Prioritization techniques are used to decide on the comparative significance of business analysis information. This significance can be based on value, risk or ease of implementation.
These priorities are used to decide which business analysis information should be chosen for more analysis, which requirements should be implemented first, or how much time or detail should be assigned to the requirements.
There are four main prioritization approaches, which are:
- Grouping.
- Ranking.
- Time boxing.
- Negotiation.
When selecting a prioritization approach, the business analysts should consider the audience, their needs, and the benefit that the business analysis information provides the stakeholder.
Prioritization is an ongoing activity that should be conducted throughout the project to ensure that it remains valid.
Prioritization techniques have some components, which include:
1. Grouping: in this approach the business analysis information is classified according to predetermined categories such as high, medium, or low priority.
2. Ranking: in this approach the business analysis information is ranked from the most important to the least important.
3. Time boxing: this approach which is also known as budgeting involves prioritizing the business analysis information based on the assignment of a limited resource. It is usually used when the solution approach has been determined.
Time boxing is used to prioritize requirements based on the amount of work that the project team is able to accomplish in a fixed amount of time or with a limited budget.
4. Negotiation: in this approach the stakeholders need to reach an agreement as to how the requirements will be prioritized.
Prioritization techniques has its strengths and limitations, which include:
Strengths
- It supports harmony and trade-offs among the stakeholders which ensures that the solution value is fulfilled and the project timelines are met.
Limitations
- It might put restrained stakeholders on the spot which might in turn force them to make irrational decisions.
- The solution team may try to impact the result of the prioritization process by exaggerating the complexity of implementing specific requirements.
- The stakeholder’s perspective of the importance of the business analysis information may be subjective and not based on qualitative data.