Search | Blog | Contact

The Magic Funnel 79

Posted by tottinger Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:18:00 GMT

At a planning meeting, the developers on the team offer up some amount of work they are able to do. This capacity is termed velocity. The customer part of the team then selects enough user stories to consume all of the offered capacity. This is simple negotiation, but that hardly tells the story. What is happening on the customer side is a magic funnel.

All kinds of stories come pouring into the customer group. Some are from actual users in the field who want improvements to existing features. Some suggest entirely new areas of functionality into which the program could expand to good effect. Some are from the operations group, generally describing ways to make the product more reliable, configurable, or manageable. Some are from the developers who realized that some small changes in code could provide large changed in capability or usability. Some are from external regulatory bodies, some are from quality control, but for the most part they’re all good ideas and many have urgency.

When the magic funnel is working, we pour all these stories into the top, and the thing that falls out the bottom is the single most important, urgent task we could possibly do. When it comes time for a new iteration, we fill in our allotted space with whatever comes out the end of the funnel. Whatever we start doing on Monday, it is the best thing we could possibly start doing. We know that it is true because it came out of the funnel that way.

Sadly, magic funnels are hard to come by. We approximate them with human beings in multi-disciplinary small groups. If we leave the funnel purely in the hands of operations, then operational stories are the first to come out. If we leave the funnel in the hands of marketing people, we tend to do things that are more speculative even though the product users don’t really need them right now. If it’s sales, then whatever will sell more product this month will be the first thing out of the funnel. Give control to customer support and we find ourselves constantly appeasing customers and not moving forward on larger issues. If we leave it to developers, it will tend to turn out those stories that improve the experience of developing the application. Of course the problem is about conflicting perspectives (all of them right!) with competing desires being processed in fixed time.

I’m not an expert in creating magic funnels, though it would be a very interesting direction to take at this point in my agile coaching career. I believe that the answer is ultimately to be found in people working together, well-informed people arguing and debating and even trading favors.

I think that part of the answer is Covey-style prioritizing to select the urgent and important (Q1), then the important items that aren’t urgent (Q2), and holding all unimportant work until there is nothing better to do.

Importance in this case relates to how much the change will affect the future of the product and the company. This is not just a matter of closing a contract or soothing an angry customer. It may be that the future is larger and brighter than our immediate concerns. Immediacy is “urgency”, but the leverage to create a more greater future is “importance”. I had to read Covey’s First Things First several times to really understand the difference, as may the kind reader. But I did manage to absorb the fact that until you know what you want your future to be, you don’t know what is important.

But imagine how great it will be when you have established your magic funnel, and the work being assigned to each iteration really is the most important and valuable thing that you could do next. Imagine what it would be like if you really were building the future you would like to live in.

Comments

Leave a response

  1. Avatar
    gucci louis vuitton shoes about 1 year later:

    Welcome to Freshstyleshop, the hottest urban clothing site on the net! We offer great products from Gucci sneakers, prada sneakers, LV shoes, True Religion Jeans and many more! Our selection of products are always increasing for the fact that we have new items added weekly to our selection. All products on our site are already marked down 40-60% off retail price. Freshstyleshop also backs all its orders with a 110% satisfaction guarantee, making sure that our customers are left satisfied with the hottest products on the net.

  2. Avatar
    php tutorial about 1 year later:

    Idea of magic funnel is really great.

  3. Avatar
    ClubPenguinCheats about 1 year later:

    All products on our site are already marked down 40-60% off retail price. Freshstyleshop also backs all its orders with a 110% satisfaction guarantee, making sure that our customers are left satisfied with the hottest products on the net.

  4. Avatar
    psn card about 1 year later:

    Hah,that was really funny. I even ordered an essay paper on it.These online essay writers made an excellent essay for me.

  5. Avatar
    ipad video converter over 2 years later:

    this is a good post ,you can have a it

  6. Avatar
    Blue And White Bedding over 2 years later:

    I’ve never heard of a ‘magic funnel’ so this was an interesting concept- a valuable one at that! Prioritizing is definitely one of the most difficult things to do effectively and efficiently so it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks so.

