Introduction: What You’ll Learn
Sometimes, product priorities can be a bit murky or shift unexpectedly. This simulation will help you navigate a planning session where the product direction isn't crystal clear, ensuring the team stays aligned and focused.
You’ll practice:
- Clarifying priorities with the product team
- Keeping the planning session productive
- Facilitating team discussions to resolve ambiguity
- Establishing clear next steps and responsibilities
Step-by-Step Simulation
Scene 1: Opening the Planning Session
Facilitator: "Morning, everyone. Today, we're planning our next sprint. I know there might be some fuzziness around our product priorities right now, so let's work through it together and get on the same page. I'll kick things off by talking about what we know so far."
Facilitator (as a product owner): "We have a few irons in the fire: the new user onboarding flow, performance optimizations, and some dashboard enhancements. I've been getting mixed signals on what's most urgent. Let's dive in."
Facilitator: "Jamie, could you give us an update from the product side?"
Scene 2: Product Team Update
Product Manager (Jamie): "Thanks, everyone. After chatting with stakeholders, it's clear that our users are really feeling the pinch from some performance issues. They were initially keen on the onboarding flow, but it seems performance might need to take the front seat. The dashboard stuff is still important but can simmer on the back burner for now."
Facilitator: "Got it. Sounds like we have some juggling to do. Let’s hear what everyone thinks, starting with Sara."
Scene 3: Team Discussion
Sara: "I’ve been knee-deep in the onboarding flow. While I get that performance is a hot topic, stopping now might throw us off our rhythm. Maybe we can keep it going on a smaller scale while tackling performance?"
Alex: "Agreed. Performance is crucial given the feedback, but I think we can keep some onboarding tasks going."
Priya: "I'm okay with pushing the dashboard work down the list, but I'll still keep an eye on the metrics."
Leo: "Yeah, I think we can juggle both performance and onboarding if we focus on what's most impactful."
Facilitator: "Thanks for sharing. Jamie, do we have any deadlines or expectations that could tip the scales here?"
Scene 4: Facilitating Clarity
Product Manager (Jamie): "Stakeholders are looking at a quarter-end timeline for performance improvements, but we have some leeway. Let's tackle the biggest performance pain points first and see where we stand in a couple of weeks."
Facilitator: "Perfect, let’s break down the performance tasks and assign who’s doing what. Sara, can you lead the charge on performance?"
Sara: "Yep, I’ll focus on the top issues."
Alex: "I’ll back Sara up and continue with code reviews for onboarding."
Priya: "I’ll keep tabs on the dashboards and pitch in where needed."
Leo: "I’ll wrap up my current onboarding tasks before shifting gears."
Scene 5: Wrapping Up
Facilitator: "Alright, we’ve got a plan. Quick recap: performance takes top billing, onboarding continues at a gentle pace, and we’ll keep an eye on the dashboards. Let’s jot these down and regroup mid-sprint to see how we’re doing."
Facilitator: "Thanks for all the input, everyone. I’ll update our sprint board and make sure tasks are clear. Feel free to reach out if anything changes."
Mini Roleplay Challenges
Challenge 1: Jamie mentions an additional priority from stakeholders.
- Best Response: “Let's note this down and make it a point to discuss in our next sprint review. We don’t want to stretch ourselves too thin.”
Challenge 2: A team member is unsure how to prioritize their tasks.
- Best Response: “Let's catch up after this session to align your tasks with the new priorities.”
Challenge 3: The team struggles to agree on priorities.
- Best Response: “Let’s focus on which tasks will have the biggest impact on our users right now.”
Optional Curveball Mode
- Stakeholders change priorities mid-sprint.
- A critical bug emerges that needs immediate attention.
- A new, unexpected project is introduced.
Practice maintaining clarity and focus despite these challenges.
Reflection Checklist
Clarity
- Did I ensure team alignment on priorities?
- Did I provide a clear summary and next steps?
Facilitation
- Did I help the team explore and resolve ambiguity?
- Was I receptive to team feedback and concerns?
Adaptability
- Did I handle shifts in priority without losing focus?
- Did I ensure tasks align with the latest priorities?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring team feedback on priorities
- Letting ambiguity linger without resolution
- Overcommitting the team due to unclear priorities
- Failing to adapt to changing priorities