This standard ensures that the active work being done consistently reflects current business priorities, keeping teams focused on what matters most. It promotes agility, reduces wasted effort, and accelerates value delivery.
Aligned to our "Limit Work in Progress (WIP)" and "Outcome-Driven Development" policies, this standard helps teams adapt quickly to shifting needs. Without it, misaligned work undermines strategic goals, slows feedback, and wastes resources.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| People & Culture | Work is often chosen based on familiarity or convenience rather than business need. |
| Process & Governance | No structured prioritisation process exists; priorities are unclear or reactive. |
| Technology & Tools | Tools offer limited visibility into what work is aligned to key business outcomes. |
| Measurement & Metrics | No tracking of alignment between work and business priorities. |
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| People & Culture | Teams begin reviewing alignment in stand-ups or planning, but discipline varies. |
| Process & Governance | Product owners prioritise work items based on stated business needs. |
| Technology & Tools | Backlogs and boards reflect priority, but changes are updated manually. |
| Measurement & Metrics | Some periodic checks validate alignment, but they are not routine. |
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| People & Culture | Teams commit only to work that clearly aligns with defined business outcomes. |
| Process & Governance | Structured prioritisation ensures WIP reflects strategic goals and product direction. |
| Technology & Tools | Digital tools highlight WIP aligned to OKRs, roadmaps, or business metrics. |
| Measurement & Metrics | Alignment is assessed during planning and retrospectives, with evidence captured. |
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| People & Culture | Teams use data to evaluate alignment and re-prioritise in real time. |
| Process & Governance | Regular cadence exists to adjust WIP based on outcome reviews. |
| Technology & Tools | Systems flag misaligned work and recommend backlog reshaping based on value. |
| Measurement & Metrics | Metrics track % of WIP tied to high-priority initiatives or value streams. |
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| People & Culture | Continuous alignment is part of culture; teams challenge and refine priorities proactively. |
| Process & Governance | Dynamic workflows adjust work in response to real-time feedback and impact. |
| Technology & Tools | Integrated platforms automatically visualise work alignment across portfolios. |
| Measurement & Metrics | Business impact of WIP is routinely measured to improve prioritisation heuristics. |