What does "WSJF" stand for in the context of SAFe?

WSJF stands for Weighted Shortest Job First, and it is a prioritization model used in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to help make decisions about which features or work items should be delivered first. The WSJF model considers two key factors: the cost of delay and the duration of the job.

Cost of delay is a critical term, as it represents the potential value that is lost when a particular job is delayed in its delivery. This can include revenue impact, customer satisfaction, and market competitiveness. The duration of the job refers to how long it will take to complete the work item.

By calculating the WSJF score by dividing the cost of delay by the job duration, teams can establish a ranking that guides decision-makers in selecting the most valuable work items to focus on, ultimately maximizing the return on investment and aligning work with strategic goals. The use of this model helps ensure that critical work with the highest impact is prioritized, fostering better alignment with business objectives and customer needs.