Effective requirements management can make or break time-boxed projects. Ensure successful time-boxing by taking the time to define, clarify, and prioritize project requirements.

Requirements are Variable

Time-boxing is a well established project management tool that is used to limit project scope within a fixed time frame by only including functionality based on priority and time required to deliver. Time-boxing works when project timeline and resources are fixed, and where the desired functions and features are variable.

IT project managers have three key areas to manage in software development projects:

• Time. Schedule within which the project is to be completed.

• Scope. The function and features that the project must deliver. (Note that quality is tied into scope through requirements and is therefore already negotiable even though some believe quality is not negotiable).
• Cost. Budget within which the project is to be completed.

In time-boxed projects the timeline is fixed and resources are fixed. Therefore, scope...