  7. Avatar
    Cut-off jeans over 2 years later:

    Flower skirt seems to be in summer, forever ChanYi as thin as the flower skirt, can not only a cool summer, and all sorts of design and color, let you do in summer “ever-changing princess”, plus all sorts of collocation, individual character is dye-in-the-wood, the flower skirt collocation of snow, cowboy ma3 jia3, formed the integral style of contrast, let you both cooling and handsome!Tie-in skill: flower skirt handsome ma3 jia3

  8. Avatar
    Ruffled jacket over 2 years later:

    Romance is out of summer, the perfect period. Outing Romantic, melting snow spins dress is today season vogue girls wear build up the important sheet is tasted, using qualitative produce elegant light spins the romantic sense, plus the broken this year popular element , presents different female glamour. The frivolous fabrics spins or cultivate one’s morality is best, clear and elegant texture to help you hide fat shape, block butterfly arm.

  9. Avatar
    cheap vps over 2 years later:

    presents different female glamour. The frivolous fabrics spins or cultivate one’s morality is best, clear and elegant texture to help you hide fat shape, block butterfly arm.cheap VPS

  10. Avatar
    jimmy choo over 2 years later:

    Tamara Mellon for this brand by a master hand with East London shoemakerjimmy choo was founded in 1996. Tamara aware of the practical fashion footwear market needs, is therefore logical to introduce this stylish footwear product line. Jimmy Choo shop Knightsbridge in London first opened its first stores that, with fun and full of beautiful and “sexy just right” design, soon to become well recognized creative footwear. In 1998, jimmy choo shoes was opened its first New York branch, then in 1999 opened its second store in Los Angeles. Brand fame, popular young Hollywood family, a red carpet on the best choice, and even jumped for the Oscar winner Halle Berry and Hilary Swank so lucky star mark. These jimmy choo handbags, jimmy choo pumps, jimmy choo sandals, jimmy choo boots have really revolutionized footwear that you should be glad to add to your collection – chick, cool and functional. You could not ask for more and it’s well worth the money you spent on them.

  11. Avatar
    UK Property Auctions over 2 years later:

    The Magic Funnel – Great topic and I just like this.

  12. Avatar
    suprasshoes over 2 years later:

    Supra Skytop II Shoes are known as their tough, durable fabric because of the extreme nature of skateboarding. Supra Shoes are out of the ordinary due to their original shoes features and unique design. Supra Footwear is now available in hundreds of specialty online shop worldwide and still keeps its exclusivity with limited releases that keeps fans coming back for more season after season. Supra Sneakers Factory Direct! No Tax! Shop Now!

  13. Avatar
    exchange over 3 years later:

    Great ….I agree with you.Good Article by the way, I will be forwarding it onto my boss.

  14. Avatar
    fahad over 3 years later:

    Your Site is Very informative and designed nicely. If you are interested in please check this: Mobility Scooters please check this

  15. Avatar
    fahad over 3 years later:

    Your Site is Very informative and designed nicely. If you are interested in please check this: Mobility Scooters please check this

  16. Avatar
    Arc welder over 3 years later:

    Great site and I very much impressed with the title and I enjoyed a lot.

  17. Avatar
    oxpdffr over 3 years later:

    Excel en PDF Convertisseur s’installe dans votre ordinateur comme un imprimante virtuelle, il supporte convertir tous les formats imprimable en document PDF, tels que Excel(xls, xlsx), TXT, les images (JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, EMF, EWF, TIFF), etc, compatible avec Microsoft Office 2003/2007/2010. Huit formats de sortie : PS, EPS, PDF, PNG, JPEG, BMP, PCX, et TIFF, compatible avec Adobe Acrobat 9.0.Télécharger gratuitement Excel en PDF Convertisseur et expérimenter ce logiciel.

  18. Avatar
    incontinence supplies over 3 years later:

    This Idea of Magic Funnel is really Very Great. It can help us .. <a href=”http://www.allegromedical.com/incontinence-c525.html”> incontinence supplies

  19. Avatar
    <a href="http://www.allegromedical.com/incontinence-c525.html"> incontinence supplies </a> over 3 years later:

    Great Site the idea is Really good

  20. Avatar
    <a href="http://www.allegromedical.com/incontinence-c525.html"> incontinence supplies </a> over 3 years later:

    Great Site the idea is Really good

  21. Avatar
    lidia over 3 years later:

    Crown Holder Jeanslaunched as a diffusion line in 1981. Internationally renowned and oozing with quality and style, Cheap Crown Holder Jeans takes contemporary fashion to another level.From elegant and glamorous backless ball dresses to casual basics, Crown Holders Jeans dominates the world of designer fashion for the modern man.Mens Diesel Jeans is an Italian design company known best for its clothing which is aimed mainly to the adult market, especially the jeans. The new season Cheap Diesel Jeansare definitely the must buy pair of jeans this year. They incorporate a Straight cut design which are very casual and would compliment a smooth shirt and a pair of your favourite shoes tremendously well.Dolce Gabbana Jeans can be categorized under designer or casual wears and people of all age are overtly crazy about them. Color, texture, cut or wash- everything blends enormously well with the new-age fashion trend as well as the comfort quotient of a working man or woman. Teenagers and youngsters too can die for the Dolce And Gabbana MensJeans.

