capgemini_logo

Tuesday, October 26th 2010 User group meeting

"Agreeing on Business Value by Systems Thinking" by Pascal Van Cauwenberghe

Abstract:

We talk a lot about "maximizing business value". We ask business people and product managers to prioritise by estimating the business value of user stories. But what exactly do we mean by business value?

Over the past few years we've worked with many teams to define their "Business Value Model", a clear definition of the value a project will bring to the organisation. The exercise hasn't always been easy but it has always brought significant benefits:

  • Measurable business value in units that impact the organisation (such as revenue €€€, customer satisfaction, staff retention)
  • Everybody involved was more motivated because there was a clear reason for the project and they finally understood what it was
  • The whole team was aligned around one vision because we had clear criteria to define success
  • We came up with more innovative solutions because everybody on the team, not only "the business" or "product managers/owners" could take product-related decisions based on the model
  • We could deliver a lot faster than anybody expected because the Business Value Model allowed us to easily distinguish between value-adding and non-value-adding features
  • We spent a lot less time writing and prioritising user stories because we were able to derive the user stories from the value definitions
  • The Business Value Model guided us to explore new product ideas: the business value model was a hypothesis that we could test and refine each time we released or performed user testing.
In this interactive tutorial you'll apply some Systems Thinking techniques, such as the Diagram of Effects and Intermediate Objectives Map, to define the business value model of an example project. We'll show you the techniques we use and discuss how you can apply those techniques in your context so that you'll be ready to start building a business value model with your team

Feedback of the participants on Pascal's blog

Gallery of created models on Pascal's blog

Agenda:

  • 18:00 - 19:00 - Welcome with snacks and drinks
  • 19:00 - 21:00 - Session
Address: Bessenveldstraat 19, B-1831 Diegem, Belgium

Register here (click on 'Edit this page' at the bottom of the menu on the right)

  1. Pascal Van Cauwenberghe, Nayima
  2. Martine Van Nuffel, Capgemini
  3. Inge Van Damme, Capgemini
  4. Alexander Nowak, Capgemini
  5. Vera Peeters, Tryx
  6. Sébastien Barbieri, RTBF
  7. Dirk Devriendt, 3E
  8. Thanos Kyriazis, 3E
  9. Koen Breemersch, Itineris
  10. Kris Marlein, Itineris
  11. Bertrand Larsy, Expansive Passion
  12. Stephan Huez, Steria
  13. Benny Schaeken - Prodata Mobility Systems
  14. Franky Jonckheere - Prodata Mobility Systems
  15. Jurgen Vanoverschelde - Prodata Mobility Systems
  16. Daniel Peeters - Prodata Mobility Systems
  17. Michiel Hofkens - Prodata Mobility Systems
  18. Jose Juan Luengo - Prodata Mobility Systems
  19. Julien Biezemans, JBpro's Interactive
  20. Marc Lainez
  21. Simon Schoeters
  22. Philippe De Bruycker
  23. Koen Bonte, IHC
  24. Johan Peeters, Johan Peeters BVBA
  25. Sam Peeters
  26. Erik Uittenhove, Capgemini
  27. Jetro Wils - Prodata Mobility Systems
  28. Johan Pelckmans - Dover Product ID Group
  29. Peter Speleers, Capgemini
  30. Sven Clarysse, Cronos