Shape Up: Introducing A New Approach to Product Development
Standard agile methodologies, such as Kanban and Scrum, have long dominated the fast-paced world of product development. However, Basecamp developed a framework called Shape Up that offers a distinct perspective on operating initiatives and generating results.
Shape Up stresses avoiding frequent mistakes and inefficiencies, hence promoting a more intentional and organized approach to product production.
What is Shape Up?
Shape Up is a product development tool that helps teams better define, create, and deliver features. It emphasizes well-defined challenges, group planning, and predetermined development deadlines.
Shape Up, unlike traditional Agile techniques based on backlogs and sprints, operates on a six-week cycle separated into three phases: shaping, betting, and building.
1. Shaping
During this phase, the team identifies and outlines problems to solve. This requires extensive research, brainstorming, and sketching to ensure that the problem is obvious and that the proposed solution is viable. The work should be “shaped” into a well-defined bundle appropriate for the six-week cycle.
2. Betting
After the shaping process is complete, the team chooses which projects to work on. Shapers evaluate the planned work and use a betting table to place bets on those projects they believe will deliver the most value. This method ensures that only the most significant initiatives receive top priority.
3. Building
Executing the chosen projects is the final step. For six weeks, teams work on specified tasks to generate a meaningful and functioning increment. After the six-week development cycle, there is a two-week cool-down period for maintenance, introspection, and planning for the next one.
Improving an eCommerce Checkout Process
To show the shape-up technique, let us use a specific case. Consider an online retailer seeking to lower cart abandonment rates by streamlining the checkout system.
Shaping
The product team starts by looking at statistics to try to figure out why consumers drop their baskets. They pinpoint important problems such as a convoluted checkout procedure, unanticipated delivery charges, and insufficient payment alternatives.
The team brainstorms possible remedies, such as simplifying the checkout process, providing explicit shipping information up front, and incorporating additional payment gates. They outline the scope of the project, ensuring its sustainability within a six-week timeframe.
Betting
The shaped project is shown at the betting table. Stakeholders evaluate the offered solutions and their likely influence on cart abandonment rates. They compare this project to other shaped initiatives and determine which one to prioritize.
The checkout process enhancement project was chosen because of its ability to considerably raise conversion rates.
Building
After selecting the project, the development team begins working on improving the checkout procedure. Over six weeks, they will simplify the form, incorporate additional payment alternatives, and provide clear delivery information. They run usability tests and make iterative changes based on user feedback.
Benefits of Shape Up
Shape Up offers several advantages over traditional methodologies:
- Clarity and Focus: The teams have a clear idea of what needs to be done, which reduces uncertainty and scope creep. This is accomplished by tailoring the work on the front end.
- Strategic Prioritization: The betting process ensures that the most valuable initiatives are prioritized, aligning development efforts with business objectives.
- Fixed Timeframes: The six-week cycles create a consistent rhythm for development, allowing teams to plan and execute more successfully.
- Collaboration: Shape Up encourages cross-functional collaboration during the shaping phase, fostering better communication and alignment.
Shape Up is a disciplined yet adaptable method of product creation that solves typical problems and advances more efficient value delivery. Teams may negotiate the complexity of product development with more confidence and success by concentrating on well-defined problems, strategic priorities, and focused execution.
I hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions or additional points to add to the topic, please feel free to leave a comment.
