Community Discussion: Using Flow Distribution & Metrics in PI/Quarterly Planning
Hi Viz Community!
As many of us prepare for upcoming PI/Quarterly planning, let's discuss how you're using Flow Distribution and Flow Metrics to inform your planning decisions. The Flow Framework
guidance provides recommendations for balancing Features, Defects, Risk, and Debt investments, but we'd love to hear how you're applying these in practice during your planning events.
Please see the attached PDFs for Guidance on how to use Flow Metrics in Quarterly Planning as well as how to plan/balance Flow Distribution.
Some key discussion areas:
- How do you use Flow metrics to set PI objectives?
- What role does Flow Distribution play in capacity planning?
- How do you balance planned vs unplanned work in your PI commitments?
- What data do you present to stakeholders during PI planning?
Share your experiences:
- How do you adjust distribution targets for different PIs based on business needs?
- What Flow metrics have proven most valuable in planning discussions?
- How do you handle Flow debt allocation across teams?
- What visualization techniques work best for stakeholder communication?
Real examples particularly welcome:
- Planning session formats that worked well
- Successful stakeholder presentations
- Lessons learned from previous PIs
- Tools and templates you've developed
Reference the Flow Distribution and Flow Distribution Target guidance attached
Share your approaches below
Learn from other organizations
Whether you're new to using Flow metrics in PI planning or have an established process, your insights could help others improve their planning practices!
The latest version and updates to the attached Flow Methodology article are available on the Customer Success Center here and here.