Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) is a prioritization model used to sequence work items (such as requirements, features, or tasks) to maximize economic benefit. Rooted in lean manufacturing principles, WSJF is particularly effective in Agile development environments and is widely used in framework…Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) is a prioritization model used to sequence work items (such as requirements, features, or tasks) to maximize economic benefit. Rooted in lean manufacturing principles, WSJF is particularly effective in Agile development environments and is widely used in frameworks like SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)The WSJF formula is calculated by dividing the Cost of Delay (CoD) by the job size (or duration):WSJF = Cost of Delay / Job SizeCost of Delay represents the economic impact of not delivering a requirement, considering factors like user/business value (the benefit gained from the requirement), time criticality (urgency due to deadlines or market windows), and risk reduction/opportunity enablement (how the requirement mitigates risk or enables new opportunities). Job size is an estimate of the effort or time required to complete the requirementBy quantifying both the urgency (through Cost of Delay) and the effort (through Job Size), WSJF helps prioritize requirements that deliver the highest value in the shortest time. This approach ensures that resources are focused on work that offers the greatest economic return promptlyImplementing WSJF involves:1. Estimating Cost of Delay for each requirement by scoring user/business value, time criticality, and risk reduction/opportunity enablement2. Estimating Job Size, typically using relative sizing techniques common in Agile methodologies3. Calculating the WSJF score for each requirement4. Sequencing requirements from highest to lowest WSJF score for implementationWSJF promotes objective decision-making by relying on quantifiable estimates rather than subjective judgments. It encourages breaking down large requirements into smaller, more manageable pieces, facilitating faster delivery of value and increased adaptability to changeChallenges with WSJF include the difficulty of accurately estimating Cost of Delay and Job Size, and the potential for bias if stakeholders overstate values. It's essential to calibrate scoring scales and ensure consistency in estimation practicesOverall, WSJF is a powerful tool for balancing the need to deliver high-value requirements quickly while effectively managing limited resources. It aligns work with business priorities and strategic goals, enhancing the organization's ability to respond swiftly to market demands and opportunities.
Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF): A Comprehensive Guide
Why WSJF is Important
Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) is a prioritization model that plays a crucial role in business analysis and project management, especially in agile environments. It's important because:
• It provides an objective, quantitative approach to prioritization • It helps teams maximize the economic benefit of development efforts • It aligns with lean and agile principles by focusing on delivering high-value items first • It considers both business value and time sensitivity • It supports data-driven decision making, reducing subjective biases
What is WSJF?
WSJF is a prioritization technique developed as part of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It's a calculation model used to sequence jobs (features, capabilities, or epics) to produce maximum economic benefit. The model is based on the principle of minimizing cost of delay by doing the shortest, highest-value jobs first.
At its core, WSJF is a ratio of two factors:
WSJF = Cost of Delay ÷ Job Size
Where: • Cost of Delay (CoD) represents the economic impact of delaying the job • Job Size represents the effort required to complete the job
How WSJF Works
Step 1: Calculate Cost of Delay
In the SAFe framework, Cost of Delay is determined by combining three factors:
Cost of Delay = User-Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction-Opportunity Enablement
Where: • User-Business Value: The relative value to customers and business • Time Criticality: How time-sensitive the job is (includes fixed deadlines, first-mover advantage, etc.) • Risk Reduction-Opportunity Enablement: The value of reducing risks or enabling future opportunities
Each of these three factors is typically rated on a scale (often using the Fibonacci sequence: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21) with higher numbers indicating higher value.
Step 2: Estimate Job Size
Job Size is estimated using relative sizing, often using story points or t-shirt sizes converted to numeric values. This represents the effort, complexity, or resources required to complete the job.
Step 3: Calculate WSJF
Divide the Cost of Delay by the Job Size:
WSJF = Cost of Delay ÷ Job Size
Step 4: Prioritize based on WSJF score
Items with higher WSJF scores are prioritized higher. This means you're delivering the most value per unit of effort first.
Based on WSJF, the priority order would be: B, A, C
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on WSJF
1. Know the formula Memorize the basic formula: WSJF = Cost of Delay ÷ Job Size And remember that Cost of Delay = User-Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction-Opportunity Enablement
2. Understand the scales • Know that relative scaling is typically used (often Fibonacci numbers) • Higher numbers mean higher value/bigger size • The purpose is to compare items relatively, not to assign absolute values
3. Watch for calculation questions • Practice calculating WSJF given the component values • Be careful with the arithmetic - remember it's CoD divided by Job Size • Check that higher WSJF scores indicate higher priority
4. Look for conceptual understanding questions • Understand that WSJF aims to maximize economic benefit • Know that it favors high-value, low-effort items • Recognize it as a technique suitable for agile and lean approaches
5. Be ready for application scenarios • Practice applying WSJF to scenario-based questions • Pay attention to clues about business value, time sensitivity, and effort • Remember that the goal is to get the most value delivered quickly
6. Common pitfalls to avoid • Mixing up the numerator and denominator • Forgetting that all three components contribute to Cost of Delay • Assuming higher raw CoD always means higher priority (job size matters too) • Thinking that WSJF is only about business value (time criticality and risk/opportunity are equally important)
7. Context considerations • Recognize when WSJF is appropriate (and when it might not be) • Understand its relationship to other prioritization techniques • Know that it's particularly useful in scaled agile environments
When studying for your PMI-PBA exam, make sure you can both calculate WSJF correctly and understand the underlying principles that make it valuable as a prioritization technique.
PMI-PBA - Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) Example Questions
Test your knowledge of Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
Question 1
When applying WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) prioritization, which component is typically considered the most significant in driving business value?
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of using Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) in agile projects?
Question 3
In calculating WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First), which of the following formulas is used to determine the final prioritization score?
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