  22. Avatar
    backup iphone sms over 3 years later:

    Keep your Contacts and SMS safe! Actually, the contacts and SMS have more values than a cell phone’s own value. You can pay money to buy a new iPhone, but cannot buy your lost contacts and SMS back. So it’s important for you to backup your contacts and SMS in iPhone. And we recommend you backup contacts and SMS regularly. Our backup software can help you take a snapshot for your contacts and SMS. Your important personal information will be never lost.

  23. Avatar
    Pandora over 3 years later:

    the Earth is superimposed onto the motion of the rest of the planets. In this simulation you are riding on the Sun, and large planets make the Sun wobble.

  24. Avatar
    Bucharest Hotel over 3 years later:

    magic funnels are hard to come by. We approximate them with human beings in multi-disciplinary small groups. If we leave the funnel purely in the hands of operations, then operational stories are the first to come out.

  25. Avatar
    ames over 3 years later:

    OOoops, thank you but it is not as easy as it looks. Will try on it

  26. Avatar
    dephect over 3 years later:

    Its quiet hard to design the magic funnel. I have tried more than once and failed..hehe

  27. Avatar
    Silicone Molding over 3 years later:

    Mold making is the core business of Intertech (Taiwan). With world level technology, Intertech enjoys a very good reputation for making Injection Mold and Plastic Moldsfor their worldwide customers.

  28. Avatar
    Criminal Check over 3 years later:

    This is not just a matter of closing a contract or soothing an angry customer. It may be that the future is larger and brighter than our immediate concerns.

  29. Avatar
    Lori over 3 years later:

    Loved your post. It is sometimes hard to design a magic funnel but fun nontheless.

  30. Avatar
    accounting services over 3 years later:

    Great site and I very much impressed with the title and I enjoyed a lot.accounting services

  31. Avatar
    angel wind turbine over 3 years later:

    Building a wind turbine energy product is generally a exciting challenge

  32. Avatar
    http://www.myspainholidays.com/ over 3 years later:

    Very informative post. I was looking around for the information on this topic. Your post helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing.

  33. Avatar
    Criminal Records over 3 years later:

    Prioritizing is definitely one of the most difficult things to do effectively and efficiently so it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks so.

  34. Avatar
    Lauren over 3 years later:

    If a man put on a legging, he looks a little feminization. Somebody do not agree with this. They thought men also should be fashionable.

  35. Avatar
    IBS Symptoms over 3 years later:

    Very interesting please write more stories about it.

  36. Avatar
    dory over 3 years later:

    Great stuff from you. very useful information, thank you. Social Network

  37. Avatar
    Seobaglyak over 3 years later:

    a Seobaglyak igazán éjszaka érzik elemükben magukat. Szinte ”kétlaki” életet élnek. A Seobaglyak éjszaka sokkal éberebbek, és agresszívabbak, olyannyira, hogy olyankor saját fajtársaikat tartják a legnagyobb ellenségeiknek.

  38. Avatar
    jore over 3 years later:

    We also carry an assortment of bird feeders, bird baths and other accessories welcomWood Pellets Fuel

  39. Avatar
    Searchlight Rental Florida over 3 years later:

    LOL I have never heard it called the magic funnel. But, I have seen the battle over the development teams time take place hundreds of times. It always seems what ever comes out the magic funnel leaves everyone else scratching their head wondering why that specific project was chosen.

    Now we know why the “Magic Funnel” chose. Thanks for the laugh.

  40. Avatar
    okey oyunu oyna over 3 years later:

    great passage. Thanks

    internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.

  41. Avatar
    James S over 3 years later:

    Good post, i like it

  42. Avatar
    ford leveling kit over 3 years later:

    Great site and I very much impressed with the title and I enjoyed a lot.

  43. Avatar
    leveling kit ford over 3 years later:

    this is a good post ,you can have a it.thanks a lot.

