MoSCoW Prioritisation

• Must Have – requirements fundamental to solution (Minimum Usable Subset)
• Should Have – requirements important to system
• Could Have – can do without in the short term
• Won’t have (this time) – will wait till later

 Why prioritise?

• Not enough time to do everything
• Not enough resources to do everything 
  • lack of money or lack of people (or both)
• MoSCoW means important things are done first

• Musts and Shoulds often deliver 80% of total business benefit
• MoSCoW priorities drive sequence of delivery
• Target is effort split 60% Must Have, 40% Shoulds and Coulds
  • Predictable and sustainable delivery