MoSCow or Bust: Myths About Prioritization

Feb 18, 2025

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Prioritization is more than just sorting a to-do list—it'sabout making decisions about what you will and won’t do. In this episode, Susan talks with Kent McDonald, speaker, author and product management practitioner, about the myths and misconceptions around prioritization.

Kent brings years of experience in product management,business analysis, and agile methodologies to the discussion. He’s seen a lot of prioritization issues over all those years! We explore the difference between prioritization and sequencing, why "priority" isn’t always singular, and how filters—not buckets—can help organizations make betterdecisions.

You’ll learn how to challenge traditional prioritizationtechniques, ask the right questions to uncover true business objectives, and ensure that your backlog is a strategic tool rather than a cluttered wish list. If you’ve ever struggled with stakeholder demands, competing priorities, orbacklog bloat, this conversation is for you!

🎙️Episode Highlights

• The misconceptions about prioritization

• Why organizations struggle with defining priorities

• The difference between prioritization and sequencing

• How to apply a filters, not buckets approach

• Why business analysts play a key role in prioritization

• The power of focusing on outcomes, not just lists

• Why popular frameworks like MoSCoW and RICE can be misleading

• How to navigate stakeholder resistance when making prioritization decisions

🔗 Resources

Connect withKent on LinkedIn

Read Kent’s article on prioritization that inspired this discussion

Business Analysis Live is hosted by Susan Moore, CommunityEngagement Manager with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). We talk with business analysis professionals about business analysis topics and answer questions from our live audience.

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