Now Reading: A MoSCoW Case Study: A Real-World Example
-
01
A MoSCoW Case Study: A Real-World Example
A MoSCoW Case Study: A Real-World Example
Understanding a prioritization framework in theory is one thing, but seeing it in action can make all the difference. This case study walks you through the application of the MoSCoW framework for a hypothetical project: “The CoffeeBean Mobile App,” a new app for a popular local cafe to streamline customer orders and loyalty rewards.
Phase 1: The "Must Haves"
The “Must Have” category defines the non-negotiable features essential for the app’s first launch. Without these, the app would fail to meet its core purpose. The team identified the following features as “Must Haves”:
User Registration and Login: Users must be able to create an account and log in securely to access their information. This is foundational to the entire app experience.
Menu Browsing: The core purpose of the app is to allow customers to view the full menu. This includes categories, item descriptions, and pricing.
Order Placement: Users must be able to select items and place an order for either pickup or delivery. This is the primary function of the app.
Payment Processing: The app must support secure payments via credit card or other digital wallets to complete a transaction.
Order Confirmation and Status: After placing an order, users need to receive a confirmation and be able to track its status (e.g., “In Progress,” “Ready for Pickup”).
Phase 2: The "Should Haves"
“Should Have” features add significant value but are not critical for the initial release. They enhance the user experience and can be a part of the next iteration.
- Loyalty and Rewards Program Integration: While important for customer retention, this could be added in a later update. The initial app can function without it.
- Order History: Users will want to view their past orders, but this is not essential for the first version.
- Push Notifications: Alerts for order status or special promotions are highly valuable but can be delayed until the core functionality is proven.
Phase 3: The "Could Haves"
“Could Have” features are the nice-to-haves. These are low-priority items that will only be implemented if there is a surplus of time or resources. They typically have a lower impact on the overall business goals.
Social Sharing of Orders: Allowing users to share their coffee order on social media is a fun feature but has no impact on the core function of the app.
Personalized Drink Recommendations: Using user data to suggest drinks is a complex feature that can be considered much later.
Phase 4: The "Won't Haves"
The “Won’t Have” list is crucial for preventing scope creep. These items are explicitly out of scope for the current phase and will not be worked on.
In-App Chat Support: While customer support is important, initial support can be handled via email or phone. In-app chat is a complex feature that would require significant resources.
Customizable User Avatars: This is a purely cosmetic feature that offers no business value for the initial launch.