During Which Pi Planning Activity Are Stories Written And Sequenced

During Which PI Planning Activity Are Stories Written and Sequenced?

Planning a Program Increment (PI) is a crucial activity in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It's a collaborative event where teams across a program align on a shared vision, plan their work for the next PI (typically 8-12 weeks), and identify dependencies. A critical aspect of this planning is the writing and sequencing of stories. This isn't confined to a single activity, but rather a process that spans several key phases within the PI Planning event. Let's delve deeper into the specific activities where story writing and sequencing takes place.

Pre-PI Planning Activities: Laying the Foundation

While the bulk of story writing and sequencing happens during PI Planning, the groundwork is laid well beforehand. This preparatory phase is crucial for a smooth and efficient planning event. Teams shouldn't walk into PI Planning with blank slates.

1. Backlog Refinement: The Genesis of Stories

The most significant pre-PI Planning activity is backlog refinement. This iterative process is where stories are initially conceived, written, and sized. Teams, often working with product owners and stakeholders, analyze features, break them down into smaller, manageable user stories, and estimate the effort required to complete each one. These refined user stories should be ready before PI Planning begins. They should be:

• Clearly defined: With acceptance criteria and detailed descriptions to avoid ambiguity.
• Independently estimable: Small enough to be tackled independently by a team within a single sprint.
• Sized appropriately: Using story points or other relative estimation techniques to understand the effort involved.

Keywords: Backlog Refinement, User Story, Acceptance Criteria, Story Points, Estimation, PI Planning Preparation

2. Program Backlog Review: Aligning with the Program Vision

Before PI Planning, the program backlog needs review. This ensures alignment between individual team backlogs and the overall program objectives. This collaborative review often involves product management, program management, and representatives from each Agile Release Train (ART). This step helps identify:

• Dependencies between teams: Highlighting areas where one team's work relies on another's output.
• Potential risks and impediments: Proactively identifying potential obstacles to prevent delays.
• Opportunities for improvement: Refining the overall program strategy based on emerging insights.

Keywords: Program Backlog, Program Objectives, Dependencies, Risks, Agile Release Train (ART)

During PI Planning: Collaboration and Commitment

The actual PI Planning event itself is where the real story sequencing and finalization occurs. It's a highly interactive and collaborative process, not a solitary task.

3. Drafting the PI Plan: Initial Story Sequencing

During the initial draft of the PI plan, teams begin to sequence their stories based on dependencies and priorities. This is an iterative process. Teams will:

• Review their refined backlogs: Prioritize stories based on business value, dependencies, and risk.
• Identify dependencies: Determine which stories rely on other teams' output and plan accordingly.
• Estimate the capacity: Analyze their capacity to determine how many stories they can realistically commit to completing within the PI.
• Initial sequencing: Create a tentative sequence for their stories, based on the above factors.

Keywords: PI Plan, Dependencies, Prioritization, Capacity Planning, Story Sequencing

4. Team Breakout Sessions: Refining the Sequence

Team breakout sessions are essential for detailed planning. Here, teams discuss their story sequences with one another to resolve any conflicts or discrepancies. This includes:

• Dependency management: Working with dependent teams to coordinate their work and mitigate risks.
• Risk mitigation: Identifying and addressing potential risks and roadblocks.
• Capacity adjustment: Revising their capacity estimations based on discussions and identified risks.
• Final story sequencing: Finalizing the sequence for their stories, considering all factors.

Keywords: Team Breakout Session, Dependency Management, Risk Mitigation, Capacity Adjustment

5. PI Planning Adjustments & Refinement: Iterative Process

PI Planning isn't a one-time, static event. It's an iterative process. Following the initial planning, there are adjustment sessions where:

• Team members meet: To discuss any changes, issues, or concerns.
• Dependencies reviewed: Any new dependencies are identified and resolved.
• Stories may be adjusted: Minor changes might occur, such as breaking down a larger story or re-sequencing based on new information.
• Capacity recalculated: Capacity assessments can be adjusted to match the current plan.

Keywords: PI Planning Adjustments, Iteration, Dependency Resolution, Capacity Adjustments

6. Program Review: Finalizing the PI Plan

Finally, there's a program review session where all teams present their plans. The purpose here is not just to present what has been planned, but also:

• Confirm alignment: Ensure the individual team plans contribute to the overall program objectives.
• Identify conflicts: Highlight and resolve any remaining conflicts between team plans.
• Obtain program management buy-in: Achieve final approval and commitment for the PI plan.
• Generate Program PI Plan: This represents a formal agreement between the teams and stakeholders.

Keywords: Program Review, Alignment, Conflict Resolution, Program Management Buy-in, PI Plan Approval

Post-PI Planning: Continuous Improvement

Even after the PI Planning event, story refinement continues. The ongoing process incorporates learnings from the planning session and incorporates feedback loops:

7. Continuous Story Refinement: Agile and Iterative

The process isn't finalized after the PI Planning. Agile methodologies dictate continuous improvement. This includes:

• Regular backlog grooming: Teams continue to refine and update their stories throughout the PI based on new information and feedback.
• Adaptive planning: The plan itself is never set in stone. Adjustments are made as needed based on progress and changing circumstances.
• Feedback loops: Regular feedback sessions help identify and correct any issues with the story sequence and overall planning.

Keywords: Continuous Improvement, Backlog Grooming, Adaptive Planning, Feedback Loops

Conclusion: A Collaborative and Iterative Journey

The writing and sequencing of stories in a SAFe PI Planning context isn't a singular activity but a multifaceted process that unfolds across multiple stages. It's a highly collaborative effort involving product owners, program management, and development teams, and relies heavily on iterative refinement and adaptive planning. By understanding these stages, organizations can improve their PI planning processes, resulting in more efficient and effective program delivery. The emphasis on pre-planning, collaborative sessions, and iterative refinement makes the entire process agile and adaptable to changing requirements. This meticulous approach ensures a well-defined, achievable, and aligned PI plan, paving the way for successful program execution.