Is there any reference document to understand how WSJF is calculated in Jira Align?
Asked by Vinay Sharma:

Is there any reference document to understand how WSJF is calculated in Jira Align? Where do we input data related to:

- Cost of delay (i.e. Business User Value, Time Criticality, Risk Reduction and or Opportunity Enhancement)

- Job Duration (Job Size)

Pls. suggest.


Answers:
author: Peter Jessen
body: Hello [@Vinay Sharma](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1521468) ,

[@Robert Wen_ReleaseTEAM_](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3970316) is correct. The Scaled Agile Framework article ([WSJF - Scaled Agile Framework](https://www.scaledagileframework.com/wsjf/)) gives the best overall explanation in a single article. The original concept and model was developed and defined by Don Reinertsen in his book Principles of Product Development Flow.

Jira Align has a support article ([10X: Estimation Methods Overview -- Jira Align](https://help.jiraalign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000105974)) that explains the four dimensions in concise terms, as does the Jira Align Estimation grid itself.

The most important difference between WSJF and other estimation methods is that WSJF (when done in alignment with the best practices and theory) is a relative sizing of each dimension against the other items being sized. It is not an absolute measure, therefore each batch of features, capabilities, and/or epics is estimated against itself.

Regards,  
Peter

comments: author: Peter Jessen
body: [@Vinay Sharma](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1521468) ,

If you are asking (in your answer below) if the 4 values for WSJF are connected to other fields in Align, other than the WSJF estimation fields themselves, then the answer is no.

WSJF in Align is designed to be used independently of other fields. You can WSJF an individual epic or feature, or you can WSJF a group of epics or features in the Estimation area. Given the relative measurement aspect of WSJF, using the Estimation grid makes more sense than WSJFing individual features or epics in isolation.

You can certainly use Business Value and Feature Point Estimate as starting points for Business Value and Job Size.

The other two parameters - Time Criticality and RR/OE are not captured in any other unique fields in Align and therefore are unique to the WSJF calculation.

For WSJFing portfolio epics, if you are using the Benefits tab to capture the business case, you might be capturing TC and RR/OE in some of those fileds, but they will be part of the larger content and not unique fields.

Regards,  
Peter


author: Vinay Sharma
body: Thanks [@Peter Jessen](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3033143) [@Robert Wen_ReleaseTEAM_](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3970316) I am fully conversant with WSJF as per SAFe.

My question is which are the placeholders for the required parameters in Jira Align using those WSJF is calculated. For a Feature, we include "Business Value", Estimate (Feature Points), how about Time Criticality and Risk Reduction and or Opportunity Enhancement parameters. Could you please clarify.

comments: author: Robert Wen_ReleaseTEAM_
body: Vinay,

Have a look at the following reference for estimating features and selecting an estimation method. Once you select WSJF for your feature, you should see the following fields:

Business Value -\> User Business Value

Time Value-\> Time Criticality

RR/OE Value-\> Risk Reduction or Opportunity Enablement

Job Size-\>Job Size (Duration)

<https://help.jiraalign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000102373-10X-Estimate-Features>


author: Robert Wen_ReleaseTEAM_
body: Hello Vinay!

WSJF comes from the Scaled Agile Framework. Its reference document is here: <https://www.scaledagileframework.com/wsjf/?_ga=2.178886242.773634689.1637512871-238573180.1637348765>