Delve into the intriguing debate between iterative and target state planning in software development. Discover how iterative planning champions agility and quick responses to changes, while target state planning lays out a clear long-term vision. Explore the advantages of each approach, from handling uncertainty with agile methods to the structured direction of target planning. Learn key decision factors that can influence your choice and why sticking to a default method might signal trouble. This discussion offers valuable insights for effective project management.
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insights INSIGHT
Complementary Planning Philosophies
Iterative planning and target state planning are not strictly opposed philosophies; they can complement each other.
A target state provides general direction that can be updated as you learn through iterations.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Home Improvement Planning Metaphor
Replacing your home's windows, changing siding, and upgrading the shower in separate steps can result in inconsistent outcomes.
Coordinating multiple improvements simultaneously saves money and ensures better consistency in results.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
When to Use Each Planning Style
Use iterative planning when there is high uncertainty and to learn quickly from user feedback.
Favor target state planning when working in production with high coupling or when mistakes are costly.
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This episode explores the dichotomy between iterative planning and target state planning in software development, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each approach and providing decision factors to help you choose the most appropriate method for your situation.
Understand the core difference between iterative planning, which emphasises agility and responding to change with short planning horizons, and target state planning, which involves laying out a more defined long-term direction.
Discover that while iterative planning is often considered the "right way" for software development, target state planning can be valuable for setting a general direction, which can be updated as you learn.
Learn why addressing problems atomically in an iterative fashion can be valid, but that evaluating multiple potential improvements together with a target state in mind can lead to better coordination, efficiency, and consistency.
Explore the decision factors that might lead you to favour iterative planning, such as high uncertainty, learning-focused work (discovery, prototypes), and fast feedback loops.
Understand the decision factors that might lead you to favour target state planning, such as clarity on the problem, working in production with high coupling, regulatory/safety risks, slow feedback loops, high cost of mistakes, broad scope of impact, and high coordination costs.
Learn why choosing a planning method by default is a warning sign, and that considering the usefulness of upfront planning without being limited by dogma is important.
Understand that upfront planning (target state) can enable adaptation as you learn, and that negative perceptions of it often stem from costly, incorrect plans that were difficult to change.
Discover that the choice between iterative and target state planning is a spectrum rather than a pure dichotomy, and that a target state doesn't necessarily need to be a long-term plan.
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