In 2025, "agility" isn't just a buzzword; it’s a survival requirement 🧬. With shrinking delivery windows and increasing market volatility, the ability to align diverse stakeholders on what truly matters is the difference between a successful launch and a bloated failure 📉.
At Quikest, we’ve seen that the most effective way to navigate these high-stakes conversations is through the MoSCoW method.
What is the MoSCoW Method? 🔍
The MoSCoW method is a prioritization framework designed to reach a common understanding with stakeholders on the importance of individual agile requirements. The acronym stands for four distinct categories:
- M – Must Have ✅
- S – Should Have ⚠️
- C – Could Have ✨
- W – Won’t Have (this time) 🛑
The Breakdown: Must Have vs. Should Have (and Beyond) 🛠️
Understanding the nuance between these categories is where the real tactical advantage lies. Here is how we define them at Quikest to ensure project success.
1. Must Haves (Non-Negotiables) 🥇
These are the "minimum usable subset" of requirements. Without these, the project is a failure.
- Criteria: Is there a workaround? If the answer is "no," it’s a Must Have.
- 2025 Context: Includes critical security patches, legal compliance (GDPR/AI Act), and core functional pillars 🔐.
2. Should Haves (Important, but not Vital) 🥈
These are high-priority items that add significant value but aren't strictly necessary for a "Version 1.0."
- The Litmus Test: If left out, the product is still viable, though it may be "painful" or require a temporary manual workaround 🩹.
3. Could Haves (The "Nice-to-Haves") 🥉
These are small enhancements or "delighters" that are desirable but have a lower impact if left out.
- The Rule: These are the first to be cut if the timeline or budget is squeezed ✂️.
4. Won’t Have (Managing the Future) ⏳
This category is the most powerful for managing stakeholder expectations. It explicitly defines what is out of scope for the current cycle.
- Benefit: It prevents scope creep by documenting that an idea is recognized but deferred to a later date 📝.
Tactical 2025: Why MoSCoW is Vital for Stakeholders 🤝
Stakeholders in 2025 are data-driven and expect transparency. The MoSCoW method provides a shared language that bridges the gap between technical teams and executive leadership 🌉.
When planning a project using the MoSCoW prioritization method, the Must Haves represent the core of the release, taking up a maximum of 60% of the effort allocation. This category forms the "guaranteed delivery" promise to stakeholders. To provide a buffer for the primary goals, Should Haves are allocated 20% of the effort; these features are considered highly likely to be included, though they remain subject to the available project buffer.
The remaining 20% of effort is reserved for Could Haves, which serve as the team’s stretch goals that will be tackled only if efficiency allows for extra capacity. Finally, Won't Haves receive 0% effort allocation for the current cycle; these items are explicitly noted for the future roadmap but are considered out of scope for the immediate delivery.
3 Tips for MoSCoW Success at Quikest 💡
- Beware of "Must-Have" Bloat: If more than 60% of your requirements are Must-Haves, you aren't prioritizing—you're wishlisting 📋. Force the tough conversations early.
- Use the "Workaround" Question: Ask stakeholders, "If we didn't ship this today, how would the user solve the problem?" If a manual process exists, it might be a Should Have 🔄.
- Link to OKRs: In 2025, every requirement should map back to a business Objective and Key Result. If a feature doesn't move the needle on a KPI, it's likely a Won't Have 📈.
Final Thoughts 💭
The MoSCoW method isn't about saying "no"; it's about saying "not now" so that you can say "yes" to the things that matter most. At Quikest, we use this framework to build trust, protect our developers' time, and deliver products that meet the moment 🌟.
