Goals and Epics

Outcome

This is an activity that helps the participants understand and visualize the new path to production after local optimization.

Audience

This is a group-wide activity

When to use

Activity

A facilitator walks through the current state of the VSM and builds a future state VSM for the team to strive for as they build the new product.

The services are listed in a column, along with build/buy/open-source indicators with examples. A conversation ensues to decide which tools can be used.

Preparation

Whiteboard, large sticky notes, and dry-erase markers.

Process

A facilitator draws the desired value stream while soliciting input from the participants based on the previous local optimizations. New epics are written as changes are made to the existing process. Keep the results posted visibly during the rest of the inception, as a reminder of the current and future states as we develop the product.

Group size

Timing

Try to keep this exercise less than an hour.

Example

Notes

Keep the results posted visibly during the rest of the inception, as a reminder of what issues need to be addressed as we develop the product.