Initiative Canvas

Define and plan your initiative.

Steps
10
Last edited
Nov 6, 2023
Created by
Nova

About this process

Define and plan your initiative. Define the goals of the initiative, include feedback mechanisms, write user stories, and define the success criteria.

The process in detail

10 steps
  1. 1

    Overview.

  2. 2

    Leadership + Stakeholders.

  3. 3

    Justification. (Why)

  4. 4

    Objective.

  5. 5

    User story + Acceptance criteria

  6. 6

    Values + Team rituals.

  7. 7

    Metrics.

  8. 8

    Initial Scope.

  9. 9

    Key constraints.

  10. 10

    Data & Analytics.

Read the full text
1. Overview.

😎 Describe the initiative/project or idea.

Provide a brief summary providing an overview of the epic’s goals, objectives, and desired outcomes.

•User persona: Identification of the primary user or target audience for whom the epic is intended.
•User Need or Problem: Clear articulation of the user’s pain point or need that the epic aims to address or solve.
Write a note
2. Leadership + Stakeholders.
•Who is leading this initiative? (Leader)
•Would you need to contact any experts? (1 or more)
3. Justification. (Why)
•A solution to a problem: What problem is being solved by the initiative/project/idea? What are the benefits of implementing the project: customers, employees, stakeholders? Why is this project needed now?
•Business Value: Explanation of how the epic aligns with the overall business strategy, goals, and value proposition. Also include: Costs, Returns, and Payback.
4. Objective.
•Objective: Define the objective and the desired outcome. (Metrics, High-Level Success Criteria and Validation plan)
•Assumptions and Risks.
•Also include: Dependencies. Identify any dependencies or prerequisites required for successful execution of the epic.
Write a note
5. User story + Acceptance criteria
•User story: As a [user type], I want to [functionality] so that [benefit]. Given [how things begin] when [action taken] then [outcome of taking action]. //or// As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal]. Given that [some context], when [some action is carried out], then [a set of observable outcomes should occur].
•Acceptance criteria.
•Priority: High, or Low
•Estimate: 3 months, 6 months, etc.
Write a note
6. Values + Team rituals.
•What values will guide the team and help them make decisions? How would suggestions to add changes be evaluates?What are the project's priorities?
•Are all stakeholder's priorities and values aligned for the project?

Team rituals.

What artifacts are created from the initiative/project that helps reinforce the project's goals? Celebrate its success? Support continual learning and growth?

7. Metrics.
•How will impact be evaluated? What methods will be used?
•Define a success criteria. (This can be provided as a check list with percentages)
Write a note
8. Initial Scope.

How would the project be structured? Are they any key milestones? Are we launching a beta version?

✅ Must-have list

📅 Provide dates.

Write a note
9. Key constraints.

What will influence decisions and possibilities to be closely considered in planning this initiative? Timeline, relationships, budget, governance, etc.

Add sticky notes inside the "can influence" and "beyond scope" section.

10. Data & Analytics.

What type of information will help you achieve your objectives and reach your desired outcome?

Add key highlight here and provide a list of links and resources.

New Board
  • User story As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
  • Initiative Canvas
  • Justification What problem is being solved by the project/initiative/idea? For who (user)?
  • Overview
  • Objective What is the objective?Desired outcomes. ( Business value, expected reward, ROI, etc)
  • Hypothesis, Assumptions & Risks
  • As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
  • As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
  • As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
  • As a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
  • Start typing...
  • User persona + User needs
  • Acceptance criteria Given [some context] when [some action is carried out] then [a set of observable outcomes should occur].
  • Start typing...
  • Start typing...
  • Start typing...
  • Team rituals and celebrations How do you celebrate success?When?
  • Values What values will guide the teaming and decision making process?
  • Metrics How do we measure success? [Success criteria] Validation Plan (What, When? How often?)
  • Start typing...
  • Leadership Who is leading this initiative?
  • Subject matter expertise?
  • Stakeholders Who are the project/initiative stakeholders? What are their priorities?
  • Priority
  • Estimate
  • Priority
  • Estimate
  • Priority
  • Estimate
  • Priority
  • Estimate
  • 2 days
  • Low
  • Low
  • Low
  • 5 days
  • High
  • 2 days
  • 4 days
  • Scope Definition of the boundaries and extent of the initiative/epic’s impact, specifying the features, functionalities, or areas of the product it will affect. How will the project be structured? Are they any milestones or versions?
  • Key constraints What will influence decisions and possibilities and needs to be closely considered in planning this initiative?
  • Data & Analytics
  • Must-Have
  • Can influence
  • Links to surveys, newspapers, research sessions, etc.
  • Requirement
  • Nice-Have
  • Beyond scope
  • Link to resources
  • Parking Lot: Opportunities/Asides/etc [Recommendation: Keep this organized by adding 1 or 2]
  • Timeline and Milestones Proposed timeline or milestones for the epic’s implementation and delivery.
  • Definition of done Definition of done for Developers and Product.
  • MM YYYY
  • MM YYYY
  • Activity or milestone
  • Timeline/Estimate
  • Add text
  • Cost of building
  • Add text
  • Return & Payback
  • Add text
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Created byNova·Official process
Last edited Nov 6, 2023·10 steps