Product Management playbook/Module 4 · Prioritisation

Day 32 / 100 · Prioritisation · Cost of delay

What does waiting cost?

Value isn't the only question. Some work loses value every week it waits; some becomes worthless after a date.

Cost of delay ÷ Duration

CD3: What To Do First

Expedite

Big cost right now. Incidents, security holes.

Fixed date

Worthless or penalised after a deadline. Regulation, events.

Standard

Value lost steadily for every week it waits.

Intangible

Little cost today, big cost later. Tech debt, skills.

Source: Black Swan Farming ↗

Ask what waiting costs, not just what it’s worth.