Denis Cercasin
🧠MoSCoW Prioritization Method
In the context of our limited time and small team size, we needed a practical and well-known method to categorize and prioritize tasks effectively. To avoid overcommitting and to focus on delivering a strong MVP, we adopted the MoSCoW Prioritization Method. This helped us clearly distinguish between critical features and those that could be postponed or dropped entirely.
What is MoSCoW Method?
The MoSCoW method is a prioritization matrix widely used in project management and software development. The term MoSCoW is an acronym that stands for Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have, each denoting a level of priority.
Here is the breakdown of the MoSCoW method:
Must have: These are critical requirements that the project cannot be completed without them. If these are not fulfilled, the project is considered a failure. Should have: These are important but not critical features of a project, and these are high-priority items that are not as time-sensitive as the Must-haves. Could have: These are desirable features that do not affect the overall project’s success. Therefore, they can be included if time and resources permit. Won’t have: These features are the lowest priority or are not necessary for the current delivery cycle. They are agreed upon and recognized but are dropped for the project’s current timeline.