Slack in Scheduling & Agile

 

⏲ No, this one is not referring to the slack collaboration tool 😊

⌛ Slack in Critical Path Method (CPM) — Schedule Management

1️⃣ Slack refers to the amount of time a task in a project can be delayed without delaying the project’s overall schedule.
2️⃣ It is a measure of scheduling flexibility.
3️⃣ This is also referred as Float.
4️⃣ Activities on the critical path have zero float because any delay in these activities will directly impact the project’s finish date.

⏳ Slack in Agile (Interesting 💪)

1️⃣ The practice of Slack Time in Extreme Programming (XP) is often overlooked and not deliberately incorporated into sprint planning as a safety measure.
2️⃣ It is intentionally allocated within an iteration to address uncertainties or engage in activities beneficial to the project or team.
3️⃣ During this time, teams have the flexibility to plan specific activities, which can be adjusted based on the prevailing circumstances.
4️⃣ The inclusion of Slack Time in a sprint allows individuals to dedicate time to valuable activities that contribute to the project or enhance team dynamics.

✍ Some activities that can be practiced during Slack time:

✳ Finish any unplanned simple bugs/enhancements quickly
✳ Refactoring of the code (To follow Architecture and Standards) — Love this 🍀
✳ Develop reusable components
✳ Reducing compiler warnings
✳ Automate any manual processes to save time etc.

Please share your thoughts !