Using Feature Trees to Depict Project Scope

A feature tree is a visual model that organizes a set of product features to make them easy to understand and to help with scope planning.

Figure adapted by author from a Pixabay image.

A software feature consists of one or more logically related system capabilities that provide value to a user and are described by a set of functional requirements. Many business analysts use features as a way to describe the scope of a project. However, a simple list doesn’t readily show the size and complexity of various features. Nor does quickly skimming a feature list easily reveal the full scope of a project.

A feature tree is a visual analysis model that organizes a set of features in a format that makes them easy to understand and assists with allocating features and subfeatures to development iterations or product releases. See my article “Defining Project Scope: What’s In, What’s Out” for descriptions of other techniques for representing scope.

Feature Tree Format

The structure of feature trees is based on fishbone, or Ishikawa, diagrams, which are commonly used to organize information into logical groupings based on relationships. Fishbone diagrams are typically used to model cause-and-effect relationships, but feature trees use the same format…