What are two common anti-patterns during PI planning?
During PI (Program Increment) planning, teams often face various challenges that can hinder their progress and lead to suboptimal outcomes. In this article, we will discuss two common anti-patterns that teams should be aware of and strive to avoid during PI planning.
Firstly, one of the most prevalent anti-patterns is the “Overambitious Scope.” This occurs when teams set overly ambitious goals and targets for the PI, often driven by the desire to demonstrate progress or meet management expectations. As a result, they end up taking on too much work, leading to burnout, reduced quality, and missed deadlines. To combat this, teams should focus on setting realistic and achievable goals, considering their capacity and the complexity of the work involved.
Secondly, another common anti-pattern is the “Lack of Collaboration.” PI planning is a collaborative effort that requires input from various stakeholders, including team members, product owners, and management. However, when teams fail to foster effective collaboration, it can lead to misaligned priorities, conflicting objectives, and poor decision-making. To address this, teams should ensure that all stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process, encourage open communication, and establish clear roles and responsibilities for each participant. This will help in creating a shared understanding and a more cohesive plan.
By being aware of these two common anti-patterns during PI planning, teams can take proactive measures to mitigate their impact and increase their chances of successful program increments. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into each anti-pattern and provide practical tips for teams to overcome them.