  44. Avatar
    leveling kit f250 over 3 years later:

    Great site and I very much impressed with the title and I enjoyed a lot.

  45. Avatar
    f350 leveling kit over 3 years later:

    wow.. it so amazing.. its very interesting. i love it. thanks for sharing.

  46. Avatar
    canada goose sale over 3 years later:

    I learn more from this post. It’s very worth to red.

  47. Avatar
    NATIVE SHOES over 3 years later:

    Some community colleges and high-profile universities also offer academic programs not just for Native Americans, but people in the minority, including Asians, Latinos, and African-Americans. If you think you are eligible for minority scholarships, then do not hesitate to fill out the application forms. Sometimes, it is the fear of rejection that stops students from trying to fulfill their dreams. However there are numerous scholarships and opportunities to apply for them so you should avail of them at any chance.

  48. Avatar
    tony over 3 years later:

    Hah,that was really funny. I even ordered an essay paper on it.These online essay writers made an excellent essay for me. welcome to my air max eshop,thanks.

  49. Avatar
    ray ban outlet over 3 years later:

    The good news is that our ray ban outlet store offer 50% discount on our ray ban online goods,and will give you the lowest price and the high quality fake ray ban sunglasses.

  50. Avatar
    fiberoptics over 3 years later:

    Visit us & buy the best Fiber optic patch cord We will give you the best products and services. www.cnfiberoptics.com

    other website: www.nbcxat.com.cn www.anttools.com www.nb-jiahui.com www.dongmi-seals.com

  51. Avatar
    free books over 3 years later:

    free online books to download

  52. Avatar
    beats by dre store over 3 years later:

    to fulfill their dreams. However there are numerous scholarships and opportunities to apply for them so you should avail of them at any chance

  53. Avatar
    beats by dre store over 3 years later:

    fulfill their dreams. However there are numerous scholarships and opportunities to apply for them so you should avail of them at any chancehigh quality headphones new design headphones

  54. Avatar
    Diablo3 over 3 years later:

    Blog posts about wedding and bridal are always rare to find , at least with great quality,you qualify for a great blog post writer title,kep the great job happening

  55. Avatar
    badmintononline over 3 years later:

    Thank you for writing it.I like it very much.I look forward your new article,and welcome to our website.badmintononline

  56. Avatar
    african Mango dr oz over 3 years later:

    i think this can be bookmarked for future referenses , i think i could make use of this ,many thanks for the time you spend writing this , best regards for Canada

  57. Avatar
    Belstaff Jackets UK over 4 years later:

    Welcome to visit belstaff-jacket-uk.com. Our Belstaff website is specialized in fashionable and practical Belstaff Jackets and multi-purpose Belstaff Bags. Belstaff Womens Jackets bags are designed from the best material along with extremely ranked natural leather to be able to supply the excellent high quality for the customers. If you’re looking for the Belstaff Mens Jackets comfort and style, make sure you get yourself some Belstaff Jackets to complete your wardrobe. Now, http://www.belstaff-jacket-uk.com/ browsing our Belstaff UK Shop for more Newest Belstaff Jackets for Men and Women. Believe you can find and shop for the favorable Belstaff Leather Jaclets and Bags at low price with top quality. And also you can enjoy free shipping and no sale tax for all Belstaff items.

  58. Avatar
    Ashley Bowling over 4 years later:

    “What soberness conceals, Drunkenness reveals”

  59. Avatar
    christian louboutin over 4 years later:

    The professional design make you foot more comfortable. Even more tantalizing,this pattern make your legs look as long as you can,it will make you looked more attractive.Moveover,it has reasonable price.If you are a popular woman,do not miss it.

    Technical details of Christian Louboutin Velours Scrunch Suede Boots Coffee:

    Color: Coffee
Material: Suede
4(100mm) heel
Signature red sole x

    Fashion, delicate, luxurious Christian louboutins shoes on sale, one of its series is Christian Louboutin Tall Boots, is urbanism collocation. This Christian louboutins shoes design makes people new and refreshing. Red soles shoes is personality, your charm will be wonderful performance.

