Adapted Stacey Matrix

Adapted Stacey Matrix
Image: Michael Maretzke, Agile-Minds

The adapted Stacey Matrix is a tool often used to assess the complexity of a project or decision-making situation. It helps teams determine the most appropriate methodologies or approaches based on the level of uncertainty in requirements and technical challenges.

Understanding the Adapted Stacey Matrix

The adapted Stacey Matrix categorizes situations into four zones based on the level of:

  • Agreement: How well-defined and agreed-upon the requirements are.
  • Certainty: How predictable and well-understood the technology or solutions are.

The four zones are:

  1. Simple (Close to Certainty and Agreement): Straightforward problems with clear solutions.
  2. Complicated: Problems that require expertise but are largely predictable.
    • In socially political environments where stakeholders can not agree, Waterfall may be the best solution to get clearance on WHY before WHAT before HOW.
    • That does not mean that down the road you couldn't switch to other technique.
  3. Complex: High uncertainty in requirements and/or technology, requiring exploration and adaptation.
  4. Chaotic: No clear agreement or certainty; immediate action is necessary to stabilize the situation.

Agilists tend to think of Waterfall as inferior because it:

  • lacks flexibility.
  • relies on upfront, fully defined requirements.
  • doesn't allow for frequent feedback loops, making it difficult to adapt to changing needs.
Waterfall isn't necessarily inferior. It's just not the best methodology when you do not have clear requirements.

Example Impact on Agile Teams

  1. Encourages Adaptive Practices:
    • For projects in the Complex zone, Agile's iterative and adaptive nature aligns well.
    • Teams can experiment, learn from feedback, and pivot as needed, reducing risk and improving outcomes.
  2. Guides Methodology Selection:
    • Simple and Complicated zones may benefit from frameworks where workflows are predictable and repeatable.
    • Complex zones require flexibility, making frameworks like Scrum, Lean Startup, or Design Thinking more suitable for ideation and discovery phases.
  3. Facilitates Team Alignment:
    • Testers receive the feature later than expected, reducing the time available for thorough testing within the Sprint.
  4. Improves Decision-Making:
    • By plotting projects on the adapted Stacey Matrix, Agile teams can identify the right level of autonomy and leadership involvement.
    • For instance:
      • Simple tasks may need minimal oversight
      • Complex tasks require collaborative decision-making and regular retrospectives.
  5. Promotes Experimentation and Innovation:
    • In the Complex zone, teams are encouraged to test hypotheses through short cycles (e.g., Sprints). This reduces fear of failure and fosters innovation.
  6. Avoids Over-Engineering
    • For projects in the Simple or Complicated zones, the matrix helps Agile teams avoid applying overly sophisticated processes, saving time and resources.

Challenges in Agile Application

  1. Transition between zones:
    • Projects can shift zones during execution. Teams need to remain vigilant and adapt their approach if complexity increases.
  2. Over-reliance on tools:
    • While the adapted Stacey Matrix provides clarity, excessive dependence might stifle intuition and creativity.

Summary

In essence, the adapted Stacey Matrix serves as a lens through which Agile teams can better navigate complexity, ensuring that the chosen approach aligns with the specific needs of the project or challenge.