation.
 8. Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor project progress, stakeholder
    feedback, and team performance metrics. Use this information to identify
    areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to ensure that
    stakeholder expectations are managed effectively, and the development team
    remains productive.

Anonymous · Answer

I would establish a priority list dependent on the impact each ask has on the
company.  The higher the impact, the higher the priority.  I would assess how
long each ask takes and then speak with the stakeholders letting them know that
I support their ask.

How would you manage the demand of stakeholders and ensure the development team's velocity?

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