  60. Avatar
    tanyue123 over 4 years later:

    Theater Projector[/b][/url]The WF10 is the Hummer of home theater projectors-a big muscular machine with a big picture-not suitable for small rooms and small screens. Fan noise must … Projector 1080P[/b][/url]LCD Projector 1080PThen came the announcement on July 28-the industry’s first LCD-based 3D 1080p projector was on its way: the Panasonic PT-AE7000U. And a… more» … Projector Screen[/b][/url]Projector Screens by Da-Lite Screens. Projector Screen specials that include free shipping. Over 3000 … Da-Lite Manual Model B Projector Screen 70” x 70” ... Projector[/b][/url]Choose office projectors and meeting room projectors from InFocus and outfit your business or conference room with the latest in high-quality projection … VVME [url=http://www.vvme.com][b]HID Kits[/b][/a] Welcome to HID Kits, the world’s top retailer of HID lights & HID headlights. This week enjoy free shipping on all HID conversion kits, bulbs and ballasts within …

  61. Avatar
    tanyue123 over 4 years later:

    Home Theater ProjectorThe WF10 is the Hummer of home theater projectors-a big muscular machine with a big picture-not suitable for small rooms and small screens. Fan noise must … LCD Projector 1080PThen came the announcement on July 28-the industry’s first LCD-based 3D 1080p projector was on its way: the Panasonic PT-AE7000U. And a… more» … LCD Projector ScreenProjector Screens by Da-Lite Screens. Projector Screen specials that include free shipping. Over 3000 … Da-Lite Manual Model B Projector Screen 70” x 70” ... Office ProjectorChoose office projectors and meeting room projectors from InFocus and outfit your business or conference room with the latest in high-quality projection … VVME HID Kits Welcome to HID Kits, the world’s top retailer of HID lights & HID headlights. This week enjoy free shipping on all HID conversion kits, bulbs and ballasts within …

  62. Avatar
    tv show reviews over 4 years later:

    thanks you for the great post!

  63. Avatar
    ferragamo shoes over 4 years later:

    It is well known that [url=http://www.salvatoreferragamomens.com]ferragamo mens shoes[/url] are world famous for the great design and high quality. The [url=http://www.salvatoreferragamomens.com/mango-four-boat-c-2.html]ferragamo mango four boat[/url] is one of the classic [url=http://www.salvatoreferragamomens.com]ferragamo shoes[/url] that are hot now.

  64. Avatar
    ray ban over 4 years later:

    http://www.lclongchamp.com

  65. Avatar
    ray ban over 4 years later:

    http://www.womens-bags.org

  66. Avatar
    gucci scarf over 4 years later:

    dialogues with them.

  67. Avatar
    iPhone contacts backup over 4 years later:

    with iPhone contacts backup application. you can easily export the contacts on iPhone to computer or itunes easily. without too much trouble.

  68. Avatar
    iphone sms to mac backup over 4 years later:

    ??????

  69. Avatar
    Massagem Terapeutica over 4 years later:

    so you should avail of them at any chance

  70. Avatar
    youngbrown over 4 years later:

    Thanks for the information, I’ll visit the site again to get update information video games

  71. Avatar
    md5 decoder over 4 years later:

    This website is really admired for this info in this blog. I am very much satisfied by the info in this blog. Thank you very much for providing the great technology in this blog. I was really like it

  72. Avatar
    cheap hats over 4 years later:

    187 Thanks for the introduction! I am always reading your blog and only today I have spotted the post with introduction!z http://www.cheaphatsmart.com

  73. Avatar
    louboutin sales over 4 years later:

    The Magic Funnel 72 hoo,good article!!I like the post!69

  74. Avatar
    bladeless fans over 4 years later:

    The Magic Funnel 73 good post100

  75. Avatar
    rayban over 4 years later:

    ?????????????????????UV????????http://www.e-rayban.net/ ?? ??????????????????????

  76. Avatar
    cocaon over 4 years later:

    Company t-shirts are a great way to get your business known and give you a bit of free advertising as well?

  77. Avatar
    Uk Top Casino over 4 years later:

    This is providing the nice services in this TOP CASINO ROYALE blog that to using the amazing technology is visible in this Online Poker Sport blog. Thanks a lot for using the great info is visible in this Great Uk Casinos blog and the using the great approach is visible in this CASINO GAME SITE blog.

  78. Avatar
    TOP CASINO ROYALE over 4 years later:

    I had really loved this info and for providing the great technology is visible in this blog. This is really appreciate for using the nice approach and thanks a lot for providing the great info is visible in this blog.

  79. Avatar
    coupon hobby lobby over 4 years later:

    Je voudrais en savoir plus bientôt.

Comments